The Mingle: Openness to Experience Interviews, the Alumni

The Mingle: Openness to Experience Interviews, the Alumni

In May, I attended The Mingle: Openness to Experience for the second time. This weekend event, put on by Shelley Hill of The Complete Combatant, is by invitation only to women in the firearms industry. Prior to getting together with the other 69 women, I reached out to a few new timers and seasoned alumni (2026 marks the 10th anniversary) with a few questions and then followed up with them afterward. Read on in part one of this series to find out why The Mingle alumni – Stacy Dawson and Angela Humphries – think this is such an amazing event that brings many women together year after year.

Pre-Mingle Questions

1. What aspect of the Mingle makes you keep coming back?

Stacy Dawson: I keep coming back to The Mingle for several reasons:

• This is a fantastic, one-of-a-kind event.





• The ladies I have met and the friendships I have made here are one of the main reasons I make it a priority to come to The Mingle. Those relationships have continued and grown over the past few years.





• The training we receive during this event is top-tier; the instructors are nationally recognized and people you want to train with. You have Rangemaster and Active Self Protection instructors, people like Claude Werner, Lee Weems and the Hauptmans from Phlster, to name a few. I would be crazy to pass up these learning opportunities.





• The event itself is EXTREMELY well-organized and runs like a well-oiled machine. Shelley and Brian are meticulous about safety and Shelley is a whirlwind of joy and happiness. She makes you want to be a part of anything she is involved with.





• The Mingle is FUN!!!





• Bonus: I get my Shelley hug.

Angela Humphries: The accountability and encouragement to grow and reach that I get from the instructors. Also the encouragement to be the best version of myself. Plus, it’s a supportive environment for female firearms instructors.

2. What do you hope to get out of the Mingle this year?

Stacy Dawson: There are so many reasons I’m eager to attend this year.

• Re-connecting with my friends, enjoying the camaraderie, making more connections and friendships and more training, of course!





• I am really excited about all of the training blocks and, of course, getting to try out the HK models I haven’t used yet.





• I missed Tim Reedy’s “Kilt in the Streets” at Tac-Con, so I’m super excited to take it here.





• I’ve been wanting to take Brian’s “Inner Game of Shooting” class, so I’m looking forward to getting a taste of it!





• I am also hoping to pick up some tips, tricks and nuggets to take back and pass on to the ladies in our Armed Women of America chapter. They are always so excited when, as instructors, we take a class and share what we learned.

Angela Humphries: Encouragement and accountability to get back on track after lots of medical problems and little practice.

Stacy’s nails with sporting The Mingle colors.

After the Mingle

1. Now that the Mingle is over, what would you say to alumni who haven’t attended lately, to convince them to come back?

Stacy Dawson: I would tell alumni who haven’t been to The Mingle in a while about all the fun and excellent training they are missing. I would remind them that The Mingle is a safe place to step outside of your comfort zone, try something new and think outside of the box with people who will go out of their way to ensure that you succeed.

Angela Humphries: That each year is different, and it’s an excellent opportunity to refresh themselves and their skills.

Angela on the H&K Range

2. What is one nugget of information (of the probably many) that you are going to incorporate into your training/lifestyle? 

Stacy Dawson: One knowledge nugget I will incorporate into my training is to “be present.” Brian gave us excellent examples of how to “be present” during our training.

Angela Humphries: I’m going to get back into competing. I’m going to practice what we did with Brian and read Claude’s books. It’s so important for female instructors to grow and teach other females. We’re hugely underrepresented. So many male instructors look intimidating, especially with all the tactical gear.

Keep an eye out for part two of this series about The Mingle. 

Source: The Mingle: Openness to Experience Interviews, the Alumni