Jamie Villamor Q&A: Shooting, SWAT Team Training, and Cosmopolitan Covers

Jamie Villamor has traveled the world as a model and doing what she does best: shooting for the USA.

If Jamie Villamor looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen the shooting star on your local magazine stand.

The 38-year old from Las Vegas, Nevada, has sat down to speak to Hook & Barrel rather than her two million Instagram followers, giving a fascinating insight into her childhood, modeling career and shooting adventures.

Currently living out of a suitcase, Jamie - found at @jamie_villamor - travels the world following her outdoors dream and has proven that she is a model who is not to be messed with.

Martial Arts, Modeling and Macy's

Hook & Barrel: Tell me about growing up in Las Vegas and your involvement in martial arts.

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Jamie Villamor: I started training in Taekwondo when I was five. I earned my blackbelt when I was 12 - I was one of the youngest female black belts - and I continued my training until I was 17.

Martial arts instilled a level of discipline that has carried on in anything and everything I’ve done in my life, and I’m so grateful for that. I competed all the time.

That’s how I got into modeling - I was discovered at a tournament, got my first commercial, and walked in a runway show for Macy’s. I was such a tomboy growing up. I never really sought out the modeling. It’s like something that found me.

H&B: You’ve become a very successful model. How many covers have you shot?

JV: I’ve done more than 20 covers. Getting the call from Cosmopolitan was super exciting. One of my favorite cover shoots was for Marie Claire, and I recently shot a cover for Glamour, and they used my boyfriend as the male model. I loved working with him.

From the Catwalk to the Shooting Range

H&B: Who or what inspired you to get into competitive shooting?

JV: Shooting is something else that I didn’t seek out, but an opportunity presented itself. When I first tried it, I was terrible. A trainer told me that some people shouldn’t shoot guns, and I was one of them. But that criticism was my motivation to be serious and get better.

So, I found another instructor, JJ Racaza, who’s one of the top shooters in the world. I walked into a gun shop, and he just happened to be there. We struck up a conversation, and when I got home, I looked him up and realized who he was.

I reached out and asked if he would train me, and he immediately said, ‘100 percent, meet me on the range tomorrow.’ I did get better, and from there, I decided to explore competitive shooting, picked up a few sponsors, and here I am seven years later.

H&B: You’re currently preparing for the 2025 IPSC PCC World Shoot in the Czech Republic. Tell us about your training, the competition, and what goals you’ve set for yourself.

JV: I’m shooting on the ladies’ mini-rifle team - it’s a team of four women who are representing the United States, and we’re definitely going for the gold. We’re all training very hard. We all have areas where we are proficient, so it’s been really fun working together as a team.

Shooting is usually such an individual sport, so it’s been nice to have teammates to rely on. But when I do train alone, I go to my home range in Las Vegas, Range 702. It’s hands down the best indoor training range anywhere in the world.

First Shoot and Favorite Gun

H&B: Tell us about your very first shooting experience.

JV: I had a little experience growing up because my dad was a hunter. I had my first BB gun when I was five. But I credit JJ (Racaza) for being the first person to take me to the range.

I’ve had the opportunity to train with some of our military - SEAL Team guys, Delta guys, Israeli special forces. I’ve trained with some law enforcement SWAT Team members. I love kicking in doors and blowing stuff up!

H&B: What is your favorite gun to shoot, and what is your favorite gun that you own?

JV: I say it’s like asking if I have a favorite child. I love them all for different reasons. Any AR platform is always fun to shoot. I’m shooting a JP Enterprises rifle, so I’ve been training with them. They built my World Shoot rifle. My everyday carry is a GLOCK, and I have a Barrett .50 that’s fun to bring out—but I love all my guns! By the way, I’m always stocked with my favorite Brass Kisses ammo.

Breaking into Podcasting and Instagram

H&B: You have your own business, you’re podcasting - how do you do it all?

JV: I started Vegas Bows in 2014. At the time, my girls (Villamor has three daughters) were in competitive cheer. We would go to these competitions, and they’d want to buy these bows that were $35 each and up. I thought to myself, I can do this.

I started customizing and creating these bows. I started using high-end fabrics, got an account with Swarovski, and started adding Swarovski crystals to the bows, turning a $35 bow into a $85 bow. I had no idea it would take off like it did. The business took off, and it continues to do well to this day - we ship all over the world.

I started podcasting about six years ago. I was asked to co-host a dating podcast, and that show ended up taking off. Then I decided to do my own spinoff show called Always on Adventures with my boyfriend Jon, showcasing our travel and the adventures we go on.

H&B: On that subject, what are your favorite travel destinations?

JV: We like to stay at a place called Tiny Camp in Sedona, Arizona. I love the mountains, the hiking, and the natural beauty there. But Hawaii is one of my all-time favorite places to visit and explore.

H&B: Do you ever do any hunting?

JV: I recently started shooting a bow, and I’d like to get more into that. I really admire bowhunters. I think that’s going to be my next endeavor. I have also hunted Axis deer in Maui.

H&B: You have almost 2 million followers on Instagram. How has social media affected your business and career success?

JV: I was a little late to the social media game, but it was cool when I jumped into Instagram, and my fans found me. It’s introduced me to a totally new audience.

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