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I don’t know about you, but I love talking to retired LEOs.

I like hearing the stories of how it used to be, and the challenges they faced that are so foreign to me. I also like to get their perspective on how to succeed in the job, both personally and professionally. What better way to learn how to keep your sanity through this nonsense then to ask someone who did it.

The guest for this episode is Ed Aceves. Ed is the newly retired Chief of Police of La Mesa, California. La Mesa is a town of about 60,000 people bordering the city of San Diego on two sides. Ed is a bit of a rarity these days in that he rose through the ranks of La Mesa to become chief, having started there as a reserve in 1985.

Cops love side jobs, and Ed is now exception. Despite retirement and his ability to pull down a well-deserved pension for 30 years of service, Ed is now the Law Enforcement Liaison for Rx Smart Gear. If that name is familiar, it’s because you either have, or want, one of their awesome jump ropes. In his spare time, Ed travels to department’s on RX’s “Donuts for Double Unders” tour teaching jump rope skills at agencies and boxes around the country.

Ed obviously has a commitment to fitness and he survived a long career relatively unscathed. In this episode we talk about a wide variety of topics.

  • How he works to find a balance between family life and his professional career.
  • His lifelong commitment to fitness and how he brought that passion to the department.
  • His efforts to develop a physical-fitness program for his officer.
  • His advice and opinions on leadership in policing.
  • How to have a successful career, however you define that.
  • The one thing that has kept him grounded and focused for his entire career.
  • How to handle adversity as a leader.

It’s a great conversation with someone who knows what they’re talking about, and is passionate about helping cops lead healthy lives. Ed is a cop’s cop. That might be the highest compliment you can give someone in a command position.

Rx Smart Gear is very friendly to law enforcement. In fact, one of their sponsored Games athletes is Deputy Sheriff Jon Pera, who not only competed at the 2015 Games, but did it while holding down a full-time job.

I’ve been using the “Buff” weighted cable of Rx jump rope for the past 18 months and it’s the only reason I’m starting to get double unders. If you’re struggling with double unders, or just want to add some swag to your gym bag, check ’em out. As far as I know, it’s the only rope company that customizes the length and weight of the rope.

To support the listeners of this show, Rx Smart Gear is offering 15% off any jump rope order to listeners of the show. Use the coupon code SQUADROOM15 at checkout to get hooked up.

(Note: There’s no sponsorship here from Rx. I just love their product, their company and who they choose to associate with. At a time when professional athletes in some sports double as convicted felons, its awesome to see a company so supportive of law enforcement.).

Be safe, and take care of each other.

Garrett