Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with Rob Hollingsworth, one of the very first people I sat down with on an Instagram LIVE, to chat about his transition out of Law Enforcement in March 2023. A LOT has happened since that first chat, so we sat down to record an actual podcast episode.

Rob is a Navy Veteran and prior LEO turned entrepreneur, who's also a husband and father to three littles.

Rob spent a majority of his four years with the Navy deployed overseas and shortly after getting out of the Navy, started his police career with the Henderson, NV PD. After approximately three years, he lateral transferred to Tacoma PD. After approximately three years, children had entered the picture, 2020 happened, and he'd watched co-workers be criminally charged for doing their jobs. He started thinking a 20+ year career was not for him. His wife, although always supportive of his career, even made a comment about she wouldn't mind if he did something else.

After approximately one year of thinking about leaving the only job he wanted, he decided he couldn't keep putting his family through what the past few years had been like for LEOs. He and He knew he wasn't a 9-5 type person, and after struggling for 6-12 months, started his first company and has since created several opportunities for himself.

Make sure you connect with Rob on LinkedIn and Instagram.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with Katie Robert's, a LEOW who received a call no law enforcement spouse wants to receive and has spent the past few years fighting for her husband to not only get the care he deserves after a near fatal crash on duty, but for his disability to be approved. Contrary to what so many think...just because the medical retirement has gone through...the fight is NOT over.

This is a video of the crash her husband, Jeremy, was in on his department motorcycle...shared with her permission. It is hard to watch and will serve as a reminder that this job AND this life...could be gone in an instant.

Jeremy's life was spared that day and one day, the purpose of all the pain and struggle will be revealed.

Katie shares about not only getting the call from a civilian who stopped to help Jeremy, but how she had to find a place for her 5 month old, going to the scene only to find out Jeremy had already been transported, seeing him in the hospital, being judged for not crying enough, realizing the only family you have is the one under YOUR roof, seeing the man you love need help with EVERYTHING, and the BATTLE that is work comp/disability claims and medical retirement.

None of the stuff she shares is unique to their story. It is happening EVERY SINGLE DAY, across the country, often leaving those struggling feeling like they are alone. You are NOT alone.

This is a process that MUST be fixed, as it only adds insult to injury for these officers who so faithfully serve, yet feel forgotten about and left out to dry by the "family" they were promised in the academy.

Every state has their own work comp laws and oftentimes, departments feel their hands are tied when it comes to checking in on those who are off on injury. I encourage you to educate yourself of your state's work comp laws, find out if there is anything special regarding first responders, and if you've fought through the process...take the fight to your local representatives.

Department leaders...there is NO rule against checking in on your members while they are off. They are human beings, often facing a combination of mental AND physical injuries, due to the situation. A text, FaceTime, call, or visit can go a LONG way with letting them know they are NOT alone in their time of need.

Sergeants...these are YOUR people, no longer taking up a seat in roll call. You see that empty spot EVERY SHIFT. Reach out to check on your people and make sure you're checking on the ones still there...maybe struggling with the absence of their shift mate! ASK your people what they need and how they want to be supported. A little effort goes a LONG way!

You can connect with Katie on Instagram, here.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

In this week's episode, I share 3 things you must have/do if you are serious about transitioning out of law enforcement and they are based on the NUMEROUS conversations I have each week, with people telling me they are looking to transition and want to know what to do. First things first...I can't answer that, ONLY you can...BUT I will have some questions for you to help you gain some clarity.

The first two questions I ask almost every single person who reaches out with a generic message about transitioning and what to do, is...

1. WHY do you want to get out of LE? Not the surface level answer...the deep rooted reason why you're choosing to leave this career.

2. WHEN are you looking to make the transition?

For the first question...I often get a story about how the department has done x, y, or z to them...or they're just tired of the job being politicized...or how they just don't see themselves going another 15+ years.

For the second question...I often get something like, "Yesterday," or ASAP or "I retire next month," or "I don't really have a timeframe in mind."

Not only are those first two reasons for leaving (or any variation of something similar) based on EXTERNAL factors...ALL of those answers NEED to be far more specific.

If you don't know the DEEP rooted reason why you are leaving law enforcement...you will NEVER make it through the tough shit that comes at you throughout this transition period. You will give up and just stay stuck in the rut you're in.

We've all heard the, "a goal without a deadline is just a dream," phrase before...it's TRUE! If you don't set a deadline for yourself, there is no sense of urgency and no incentive to DO THE WORK it takes to make the transition happen.

Once you have a SPECIFIC timeframe nailed down...you also need to work on your mindset AND building your network for the future. Our life is only ever as good as our mindset and many of us get pretty jaded, cynical, and burned out prior to leaving. THAT has to be worked on EVERY SINGLE DAY and is much easier to do, when surrounded by the RIGHT people.

Far too often, we stay stuck and can't see outside of our reality and current circle/circumstances...but there are 7+ BILLION people in the world! You MUST put yourself out there and in a position to meet these people who you would never otherwise meet. Social media is a GOLD MINE...but ONLY if you allow it to be. Take responsibility for who is allowed in your space, talk about the things that matter to you, build your network full of people who will talk about you in rooms you're not in, to give you opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have.

If you're DONE feeling stuck, like you're "Just a cop," and you're SERIOUS about transitioning out of law enforcement THIS year...you NEED to join us in Next Shift Academy and let us help you find the CLARITY to gain the CONFIDENCE needed to take ACTION toward your Next Shift.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a chat with John Benjamin Jones. John is a retired Senior Air Marshal and former US Navy combat veteran...as well as the author of A Higher Calling: A biblical guide for first responders, military, and veterans and co-author of the undergraduate textbook, The Fundamentals of Security Management: A Common Sense Approach.

John spent almost 30 years in public service and now uses his experiences to be an advocate for first responders and veterans.

John endured a lengthly medical retirement process after he was diagnosed with a brain bleed that would not allow him to continue flying. Once his retirement process was complete, John went into the financial industry as a financial services rep and as of the date of this recording, was working on obtaining his RICP certification, which would allow him to also sell insurance.

Make sure you connect with John on LinkedIn and check out his website, here.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

The reflection every cop needs: Identity, Purpose & What’s Next

Turning 40 has a way of making you reflect, and in this episode, I’m taking you through my own journey—19 years in and around law enforcement, losing my career at 10 years in due to injury, and spending two years in a dark place before finally figuring out who I was beyond the job...and still figuring it out!

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure of what’s next, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through key exercises to help you:

✔️ Evaluate where you are and where YOU actually want to be
✔️ Define who you are beyond the badge
✔️ Identify the shifts you need to make to build the life you want
✔️ Recognize the lessons from your life/career that've shaped you

You don’t have to do this alone. These exercises CAN be hard and can create new concerns for us...but they are worth it! The sooner we become self-aware, the better we get...both on and off the job. We stop seeing obstacles and instead see opportunities!

Next Shift Academy is here to support you—because life after law enforcement isn’t the end. It’s a new beginning. Many of us on the inside have been there, done that when it comes to navigating this transition and leaning on self-awareness to get us where we are today. Join us and let us help you become the person you want to be.

Take a listen, do the exercises, and if you need a team in your corner, come join us inside Next Shift Academy.

I'd love to hear your feedback on these exercises and any lightbulb moments you had! Share the episode to your social media, with your reflections and tag me...or simply message me on social or text the show!

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a conversation with Paul Collette, a retired US Probation Officer and Veteran Navy Reservist, who started his career at NYPD and is now an Addiction Recovery Expert. Paul is also a consultant and instructor on sensitive national policy and high risk investigations.

Paul shares what it was like to get into NYPD in the early 90s and why he decided to move to to Federal law enforcement, with US Probation. He became a "Sex Offender Specialist" and it eventually took a toll on him and his mental health, as well as his family.

Like so many have experienced...when Paul decided to step down after eight years of working with sex offenders due to severe burnout, no one checked in on him and he was shocked. He used the step down in rank to focus on getting his Master's Degree in Addiction Counseling.

Paul talks about living and breathing Federal LE and embracing life as an entrepreneur. He didn't know a life like this existed and has been pleasantly surprised at how many skills from LE translated into entrepreneurship.

When asked what he thinks his new purpose was, he answered that he wanted to embrace the NEW version of himself and be a guide for others.

Make sure to connect with Paul on LinkedIn, here.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a crash course on all things Next Shift Academy.

I don't know how I JUST realized I've never broken it down, anywhere other than social media...which may not be seen by more than 10% of my network, EVER...and those on my e-mail list get occasional e-mails about it, so I figured I would break it down here.

When I first started doing market research for Next Shift...one of the most common answers to "what would have made the transition easier" and "what resources would have been helpful," were..."others to talk to who had been through it," and "either video trainings or something like an academy."

Well, two years later...Next Shift Academy was born and it is not only a place that allows you to network with those who have been there, done that...but also those right alongside you...AND there are LIVE calls each week for us to all come together and learn from/teach each other. You are NOT alone and you are NOT "just a cop," WE are here to remind you of that!

There are DAILY posts to encourage reflection and engagement from members, WEEKLY zoom calls called SHIFT Sessions on topics meant to encourage mindset/perspective shifts, BI-WEEKLY power hour calls to work on what you did not make time for throughout the week and have some accountability, and there are MONTHLY week long challenges to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and create accountability.

Next Shift Academy is for anyone looking to transition out of LE within the next year (NOW is the time), those struggling with the transition (making it happen or after/adjusting to civilian life), and even those who want to lay the foundation of what life after LE can look like, NOW and be prepared for the unexpected.

You can join us, here.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift

Send us a text

This week's episode is a reminder to never forget where you come from...you might end up back there...in a NEW way!

I loved this chat with Mario Tonzelli, a prior LEO turned Regional VP of Contract Security...who's also a husband and a father.

Mario's story is incredible and showcases a full circle career! As a teenager, he worked as a security guard for his current company...then he got into music and eventually fell out of love with it, decided to go the CJ route in college, ended up serving six years as a Capitol Police Officer, then eight years as a Railroad Police Officer, and unexpectedly transitioned out, due to a layoff (with a new baby at home), and is now the Regional VP of his current company.

Mario highlights the importance of networking, especially with organizations like ASIS, which helped him land his first role after being laid off, within THREE months! Mario is the epitome of leaning into the discomfort and making shit happen! His resilience shows through in MULTIPLE parts of his story.

Mario also talks about the importance of communication and treating your relationship like a partnership, because that is exactly what it is. This transition...planned or not...affects everyone in the family.

Make sure you connect with Mario on LinkedIn.

If you're looking for a place to network, but aren't even sure what direction to go in, YET...join us in Next Shift Academy and get direct access to those preparing for, going through, and embracing their transition to life after law enforcement. You will not only be able to create genuine connections with other members, making them more willing to introduce you to their networks...you will be able to prepare for and navigate this transition alongside others. You are NOT alone.

If you haven't already...make sure you follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @_nextshift_ AND @the_jessflores

If this podcast resonates with you or you feel like it could help someone else, please feel free to share it with them and/or on your social media platforms...but be sure to tag me so I can personally say THANK YOU!

Be sure to subscribe by clicking the + sign at the top and if you feel called to do so, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review.

See you Next Shift