"Put the F*cking papers in!" Realizing when enough is enough.

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This week's episode is a convo with Tony Baumgart, retired LEO, who is actually RETIRED. You might recognize his last name from previous podcast guest, Dr. Medina Baumgart (Board Certified Police Psychologist), his wife.

Like many in the Law Enforcement profession, Tony had a number in mind for retirement...30 years. Make it to 30 years and all would be good! WRONG!

With about eight months to go and after about five years of less than desirable home/work life, Tony called Medina and explained to her that he could wait the eight months and max his retirement benefit or he could sign the papers in his hand. "Put the Fucking papers in!" she told him...and he did.

When his last day came, there was no grand send off and in fact, he had to ask for a ride home because he had just turned in his take-home car and Medina was working. Tony summarized that feeling in a quote from their book, "I gave you my life and you handed me a receipt." Talk about a realization moment...and MOST can't fathom that kind of ending to their career...but it happens far more often than you think.

Tony tried his hand at a retirement gig, but the first time he had to request time off to travel with his wife, he decided he didn't work all that time to retire and have to ask for time off. So he resigned and started living, "The good life," or so he thought.

Tony and Medina BOTH quickly realized there is a whole other side of retirement that the retirement seminars do NOT teach you about and no one ever prepares you for...the HUMAN side. They had to both learn how to adapt to him being retired and at home. Tony had to eventually learn that the honeymoon phase of retirement is short lived and waking up without a purpose is a bitch!

Tony is slowly but surely finding his retirement groove and trying his hand and new hobbies, creating a daily routine for himself that he still says needs some work...but it's better than nothing.

Tony isn't into social media, so make sure you follow Medina on both LinkedIn and Instagram, and ABSOLUTELY grab a copy of her book about THEIR story of retirement, here. It is a roadmap for ANYONE looking to get out or retire from Law Enforcement and I WISH I'd had it when I transitioned out!

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

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