Joe Rivera: Gett Itt Core Fiteness Trainer

Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of the Canterbury Tales, wrote, “Time and tide wait for no man.”  And if I’m being honest, reading Chaucer in my English Literature class back in college was a painful experience.  Like many things in my youth, the lessons were lost on me until I was ready to receive them or until they bludgeoned me over the head.  Again, most lessons I learned were from the latter.  My dad used to tell me, “Youth is squandered on the young.”  Now, in my 50’s, I get it.  At least, I think I do.  Time will tell.

This week's guest on the Coptimizer Podcast is not a cop.  He is a retired marine and retired United States Postal Service employee.  That is what I call a “two for.”  Two careers in the same person, with one important lesson.  Time waits for no one.  

Joe Rivera is the epitome of a man who refuses to give up or give in.  Every day is another opportunity to grind and get better.  To compete.  To live.

Early in my career, a salty veteran told me, “You just wait.  One day you will be as fat, unhappy, and miserable as the rest of us.”  He was about fifty pounds overweight, a smoker, and generally an unproductive and bitter cop.  To this day, I frequently thank him for the invaluable gift he gave me.  He gave me a glimpse into my future should I choose his path.

But life always provides choices.  And since I’m already quoting old dead guys, I will stick with the theme.  “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – took the one less traveled by, and that has made all of the difference.”  Robert Frost was referring to the road not taken.  He meant that some choices, at the moment, seem inconsequential, but over time and with the luxury of hindsight, we can look back and see which decisions have had the biggest impact.  

Joe Rivera is a living example of taking the road less traveled.  He chooses hard work and challenges so he can stay healthy and productive.  In this episode, you can hear Joe’s story, about overcoming obstacles early in life and how he built resiliency.  Now, at age 55, he is the number one ranked male in the world in his age group in the Spartan Deka racing series.  Not just in one of the three categories, but ALL three.  

The path of comfort is very enticing, like the siren’s call.  Many succumb because the path is well-worn and easy to follow.  Now that I am retired and on the “back-nine,” I am thankful to have chosen the path taken by men and women like Joe instead of the salty veteran.  While life offers no guarantees, my retirement from policing is not the end for me but another fork in the road.  I’m choosing to chase Joe on the leaderboard, and I’m thankful he is there.  People like Joe remind us of what is possible and that our only limits are generally those we place on ourselves.  

Lace-up your racing shoes, this is a high-energy episode!

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