Welcome to the Behind the Shield podcast. As always, my name's James Gearing, and this week it is my

absolute honor to welcome on the show, former law enforcement officer and current member of

reps for responders, Nick Ricciotti. Now, in this conversation, we discuss a host of topics.

From his journey into law enforcement, his time working in the jails, the mental health struggles he had

in uniform, his battles with alcoholism, the drug use that cost him his job, the post-traumatic

growth he got from overcoming that addiction, the power of fitness, reps for responders, and so

much more.

Now before we get to this incredibly powerful and important conversation, as I say every week,

please just take a moment.

Go to whichever app you listen to this on, subscribe to the show, leave feedback and leave a rating.

Every single five-star rating truly does elevate this podcast, therefore making it easier for others to find. And this is a free library of over 800 episodes now. So all I ask in

return is that you help share these incredible men and women's stories so I can get them

to every single person on planet Earth

who needs to hear them. So with that being said, I introduce to start by saying, firstly, thank you so much for your patience.

We've moved this interview around a couple of times to accommodate some family issues, so I appreciate that. And secondly, I want to

welcome you to the Behind the Shoehl podcast today. Absolutely, no problem. Happy to work around

schedules. And thank you for having me. Very excited. So where on planet Earth are we finding

you this afternoon? This afternoon, you're finding me in Oak Island, North Carolina, which is not where I live.

I'm on vacation right now, visiting one of my buddies who used to live up in New Jersey with me.

So I'm originally from North Jersey, still from North Jersey.

The Carolina is beautiful, but obviously you've got the beach side, you've got the mountains,

wherever you found yourself?

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