351: Police Career Rise, Ego, Pressure & Growth w/ Dr. Ron Camacho

In this conversation, I visit with retired chief Dr. Ron Camacho to talk about the real work behind leadership: self-awareness, humility, trust, and the courage to confront ego. Ron shares the career journey that took him from rapid promotion in policing to leading a large department, and the personal transformation that reshaped how he leads today. Ron explains that being “successful” in rank didn’t mean he was leading well. In fact, the pressure of rapid advancement, unresolved trauma, and a need to prove himself pushed him into a style that got results but alienated many of the people around him. He describes a pivotal moment when marriage counseling revealed deeper issues that needed individual work first. That intensive process helped him rebuild his self-esteem, reduce anger, and begin leading from a healthier place. If you’re in leadership, Ron’s story is a reminder that competence alone isn’t enough. The best leaders invest in themselves, take accountability, and build others up instead of protecting status. Real leadership is less about being right and more about creating an environment where people can thrive. -- Ron Camacho has spent three decades leading in some of the highest-pressure environments imaginable, but the work that defines his next chapter began with a much more personal challenge: confronting the role ego had played in his own life. Early in his career, Ron built a version of leadership around toughness, control and relentless self-protection. It helped him rise quickly and take on significant responsibility, but it also came at a cost. Anger, defensiveness and unresolved trauma affected his relationships, his marriage and the way he moved through the world. What began as an attempt to save his marriage became a much deeper process of therapy, introspection and self-awareness - and ultimately a complete re-evaluation of what strength and leadership really mean. Questions, topic ideas and feedback? Send a line! To stay connected with the latest and exclusive content: Subscribe to the FREE newsletter at on bluegritwellness.com  ! Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Blue Grit Radio on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more!  Sharing the show and episodes to your friends, peers, circles and social platforms is one of the greatest compliments I can receive- which truly helps the show grow. Please help support a healthier first responder community by giving us a 5 star rating (Spotify and Apple) and a review (on Apple) to help others find the show. Need help with entry-level, promotional testing, career & mindset coaching? Stop spinning your wheels and prep the right mindset and awareness of all the critical hiring steps with my comprehensive hiring guide: bluegritwellness.com/shop  Email at [email protected] ------------------------------------- Want to safeguard your health and the health of your team? United Diagnostic Services brings hospital-grade diagnostic technology directly to first responder agencies, making early detection of heart disease and cancer simpler than ever. For more information, visit udshealth.com ------------------------------------- *the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.  music credit: Drive by ASham...