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What Does Success Really Mean? | Tola Talks – Ep 350

What does success really mean? Is success about money, fame, status, and the freedom to say “F you” to the world? Or is it something deeper?

In this special Sunday edition of Tola Talks, I reflect on a conversation with a 23-year-old guy at the gym, another conversation with an older, wealthy man, and the very different ways they define success. This is also my 350th Tola Talks episode over 12 years—and it got me thinking about what really matters as we get older.

For me, success comes down to three things: Mind. Body. Spirit.

A clear and developed mind.
A strong and healthy body.
An evolved and loving spirit.

Money can make life easier. Fame can feel good. Status can open doors. But when you reach the end of your life, are those really the things you’ll wish you had more of?

I’ll share why I believe discipline, health, learning, kindness, presence, and doing the right thing are ultimately a better measure of success than the size of your bank account.

And for the younger people watching: you don’t get there overnight. You get there one workout, one decision, and one day at a time.

89 days left in the year. How many workouts are you going to get in?

My answer: 89.

Get your workout in. Stay present. Keep your mind sharp. Keep your body strong. Keep your spirit evolving. Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Capital Punishment: When Justice Meets Personal Tragedy | Tola Talks – Ep 349

Do you believe in capital punishment? And if so, which method would you choose—lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad?

On today’s Tola Talks, I share my personal position on the death penalty and explain how a devastating family tragedy shaped the way I think about murder, justice, punishment, and accountability. I also discuss the recent case of Christa Pike, whose execution attempt in Tennessee drew renewed attention to the debate over lethal injection and the death penalty. This isn’t just a discussion about politics or statistics. It’s about what happens when an issue becomes personal—and how our own experiences can shape what we believe.

Plus, I cover my ABC’s: All-body workout, Blissful sleep, and Colorful diet, and finish with my three Tola Takeaways:

1) Respect your ABC’s every day.

2) Pick up the phone and call someone—don’t just text.

3) Be open-minded and respect that others may see things differently.

Have an awesome weekend everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Believe It. Then Know It. | Tola Talks – Ep 348

Believing in yourself is where change begins—but knowing you can do it is where real transformation happens.

In today’s episode, we continue our conversation about mindset, consistency, and drinking from the Fountain of Youth, with a reading from Step 29 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth.

The message is simple: you can’t just believe change is going to happen—you have to build the habits, small victories, and mindset that make you know it’s already happening.

I also talk about my daily ABC’s: All-Body Workout, Blissful Sleep, and Colorful Diet, and why consistency matters even on the days when you don’t feel your best.

Finally, I share a few powerful lessons and quotes from Theodore Roosevelt, Venus Williams, and Sir Edmund Hillary, along with a reminder inspired by Kobe Bryant: sometimes you have to create the mindset first, then live it until it becomes who you are.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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The Fat-Burning Mindset: Change Your Normal | Tola Talks – Ep 347

What happens after you lose the weight? That’s the question we dive into today.

On today’s Tola Talks, I explore what it really means to embrace a fat-burning mindset and why creating a new psychological “normal” can be just as important as the actions themselves.

Drawing from Step 21 of my book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth, I break down six simple ways to build more movement and healthier choices into your everyday routine:

  1. Walk whenever possible
  2. Take the stairs
  3. Stand when it’s safe and appropriate
  4. Exercise every day
  5. Eat less, especially unhealthy foods
  6. Drink less, especially sugary drinks and other high-calorie beverages

I also discuss homeostasis—our tendency to return to familiar patterns—and share a powerful analogy about repeatedly walking across a grassy field to explain why old habits can be so difficult to break.

The message is simple: changing your body starts with changing your conditioning. Build the habits you want to become your new normal, reinforce them every day, and stay consistent.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency, conditioning, and believing you can change.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Anything’s Possible: Just Start | Tola Talks – Ep 346

Anything’s Possible — but you have to start.

A 9-year-old solving a Rubik’s Cube in 2.76 seconds. A 78-year-old becoming a Fortnite streamer. Calvin Harris performing for 1.6 million people. And a kid practicing basketball for hours until he became a legend.

What do all of these stories have in common?

Anything’s possible.

In today’s Tola Talks, I discuss the power of dreaming, taking action, practicing every day, and celebrating the small victories along the way.

I also talk about the ABC’s — All-body workout, Blissful sleep, and Colorful diet — and why building a strong foundation can help you create the life you want. Plus, I share my own 20-year journey toward filmmaking, from taking my first acting class in New York to writing scripts and making three films.

The message is simple: don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start. Keep going. Learn through trial and error. And don’t stop believing that something bigger is possible.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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10 Simple Ways to Make Your Life Better | Tola Talks – Ep #345

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month and National Self-Improvement Month—and they go hand in hand.

On today’s Tola Talks, I share 10 practical tips to make your life better, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. From mindfulness and hydration to daily exercise, better sleep, continuous learning, connecting with others, and tracking your progress, these are simple actions you can start putting into practice today.

Plus, there’s a special birthday shoutout to Bruce Springsteen, reflecting on how Bruce’s music impacted my life, all the while wrapping it up with my three Tola Takeaways:

  • Respect the ABC’s.
  • Value your community.
  • Be open-minded.

You may not be able to control everything happening in the world—but you can control how you spend your time, how you care for your body, and the choices you make every day.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Peace, Bitcoin & the George Lucas Museum | Tola Talks – Ep 344

Today’s Tola Talks is all about our International Day of Peace, Bitcoin heading to the moon, and the opening of George Lucas’s incredible Museum of Narrative Art in LA.

As always, I wrap it up with my three simple takeaways: exercise your body, spread goodwill, and stay open-minded. Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in!

Peace. Progress. Purpose. Let’s go! 🚀

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Why Men Aren’t Getting Married & Why You Should Go to Costco for Love | Tola Talks – Ep 343

On today’s Tola Talks, I explore the decline in marriage and the impact on society, sharing insights on modern dating, family values, and unconventional ways to find love, like visiting Costco. I also emphasize the importance of face-to-face interactions and community in building meaningful relationships.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Weapons in Space, AI & Rising Rates: What’s Cooking? Tola Talks – Ep #342

On today’s Tola Talks, I discuss current issues like weapons in space, AI, the Clarity Act and crypto, and economic policies, blending humor with insights on technology, health, and community.

Key Takeaways

  • AI is already smarter than us in accessing information.
  • Weapons in space pose significant risks and ethical questions.
  • Crypto markets need clarity and regulation to thrive.
  • Interest rate hikes are likely to continue to combat inflation.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices are crucial for longevity, as seen in Japan.
  • Community engagement and open-mindedness are vital for societal progress.

Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R