Today is all about giving kudos to those who deserve it most. Like England for ending their Omicron restrictions, Amazon for opening its first clothing store in SoCal, the White House for distributing 400 million N95 masks, Starbucks for rescinding its vaccination requirement, the Supreme Court of the United States for striking down President Biden’s employee mandate, fashion icon Andre Leon Talley for following his dreams and making a difference, and the four NFL quarterbacks that I pick to win their divisional playoff games this weekend: Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Plus the final three Steps to Everlasting Youth from my book, and of course, more positive cryptocurrency news as they begin their ascent (hopefully for good).
Top 10 Phobias – Ep 13 – Tola Talks Texas
Today we’re having some fun with the Top 10 Phobias that have millions of Americans shaking in their boots. Because fear of anything including the number 13 is usually a bad thing that controls your mind, body and spirit. Especially in these fear-mongering Coronavirus times, everyone should – and must – face their fears head-on. Regardless of their origins, whether Biblical or pre-Christian or Babylonian times, phobias are real so we’re counting them down. Including two rather innocuous ones I just made up: Gymophobia and Yogaphobia. Fear of working out and fear of doing yoga…both of which you should never fear if you want to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Like I do.
Behind the Scenes – Zen Diaries: The Lockdown
Awesome time filming our award-winning short film, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, with such an amazing cast & crew! Starring Rich Tola, Kayla Moore, Jonny Haug, Romi Valenti, Anita Davenport, Jennifer Cheung and A.P. Moses.
Have an awesome day everyone, and hope to see you on the mat. Peace – R
Boulevard Zen – 10 Years Later
Hey everyone, hope you’re thinking, speaking and feeling positive, and most importantly, hope you’re getting your daily workouts in!
I certainly am. Not to mention I’m especially positive and grateful because today marks the 10-year anniversary of my feature film, Boulevard Zen, where “Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck.” What a day it was back in 2009, my first Hollywood premiere. Flash forward 10 years and our protagonist, the no-bullshit, east-coast attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo, is at it again in my award winning short film, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown.
Watch the Boulevard Zen movie trailer and the 21-minute short below, plus check-out our theme song, Life’s Boulevard, performed by LA’s Best Male Vocalist of the Year, Erick Macek. Stay focused on your goals everyone, and keep rockin’ your dreams. Peace – R
Boulevard Zen is also available on Amazon click here
Holidays are Made for Workouts…Really!
Happy Holidays everyone!
That means more time spent running around as well as more time spent lounging around the house, mostly before and after meals, right?
Wrong…because the holidays are a great time NOT to lounge around doing nothing but to instead, get your workout in. Whether it be the extra cardio – yes, zipping around the mall counts – or making use of that “lounging” time by hitting your gym or local community center for a quick 20 minute workout, just do it. That’s right, it’s easier to get your workout in during the holidays because who really wants you standing around the kitchen or taking up space in the living room hours before the meal. That’s how I look at it, squeeze every workout or group class or Tola Yoga class into your schedule, no matter where you are, and make that time all about maintaining your strong body – clear mind. No doubt good health always triumphs over bad. So make it good.
And if you need a little inspiration for some additional get up and go…or if you really need to Get Your Sh#! Together then watch my two films, Skateboard Bandits and Zen Diaries: The Lockdown. Sometimes we all could use a swift kick in the butt from badass attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo.
Have an awesome Thanksgiving everyone, and get your workout in! Peace – R
“Skate like a bat outta hell”
Hey everyone, we just released Skateboard Bandits on YouTube and Vimeo.
It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank. We filmed all 18 scenes in one day, throughout the streets of LA.
Looking forward to releasing my next short narrative, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, coming this November.
Peace – R
Skateboard Bandits – Coming Soon!
Hey everyone, I just completed my first scripted narrative short, Skateboard Bandits, soon to be released in September.
It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.
Super excited to finish another film project on-time and on-budget. It took 90 days and cost $1000 from start to finish. For my next production, I look forward to releasing a “Boulevard Zen” short film spin-off, exactly ten years since the 2009 premiere of my first film.
For more information please contact me at: info@twostrikehitter.com
Have an awesome day and always remember…get your workout in! Peace – R
Thanks for the memories…and free movies SAG!
It’s always a treat to witness great movie-making with Hollywood’s biggest stars, not to mention getting to nominate your favorite actors and ensemble casts for the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
It’s an even bigger treat to participate in live Q&A’s with these bold & beautiful demigods. For such insightful talks I’d like to thank my union for the complimentary screenings and receptions they’ve awarded me the past few months where I’ve met Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Keira Knightley, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Tyler Perry, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Hugh Jackman, Alfred Molina and Sebastian. Well, perhaps I didn’t meet these masterful entertainers but for sure I’ve heard their thoughts and felt their passion for their craft.
Kudos SAG-AFTRA…it was an honor to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominating Committee. I look forward to seeing my “outstanding” choices take home the gold!
Have an awesome holiday everyone, and get your workout in! Peace – R
Greetings from Austin!
Another day, another workout…in another great American city:
Austin, Texas
How fortunate I am to experience and explore the #1 place to live in the United States for the past two years (U.S. News & World Report), the “City of the Violet Crown” with its unofficial slogan “Keep Austin Weird”, the state capital of Texas as well as the southernmost state capital in the contiguous 48 states, the “Live Music Capital of the World” and of course, home to the music, film and interactive festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), not to mention the Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) held every year in Zilker Park.
Austin also marks the 7th major U.S. city in as many years where I’ll be teaching my fitness style of Tola Yoga through the end of July. Because no doubt life is all about the journey while relentlessly pursuing your passion, regardless of where it takes you.
Have an amazing Father’s Day everyone, and get your workout in!
Peace – R
Tola Talks with Recording Artist & Entrepreneur, Moses Stone
Another great show with the multi-talented recording artist and entrepreneur, Moses Stone. We’re talking all things music and movies this week including the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus listening to two original songs from this charismatic rapper.
It’s also the final Tola Talks of 201 7, so we’re highlighting the best of the best including If I Were President and thank you shout-outs to my celebrity guests. Not to mention some timeless fitness & Tola Yoga tips for 2018, and of course, the Get Your Shit Together Award.
Thanks again everyone, for tuning in these past few months…it’s been a blast!
Stay tuned for the next generation of Tola Talks to be announced on my website www.RichTola.com and my socials: @richtola
Happy Holidays…and may the force be with you! Peace – R