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

Welcome to Wherever You Are

Hope you’re awesome everyone, and in case you were wondering, this isn’t a tribute to the music of Bon Jovi or INXS.

On the contrary, it’s more like a welcome home post after spending the past five months traversing the U.S. in search of the Holy Grail, much like a modern-day Indiana Jones. Well, not exactly, but I’ve definitely been a modern day cowboy cruising the countryside since I left my beloved Los Angeles in June.

Why, you might ask? Because  I love to explore new lands while checking out the fitness and yoga scenes – not to mention the music and entertainment and comedy club scenes – of America’s largest and most popular cities.

And on this particular leg of the adventure I’ve traveled to Austin, Dallas, Denver, and most recently, the lovely beaches of Santa Barbara (picture).

For those of you who have been following my life’s colorful journey since I moved to Hollywood in 2007, I’ve now lived in 11 major cities over the past 11 years.

The good news is I’ve also walked over a thousand miles and met tons of cool locals that made my sojourn an especially enjoyable experience. No doubt traveling to other cities is something I definitely recommend to anyone who has the time and vigor to do it. Notice I didn’t say money, because if you fly solo like I do, you really don’t need that much to explore. Just a pair of comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight backpack. Oh, and don’t forget an open-minded attitude that comes with a big fat smile on your face…because that ALWAYS helps.

So pack your bags and enjoy your journey wherever it takes you this holiday season, and have an amazing Halloween!

Peace – R

Empower your Earth Day with Tola Yoga

Hey everyone, this Sunday is Earth Day 2018, a perfect day to cleanse and re-energize your body and your mind, and of course, enlighten your soul.

But wait, isn’t that a fancier way of saying, “a great day to work your butt off with another challenging Tola Yoga class.” No doubt.

So bring your yoga gear, swim suit and towel this Sunday, April 22nd from 2 – 3p.

Any questions? Email me: [email protected]

Tola Yoga finale extols Launch & Let Go

In our Tola Yoga finale of 2017, we could have been laser-focused on sending out boatloads of Love & Light. But I wanted to praise the mighty powers of two other L words that can really change your life.  Launch & Let Go.

As we began our challenging yoga workout, I told my amazing students to focus their energies on launching, i.e., beginning, three new things in the first three months of 2018. It doesn’t matter what they are, as long as they serve you well. Like a daily fitness program or a volunteer opportunity. Plus, everybody knows that good things come in three’s, right?

And more importantly, let go, i.e., take out the machete and whack it off, that one thing that REALLY doesn’t serve you well. Like a shitty boyfriend or a dead-end job.

So kudos to all the courageous souls who L&L in the New Year and change their lives for the better.  You deserve it.

Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!  Peace – R

Tola Talks with DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs

We’re talking all things Movies & Music today with my special guests, DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs. Starting with their favorite genre of Hip-Hop, we discuss the history of music from the early 1970’s to today’s wildly popular Electronica (EDM) and the Top 10 DJs that rule the raves.

On a beautiful sunny day in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Tola also Talks about movies that spotlight “The Valley” including We Are Your Friends (Zac Efron) and Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), plus what this infamous basin is really know for: strip malls, sushi restaurants in strip malls, and of course, porn stars. We also pay tribute to the King of Hip-Hop, Eminem, and the late Adult Film Actress, August Ames, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying. Thanks for tuning-in everyone! Peace – R

Tola Talks with Actress/Producer, Troy Titus-Adams

Good things come in threes, so this week Tola Talks is all about celebrating three very special 10 year anniversaries.

The first, a decade of friendship with my lovely co-host, Actress/Producer Troy Titus-Adams. Second, it’s our 10th show since returning to LA Talk Radio – the second time around. And third, it’s my 10 year anniversary of sobriety. That’s right, an amazing decade of hangover-free mornings…not to mention more than $50,000 worth of savings!

There’s also some sober talk about going the mile, i.e., adding an extra 10% to your exercise regime, allowing transgender individuals in the military, plus one of my favorite leadership books by best selling author Dr. John C. Maxwell, Talent is Never Enough.

Have an awesome week everyone, and remember to get your workout in!

Peace – R

Tola Talks with Actor/Comedian, Barry Ratcliffe

Always a blast talking with my good friend, Actor/Comedian and Producer, Barry Ratcliffe. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Tola Talks goes into hyper-speed with the super high-energy Ratcliffe talking about his days in the 90’s working with Don Johnson on Nash Bridges, to his recent days on WGN’s gritty drama, Outsiders. Not to mention Rich’s dogmatic talk about positivity always rules over negativity, specifically as it relates to the current witch hunt for Hollywood’s sexual predators, Serena Gomez getting bashed for lip-syncing at the AMAs, and hometown heroin overdoses.

Plus there’s more including protecting the world’s endangered species and #BeKindtoElephants, fitness tips for the holidays and movies flashbacks – talking Men in Black (1997) and George Clooney’s The American (2010).

Tola Yoga Night has been a blast!

Hope you can make tonight’s pre-holiday Tola Yoga class at The Reef (11th Fl). It’s gonna be a killer, plus it’s gonna be my last class at that day/time in 2017. It’s been a blast, with special thanks to everyone at Maker City LA for all their support and for providing such a beautiful space to practice yoga. And to all my students who braved the DTLA city streets at rush hour  ♥  See you tonight at 6:15p. Peace – R

The Reef  |  1933 S Broadway, 90007  |  Validated Parking  |  Donation Class

Tola Talks with Dominatrix, Mistress Eva Lee

Tola Talks gets hot and steamy with the very lovely and very passionate dominatrix, Mistress Eva Lee. We’re talking everything from BDSM subcultures to the psychological power Dommes wield over their Subs (Submissives).

If I Were President, I would also create a RIPD (Rest In Peace Department) to bike patrol our Nation’s capitol streets and help eradicate crime and vagrancy. Plus, fitness tips for the last 50 days of 2017 and how to lose those unwanted 5 or 10 lbs. Rich also gives his take on the future of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., et al., plus bestows them all the newly minted, “Now I Really Need to Get My F—king Shit Together Award”. Check it out out and more on yesterday’s show!

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