Tag: inspiration

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Fixing America’s Broken Educational System on Tola Talks – Ep #227

In this episode, Rich Tola dives deep into the pressing issue of education in America, asserting that the system is fundamentally broken. He shares his personal experiences as a substitute teacher in inner-city schools, highlighting the challenges faced by both students and educators. Tola emphasizes the importance of five key elements for success: desire, discipline, consistency of effort, accountability, and sacrifice, arguing that these traits are often more critical than formal education itself. He critiques the current educational practices, particularly the promotion of students who have not mastered essential skills, and calls for a complete overhaul of the system to better serve all students.

Tola passionately discusses the need for a more tailored approach to education, suggesting that separating students based on their learning capabilities and providing vocational training could be beneficial. He also critiques standardized testing, arguing that it often fails to reflect a student’s true potential and can create unnecessary stress. Throughout the episode, Tola’s fervor for improving education shines through, as he advocates for a system that prioritizes genuine learning and accountability over mere progression through grades.

Watch now and discover: → Education is failing in America and needs urgent reform. → Success is driven by desire, discipline, and sacrifice, not just education. → Promoting students without mastering skills harms their future learning. → Standardized tests create stress and do not reflect true student abilities. → Vocational training could provide practical skills for students who struggle academically.

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Weight Loss Made Simple on Tola Talks – Ep #224

In this episode of Tola Talks, Rich Tola discusses various topics including New Year resolutions, fitness routines, a recent trip to Chattanooga, the nostalgia of the ER series, the excitement of football championships, and the career aspirations of Gen Alpha. He emphasizes the importance of personal accountability in health and fitness, shares insights on the changing landscape of career aspirations among younger generations, and advocates for better educational exposure to diverse career paths.

Watch now and discover: → The ABCs of life: workout, sleep, and a colorful diet are essential. → Sticking to resolutions requires personal accountability. → Gen Alpha is gravitating towards creative careers. → Education should expose students to diverse career options. → Personal experiences shape the understanding of career aspirations.

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Be a Warrior! on Tola Talks – Ep #222

In this conversation, Rich Tola reflects on the past year, discusses the importance of reading and education, and shares insights on upcoming movies for 2026. He emphasizes the warrior mindset and life lessons drawn from films like ‘Peaceful Warrior’ and ‘Lost in Translation’, as well as gives his review of the new Timothee Chalamet film, ‘Marty Supreme’. Tola also encourages listeners to make good choices as they enter the new year.

Watch now and discover: → It’s time to refocus, recenter and wipe the slate clean for the New Year. → Reading books is crucial for child development – children with access to books complete 3 more years education than those who don’t (have access to books). → The warrior mindset is about peaceful positivity and accountability for your actions. → Make good choices and make it about the journey, not the destination → Movies can provide valuable life lessons, while 2026 is set to be a great year for movies!

🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations:→ @tolatalks

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Eat to Lose Weight on Tola Talks – Ep #205

In this episode, Tola Talks about the theme of ‘more is bad’ versus ‘less is good’ when it come to losing weight, focusing on good health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. The show also includes a Birthday shout-out to Danny DeVito while reflecting on the media’s influence through cinema, plus a review of the new Glen Powell film, Running Man. When it comes to dieting and weight loss, Rich debunks the 12 common myths about healthy eating, with practical tips for maintaining a balanced diet. Most importantly, Tola emphasizes the importance of ‘eating less’ while still enjoying your favorite foods, with insights on how to approach healthy eating without feeling deprived.

Watch now and discover: → You can enjoy your favorite foods while eating less. → Eating less is key to managing weight effectively. → It’s okay to feel hungry; it means you’re burning calories. → Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive, and can be simple and straightforward. → Debunking myths about gluten-free and vegetarian diets.

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Change the Consumer Sentiment

While driving home from the park today, I was listening to a few economists talk about the current University of Michigan survey measuring consumer sentiment and economic conditions. Basically, it tells us how Americans feel about the economy both today and tomorrow, or more specifically, one year from now.

I’m sure this comes as no surprise, but the overall feelings were bad.

As bad as they were in the 1970’s no less, when inflation was at 13%, unemployment was at 10%, and you had to wait an hour at the pumps to fill up your tank with gas. No kidding, and I know it well because I grew up in the 70’s and specifically remember really long lines in a station wagon with no air conditioning. Albeit, today those inflation and unemployment numbers are much better, to say the least, as mortgage rates just inched below 7% – a good sign for both consumers and the housing market.

The thing is, back when times were much tougher for families and the economy was in a much deeper hole, pervasive feelings of doom and gloom were never rampant like they are today. At least it seems that way when everywhere you turn there’s suffering, death and destruction, not to mention consistent talk about an unavoidable recession (which I disagree). In a viral world with instant connectivity, spreading anything – including bad feelings – is as easy as getting AI to write you a paper. The polar opposite of the groovy, non-viral 70’s. Plus, with Led Zeppelin on the radio and Disco on the rise, life was always about working hard, staying hopeful, living free, and most importantly, living in the moment.

And since every one of us is dealing with our own adversity du jour – mine includes three herniated discs that have annihilated my yoga practice – you gotta stay positive and know that things will get better. And believe that collectively, we can change this sentiment from bad to good.

And we will.

The funny thing is, when I grew tired of listening to those chatty economists talk about our nation’s lousy survey scores, I turned the radio dial a few clicks to the left and what do you think comes on? I Want Your Love, by Chic circa 1978. Talk about a fun and happy and positive song that compels you to sing along forever! I was 15 when that Disco classic came out, and had just started taking lessons at the nearby Arthur Murray Dance Studio..with every other kid in the neighborhood.

So change your negative thoughts everyone, and help me change the consumer sentiment. No doubt I believe change is coming – as it did with the go-go 80’s right after John Travolta lit up the floor in that iconic gem, Saturday Night Fever (1979). Speaking of lighting up the floor, with two measly weeks to go before we leave this rather “bad” 2023 behind us, take heed from yours truly – and get your workout in. Dancing included!

Have an amazing Holiday and even happier New Year! Peace – R

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Be Like …The Postman

Remember Kevin Costner’s award-winning film about a nameless drifter who dons a postman’s uniform and bag of mail in a post-apocalyptic America. If not, then I suggest you grab a bag of your favorite low sodium chips and watch it immediately. To get inspired to do whatever it is you need to do that may require a little – or a boatload – of courage.

And just like the real life United States Postal Service creed, “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postman from their appointed rounds“, simply apply this to your daily fitness program and get your workout in…every single day. Like I’ve been doing since the 1970’s.

Now check this out: we’re 2 days shy of halfway through 2023, which means you could have benefited from 180 workouts by now, like me and all the other post-people out there.

Are you in? Do you WANT to be in? Because ANYONE can…just Be Like The Postman. Enjoy the movie everyone, and I’ll see you at the Fountain!

Peace – R

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Make Note of Your Small Victories…They Count

Now that April is in the books, it’s a great time to reflect upon your small victories in the quest to win the war. Because when it comes to achieving your goals and aspirations – and your bountiful dreams – it’s all about making small advances on a daily basis as well as experiencing enlightenments along the way. Especially in these frustrating times of shutdown and uncertainty.

Small victories in the war also relates to your physical body, i.e., your temple and what you’ve done (today) to help fortify it for the journey. Thus, fitness is an everyday necessity, for sure, if you want to stay strong and youthful forever.

So, you gotta ask yourself one question: Did I workout enough in April 2020? Meaning, every single day or more specifically, 30 times. With ‘stay-at-home’ orders permeating the globe, how difficult was it for anyone on the planet aged 12 and up to squeeze at least 15 minutes of exercise into their busy day? And what about your Cardio, Abs/Stretching and Tola Yoga? I trust you got those in too. And if not, then hopefully my exercise report card for April will provide you with some much-needed fitness inspiration:

  • 20 minutes/day of Abs/Stretching and Tola Yoga = 10 hours
  • 40 minutes/day of bodyweight training = 20 hours
  • 25 flights of stairs/day = 750 (about 3 hours)
  • 7 miles/day of fast-paced walking = 210 miles (about 50 hours)
  • 7 minutes/day of standing balancing poses = 3 hours

When you look at my sum total for April, that equals 86 hours of exercise. To get my daily (and monthly) percentage of exercise achieved, simply divide 86 hours into the total number of hours in April (720), and that equals 12%.

Perhaps more than your average bear, but nothing too extreme. Now 12% may seem gargantuan compared to 1% – that’s exercising every single day for 15 minutes – because unfortunately most people don’t even do that. And if your exercise score is somewhere between me and 1%, you’re a superstar. I believe that. But if during April you’ve averaged less than 1%, than God help you.

Either way, make note of your small victories and keep moving forward. In everything you do, including your career goals and aspirations as well as your hobbies and your wildest dreams. And believe that anything is possible.

And finally, in addition to my fitness victory for April, I scored another small victory by completing my second nonfiction opus about everlasting youth. Another one-of-a-kind creation you’ll really enjoy, especially all the readers of my first book, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood.

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

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Greetings from Dallas!

Like a moth to a flame, I’ve been drawn to Dallas.

I’m not sure if it’s the richness of early American history dating back to its original settlement as a good trading post in 1839, or the plethora of diverse and interesting neighborhoods like Uptown, Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts District, Downtown, Lower Greenville or the M Streets (where I landed). Or perhaps it’s that cosmopolitan feel along with that “smell the roses” Texan mindset.

Regardless of whatever “it” is, Dallas certainly has me thinking I’ll be here for the rest of the summer. Not that America’s #1 city to live, aka Austin, wasn’t a cool place to explore for a couple of months, not to mention the wonderful staff and yoga students  at Castle Hill Fitness who loved Tola Yoga ..thanks everyone, especially Reesa, Autumn, Amy and Kat!

There’s just something about the Big D that reminds me of my Philadelphia roots and tickles my fancy in less than a week.

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

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Go With All Your Heart

Many years ago, my sister gave me this polished piece of black stone inscribed with this:

Wherever You Go, Go With All Your Heart

I’ve keep it by my bed ever since, to remind me of what should be. For everyone on the planet.

Because it’s all about shining your light – coming from your heart, that is – out into the Universe in the most positive, truthful and heartfelt way.

Hey, what do you expect coming from a Yoga dude who’s been practicing and teaching this mind-body-spirit, self-love and self-respect, “it’s a lifestyle” practice for over twelve years.

Think about it. Wouldn’t life be grand If you shared the very best of you…all the time. You know the one: upbeat, positive, smiling, confident, respectful and considerate. To name a few.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Peace – R

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No Judgment…Just More Resoluteness

Never judge yourself when it comes to fitness. Just forgettaboutit, and keep moving forward. Because what you did or didn’t do yesterday – or last week – or last year – makes no difference when it comes to exercising today. Because each dawn brings a new day, and with each day brings another opportunity to reward your body with fitness. With an emphasis on reward.

Case in point: Yesterday my friend says to me, “OK, this week I’m going to start working out every Tuesday and Friday for the rest of the year, because it’s two weeks into 2017 and my resolution to workout twice a week is, well, failing.” This coming from a woman who worked out 4 times a week for the past 20 years until last year, when an injury put her on the sidelines for nearly a year. Now she’s completely healed but just can’t seem to get started.

Is this you? Or perhaps you’re someone who’s never been into fitness and wants to start? No worries.

Really. Because each dawn brings a new day, and with each day brings another opportunity to reward your body with fitness. You get the picture.

And if you don’t already know it, then repeat after me: if I workout on a regular basis, I will look and feel younger. Just like I said to my friend lamenting over her inability to re-start her engines, look at it this way: if you workout twice a week for 30 minutes each for the rest of the year, by New Year’s 2018 that’ll be 50 hours of fitness. Better yet, if you can make it one hour and then turn that second hour into a Yoga class, that’ll be 100 hours…a helluva lot better than Zero.”

No judgment over failed resolutions people…just more resoluteness. You can do it.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone! Peace – R