Today I share insights on patience, nostalgia for the 90’s, and the latest on President Trump’s new monument in Washington D.C., emphasizing the importance of patience in health, fitness, and life. This episode offers practical tips and cultural reflections to inspire and inform. Thanks for watching everyone…and respect the ABC’s! Peace – R
Moon Dust & America’s Worries on Tola Talks – Ep #270
Rich discusses current global issues, healthcare concerns, moon facts, and personal wellness tips, providing a comprehensive overview of pressing topics and inspiring insights.
How to Get a Job Teaching Group Fitness Classes on Tola Talks – Ep #214
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich shares his insights on how to secure a job teaching group fitness classes, drawing from over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. The discussion covers the importance of certification (fitness & CPR), creating a compelling resume, and the necessity of proactive job searching through direct outreach to gyms and fitness studios. Tola emphasizes the value of networking and persistence in the job search process, encouraging listeners to stay motivated and keep trying until they succeed. And you will succeed, if you follow his advice.
Watch now and discover: → Getting a job in group fitness requires certification (including CPR). → Create a professional resume with a positive photo, and dress appropriately when applying for jobs. → Persistence is key; keep applying until you succeed. → Substituting classes can lead to permanent positions. → Visit gyms and studios in person to apply, and follow up with managers via email after submitting your resume in-person.
Autism & Jenny McCarthy, Body Shaming & Ariana Grande, Sobriety & Rich Tola on Tola Talks – Ep #211
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich discusses various topics including: 1) the overwhelming nature of Cyber Monday shopping, 2) the achievements of women’s volleyball teams including his favorites, Nebraska and Purdue, and 3) the importance of autism advocacy as spearheaded by figurehead and Hollywood royalty, Jenny McCarthy.
The conversation also touches on body positivity with a special shout-out to Ariana Grande with her loving reminder to all, plus Rich’s personal journey to sobriety for the past 18 years. The show also discusses the evolving landscape of office work, listing the Top 10 Cities for Remove Work in America, and concludes with a recap of key points and encouragement for listeners to pursue personal change in their life.
Watch now and discover: → Jenny McCarthy’s advocacy for autism awareness is commendable. → Ariana Grande’s loving reminder about Body Shaming in the media – a significant issue. → Personal journeys, like Rich Tola’s 18 year sobriety, can inspire others. → These Top 10 American cities with good quality of life are ideal for remote workers. → It’s essential to focus on personal health and well-being.
Teachers Get Unstressed with Best Selling Author, Michael Linsin on Tola Talks – Ep #208
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich interviews best selling author, teacher and Founder of Smart Classroom Management, Michael Linsin. The conversation delves into the challenges teachers face in managing classroom behavior, emphasizing the need for a cohesive approach to classroom management strategies. It also highlights how disparate methods can lead to confusion and exacerbate misbehavior, advocating for a unified methodology for effective teaching. Most importantly is for teachers with bad apple students experiencing challenging – and sometimes overwhelming – classrooms, to not despair: knowledge is the key.
So get informed and create your Dream class today!
Watch now and discover: → Why teachers often struggle with bad classroom behaviors and how to change them. → Understanding student behavior is the key to effective classroom management. → Effective classroom management requires consistency in strategies. → Misbehavior can worsen with conflicting approaches to classroom management. → Professional development – and knowledge – can support teachers in this area.
50 Rules of Badassery on Tola Talks – Ep #206
Today Tola Talks about my 50 Rules of Badassery while exploring the themes of personal growth and how to stay positive, the transformative power of hypnotherapy, and the journey of overcoming addiction. The discussion emphasizes the belief that the universe supports individuals in their quest for self-improvement and highlights the importance of commitment and support in the recovery process.
Watch now and discover: → Transformation is a continuous process, not a one-time event. → Embracing change is essential for personal development. → The journey of self-improvement is unique for everyone. → Personal growth often requires facing and overcoming challenges. → The universe is conspiring for your highest good in every area of your life.
Top 10 Lessons Learned from Women’s Volleyball on Tola Talks – Ep #200
On today’s 200th episode of Tola Talks, we share the Top 10 Lessons Learned from Women’s Volleyball, emphasizing the importance of positivity, teamwork, focus, and resilience. We also discuss the highlights of how these principles can be applied not only in sports but also in everyday life, encouraging everyone to celebrate the small victories in life and to always learn from your defeats – all the while maintaining a commitment to good sportsmanship. We also dive into the 1987 romantic drama, Dirty Dancing, one of my favorites, starring the late (and great) Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher
Hey everyone! If you’re concerned about everything that’s wrong with our inner-city public schools – as you should be – then check-out my latest book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher. (click to view on Amazon)
Based upon my real life experiences as a K-12 substitute teacher, The Sub gives you an outsider’s view inside America’s troubled educational system.
An historical fiction novel that’s based upon true encounters, The Sub shines a much-needed light on the challenges facing our beleaguered (and burnt out) inner-city educators. There’s everything from lockdowns and school shootings, to Autistic children with a penchant for changing lives, to fighting 5th graders and discourteous kids dropping F-bombs, to Middle School girls with their own school-specific gang. Not to mention a sweet and sexy romance that’s fit for a Hallmark movie! Most of all, is our insightful protagonist’s (Eddie Cruz) ability to address all the brokenness with concrete solutions to fix them.
A must read for all High School students and K-12 educators everywhere!
4-Star Review for Zen Diaries: The Lockdown
Hey everyone, hope your 2024 is off to a great start!
As for small victories along the way, on behalf of the very talented cast and crew of my short film, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, we’re honored to receive a 4-Star Review from Short Films Matter. Here’s what they say:
* * * * A drama that delves into the transformative power of confronting personal weaknesses.
SYNOPSIS: Ten years after his wife was killed in a drive-by shooting gone bad, former hot-shot attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo, is dealing with another shooter in his life. This time causing a police lockdown of his Los Angeles studio. A zenful place “where self-doubt goes to die”, but it’s also where tempers start to flare between students and strangers as Bobby vows to ‘protect his family’ while trying hard to inspire and not insult them with his tough love words of wisdom.
REVIEW: Rich Tola’s short sequel to his 2009 feature film ‘Boulevard Zen’ takes center stage during a police lockdown of his yoga studio, prompted by an external situation, yet it skillfully weaves a narrative focused on internal conflicts. The crux of the story revolves around an outsider forced to confront his realities, under the candid guidance of the brutally honest Bobby D’Angelo, portrayed by Tola himself. The ensemble cast navigates the anxieties stemming from external conflict, with A.P. Moses delivering a compelling performance as Mr. Sloan, a character grappling with weight issues and self-esteem.
Tola’s film delves deep into the theme of personal transformation, emphasizing the need to confront and overcome our weaknesses. The societal implications of these individual struggles add depth to the narrative, creating a thought-provoking ensemble piece that resonates with universal themes. The well-acted cast brings authenticity to their roles, complemented by Salvadore Sclafani’s cinematography, which adds visual richness to the storytelling. The sequel stands out as a commendable film, offering a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the potential for positive change within individuals and society at large.
FILM: 20-minute dramedy (completed from start-to-finish in less than 90 days for $2,000) starring Rich Tola, Jonny Haug, Kayla Moore, Romi Valenti, Anita Davenport, Jennifer Cheung, and A.P. Moses.
Click HERE to visit the review on Short Films Matter, and thanks for watching!
Have a great year everyone, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R
Finish Strong + Savor Small Victories
Two more weeks until we wrap up this rate-hike laden, crypto market crashing, war torn Year of the Tiger, so it’s time we buckle in and finish strong everyone. That is to say, stay healthy and positive and focused in the final inning of 2022, and most importantly, stay committed to your fitness.
Another day, another workout is my motto. Because keeping your Temple, i.e., your physical body that’s harmonious with your mind and spirit, is paramount to keeping you primed to finish strong in everything you do.
And not to be forgotten are all those small victories you’ve achieved throughout the year, whatever the successes or positive outcomes earned – or perceived negative outcomes that will prove to be rewarding nonetheless. Be sure to acknowledge them and savor them and celebrate them for what they are: small victories in the war of life.
Happy Holidays everyone, may peace be with you.
PS – Click HERE to buy the best motivational stocking stuffer on the Planet – at least I think so – and get your workout in! Peace – R
