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

Summer’s Over Party!

Back in NYC circa the late 1990’s my cronies and I would begin every Labor Day weekend with a blow-out celebration called the Summer’s Over Party. A party it was, to officially celebrate the end of summer – which meant everyone on Wall Street and every other business would get their vacationed butts back in the office to start making money again.

The fact that our little Summer’s Over Party lasted the entire weekend as well as every subsequent weekend until Thanksgiving really didn’t matter (what can I say, we liked to party). Our real intent was to celebrate the beginning of something very good that was about to happen, or perhaps even exceptional.

So let’s get ready to celebrate the following happenings that are definitely very good and are no doubt worth celebrating:

  1. Serena Williams rockin’ the US Open at the ripe young age of 40 while drinking from the Fountain of Youth. And you can too, just read my book.
  2. Inflation is subsiding and the mild recession we’re already in will start to wane.
  3. The oppressive heat across the US and the world will subside. It has to because time goes quick and Winter’s fast approaching.
  4. COVID and/or the fear thereof will subside to the point where everyone on the planet – including those fear-mongering politicians – won’t really care or pass judgment on someone like me who isn’t vaccinated (which should have been the case from Day 1 of this controversial pandemic).
  5. Stocks and Cryptocurrencies will rebound in our investment portfolios before year’s end and we’ll all have a jolly good Christmas. And if you don’t yet have an investment portfolio, get started now…prices are cheap! Another prediction, albeit I’m a long term BULL so what can I say.
  6. Everyone on the planet will embrace my motto, Another Day – Another Workout, and get with a daily fitness program. Trust me, it’ll change your life and keep you drinking from the Fountain of Youth. Just like me and Serena. And if you could use some much needed inspiration, just read my book.

And finally here’s something I learned a long time ago that keeps rearing it’s paradoxical head: Never say Never. Like when it comes to Nomad Living. Let’s just say it’s time for me to head back east again – this time driving – to spend time with family plus add another dozen US cities to my noteworthy collection. What can I say…it’ll definitely be fun!

Happy Labor Day everyone…get your workout in and enjoy the party!

Peace – R

Nomad Living – The End

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

At least when it comes to those good things that have a positive impact on your life and are meant to be provisional. That is to say, they’re meant to inspire and empower you in the present moment, but definitely not the long haul.

Like nomad living.

Because any individual who roams about for any length of time will certainly desire a more permanent resting place. Trust me, I should know. After 9 months of transversing this great country – from LA to Plano to Las Vegas to San Diego with many many stops and cities in between – I’ve found my way back to Texas (no kidding). Although I loved every minute of the journey as well as my time in San Diego – a place akin to heaven – it was time to return to the land of the free and home of the brave. Thus, I’m back in Lone Star state.

As for cryptocurrencies, well that’s another story. Since my last post they’ve crashed by more than 50% and have no doubt sent seismic shocks to my portfolio, to say the least. But then again when it comes to anything in life and especially stocks and cryptos, nothing goes straight up. So keep the faith and HODL on for dear life everyone, because like I’ve said many times before on Tola Talks Texas, we’re in the first inning of a very long ball game.

Be kind and stay strong everyone, and no matter what, get your workout in!

Peace – R

Chinese eBook Available!

Excited to announce the Chinese edition of my new motivational book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth, is now available in eBook format in modern-day Mandarin. Email us for more information: info@richtola.com

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

How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth

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

“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

New beginnings matter…so begin at once!

Every day you wake up is another opportunity to pursue your dreams and begin something new. So follow your heart and make great choices everyone – always – and no doubt heed the words of our President Barack Obama, “Choose to listen not to your doubts and fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations.”

A special thanks to my photographer Dana Patrick for these amazing new pics. Have an awesome day, and whatever you do, remember to get your workout in!

Peace – R

Now Teaching at the InterContinental Hotel

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Hey everyone, come take a Tola Yoga class at Attitude Fitness DTLA, located on the 7th Floor of the InterContinental Hotel at the Wilshire Grand Center in downtown Los Angeles

Join me every Tuesday at 6:15p and Thursday at 5:15p – available to Attitude members and hotel guests as well as you can find it on ClassPass.

Tola Yoga is a modern-day style of yoga that stretches and strengthens every muscle in your body from head to toe.

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Created by fitness and yoga master, Rich Tola, all students from beginner to advanced are challenged with a well-balanced and no doubt sweaty class comprised of five equal parts: yoga stretches, abdominals, balancing, core strengthening and foundation poses. Every Tola Yoga workout focuses on precision of posture and alignment and is committed to keeping you strong, flexible and injury-free.

Also teaching a donation class every Saturday from 9-10a in Chinatown located at 808 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles 90012. Email for more details and have an awesome day!

Peace – R

Greetings from Denver!

Another great American city in my sights. Literally.

Love my nomadic lifestyle this summer, experiencing the unique flavors of Austin, Dallas and now Denver in less than 100 days.

The Mile High City is quite a wonder. Beauty, sunshine, Red Rocks (below) and healthy people everywhere, no doubt making Denver an amazing place to live. Not to mention cool neighborhoods to explore like LoHi, Capital Hill, RiNo, Downtown, Baker, LoDo, West Colfax (where I live) and the Highlands. And don’t forget my favorite walking trail around Sloan’s Lake Park with an amazing view of the majestic Colorado Rockies (below). Simply awesome.

Special thanks to the Universe for allowing me the opportunity to traverse this great nation, and to all the friendly locals and business owners I’ve met along the way.

You rock!

So take it from me…one who has called home to more than 12 major U.S. cites, if you find yourself with three months to spare, definitely check-out the splendor of Denver. You won’t be disappointed.

Have an awesome day everyone, and get your workout in.

With Love & Light to those who gave their lives on 9/11.  RIP – R

All kids will love it at the Dallas Zoo

Whether you’re a big kid, little kid or forever a kid at heart like me, you’ll love it at the Dallas Zoo!

Since my childhood days plus our time filming Zoo Yoga in LA for my Yoga Survival Guide, I’ve always been a fan of zoos. So to all you thrill seekers and families looking for some good old fashion fun in Dallas, get your butts over there and you won’t be disappointed.  From Hippos to Cheetahs to Elephants to Crocodiles, you’ll find all types of animals that will surely impress.

And since I’ll be leaving this blazing hot town for another great American city (hint: it’s a mile high), I spent the past few days as a wide eyed tourist visiting world class destinations like the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Reunion Tower, the Dallas World Aquarium and Klyde Warren Park. Not to mention revisiting a few of my favorite spots including the Dallas Farmers Market and of course, the funky streets of Deep Ellum.

So until we meet again, I’ll miss you Dallas. All the best to everyone who braved a super hot summer and to all those returning from Montana!

Get your workout in y’all…and I’ll see you in Denver.

Peace – R