Tag: rich tola

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Kick Him to the Curb

These five simple yet powerful words are meant to help ANY woman who’s being abused by a significant other and doesn’t believe she has the wherewith-all or courage to do something about it.

Case in point: A few months ago I had just returned to Hollywood when I met this really sweet thirty-something year-old gal who had been living with her lazy, no-good boyfriend for the past 5 years. And I say lazy, no-good because not only does this scumbag mentally and emotionally abuse my friend, but this disrespectful low-life doesn’t pay rent, doesn’t hold a steady job, doesn’t look for work, doesn’t cook or clean or help with chores around the apartment, doesn’t help pay for groceries, and doesn’t own a car but always uses hers. Now I would call that a blood-sucking disrespectful low-life, wouldn’t you? The good news is she doesn’t own anything with him nor do they have children together.

Yesterday I had coffee with her and specifically asked why she still supports this abusive scumbag considering she has ALL the power in the relationship, which by the way, has her looking like she’s suffering from Anorexia nervosa. She meekly said, “He’s not so bad, you know, and even if I wanted, I wouldn’t know how to get him out.” My advice was these five simple words – KICK HIM TO THE CURB. She just looked at me like I was crazy until I said, “It’s really simple if you have the courage to end it – and here are three ways you can do it: 1) tell your landlord you’re being abused by your live-in boyfriend and you need to move out, then pack up all your things when he’s not there and hire a few very large men to help you move everything into a storage unit and go live with your parents or your best friend; 2) on your way out the door tomorrow morning tell your boyfriend he’s got until 5pm to vacate the premises and never return again, at which point you’ll be returning with the police (or other suitable protection) and a restraining order against him; or 3) pack-up all his belongings when he’s not there and leave them on the porch with a note saying if he comes within 100 yards of you or your apartment ever again, you’ll have him arrested (and go directly to the authorities for that restraining order).

Anyone who’s familiar with my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, knows that I’m passionate about changing the lives of women and children living in domestic violence shelters. And not just with a daily fitness program that’s based on Yoga, but with a self-respecting and open-hearted approach to life that starts with loving yourself and never letting anyone abuse you in any way, shape or form.

Know that ALL abusers are the weak ones, and know that ANYONE can find the courage to seek help from domestic violence organizations and shelters that are there for you.

Be strong and KICK HIM TO THE CURB – you can do it!

As for that scumbag boyfriend of yours – or anyone else abusing any man, woman or child – really look at yourself in the mirror and commit to changing your evil ways – you can do it! And you can start by reading my memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, where a portion of all sales goes to support my charity and our Yoga teachers.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Everyone! – R

PS – Don’t forget to get your workout in!

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Beware the Secret Affair

Here’s a follow-up to my recent blog – or rather Rant – about helping Ladies to stop wasting their precious time with bad-boys who just wanna have fun. Because for the most part Ladies, guys can be quite ruthless when it comes to dating.

Case in point: last night I was hanging with a bunch of twenty-something year-olds who were enjoying themselves over numerous Vodka Cranberries and Whiskey Sours. So this drunk guy starts talking to me about this gal he’s been secretly sleeping with for the past month. Interestingly, about 20 minutes earlier I specifically asked him if he was dating the hot party gal sitting across from me. Because as the wily veteran that I am, it was obvious she was smitten with him. He said no, of course, and proceeded to flirt with her until he asked me to join him for a smoke outside. And once outside, he started spilling the beans about his wild love affair with her – including ALL the sexy details of their romantic dalliances.

But wait, it gets better. As soon as we return to the table, his covert gal announces her departure and quickly leaves (and she was definitely hoping he would accompany her, but he didn’t). And not only did he stay, but as soon as she left he started hitting on her friend sitting right next to him. At which point I leaned over and said three simple words, “Don’t do it”. He just smiled at me and kept on pursuing. Until I finally pulled him aside and said “Hey buddy, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, and if he continues with his stupid pursuit he’ll certainly screw-up his torrid love affair and “be left holding his own d— in his hand”. He just smiled at me and said, “No chance pal, they’ll never know.”

Now it doesn’t take a genius to figure this one out, but there’s NO CHANCE this wanna-be Gigolo gets away with it. Fortunately for his sake, the unsuspecting friend denied his advances and soon left the bar. And fortunately for my sake, I didn’t have to be this chucklehead’s therapist since he didn’t say another word about it and was immediately hitting on other babes at the bar.

So there you have it Ladies – another disrespectful bad-boy who thinks he can score with two friends at the same time. Yes, I completely understand this mindset because 20 years ago I was this guy (go figure, right). So heed my advice and Beware the Secret Affair. And more importantly, when it comes to amateur Gigolos trying to be your Mr. Right Now, employ my favorite 4 letter word…NEXT.

And until next time…don’t forget to get your workout in! Enjoy – R

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Ladies Smarten Up

author, Rich Tola
Call this a Rant, but the following commentary is meant to help you ladies SMARTEN UP when it comes to men. That’s right, smarten up, because you can be quite stupid when it comes to wasting your precious time obsessing over the wrong guy. And since most women are like little girls who never grow-up and believe their Prince Charming in shining armor is going to swoop them away – sorry ladies, that only works for Julia Roberts & Richard Gere – they fall victim to bad-boy Gigolos wanting to score as their Mr. Right Now. I should know – I was one of them.

Let me explain with a real life example. This weekend I spent an hour with my sexy cool 33-year-old friend who’s also a really sweet gal whom I never slept with – which makes it easier for me to be her therapist (something I advise never to do, by the way, in my memoir Chapter 15 – Just Say No). She told me last week she met a really hot guy who she spent 3 days texting and talking to before they met for coffee on the 4th day. Sparks were flying and they talked about “meaningful relationships” and how they were both “done with the party scene” and all that.

So her 29 year-old Prince Charming talks like he’s “the one” and asks her to dinner the following night. The next day he never called or anything. So she texted him. No response. Now it’s a week later with no communication whatsoever and she’s whining to me about how she’s getting older and she’s not that attractive any more, and how she feels totally rejected by this chucklehead she really thought was the one. And of course she’s obsessing about whether he’ll still call, and if he does, should she say anything about him blowing her off for dinner or just leave it alone. Now I would call that wasting your precious time, wouldn’t you? So what did I suggest to my love-smitten friend? Forgettabout him!

Ladies, take heed of my favorite 4 letter word…NEXT. Because Mr. Right Now definitely got my friend’s text and choose not to contact her. He’s playing her for a fool and only wants to secure the power – don’t let him do it. Move on to better and brighter pastures and remain open to meeting Mr. Right. It’s not this guy, that’s for sure. Because if a guy doesn’t follow through, then he’s got something or someone else he wants to pursue that takes priority over you. Not good. Be strong and kick him to the curb. Better yet, run! Because Gigolos will only chip away at your self-confidence and self-respect. Something you should NEVER let happen. Respect yourself, just like you would with a Daily Fitness Program. However impossible it may seem, you CAN do it – if you just try and never give up! Because ANYONE can workout every single day and drink from the Fountain of Youth, as explained and simplified by me in Chapter 67 – Self Correct, for when the right man (or woman) does come along.

I have – for the past 40 years.

And for anyone looking to expand your mind – or change careers – here’s what Erica Lamberg with media giant Gannett writes about my memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, www.mycentraljersey.com (click link to read article).

There’s 386 pages packed full of 69 bite-sized Chapters detailing the fascinating journey of this street-smart Sicilian kid from “Jersey” who grew up poor then forged his way through the Wharton and Kellogg Business Schools, to Wall Street juggernauts Goldman Sachs and Drexel Burnham Lambert, to signing contracts with Donald Trump and reaching a net-worth of $10 million. Only to lose it all in the blink-of-an-eye, leading to an Epiphany (Chapter 47) that led to Yoga and enlightenment.

A mouthful I know, but it’s sure been a wild ride with tons of witty and heartfelt stories about growing up Sicilian with “Goombata Sal” and “representing the family”, to the “cute-boy syndrome” that fueled romances with a bevy of engaged and married women (and NYC strippers), to the plethora of major US cities and exotic locales where I lived, worked and played including NYC, LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, to the “nobody makes it here” streets of Hollywood.

You’ll also learn about domestic violence and why I founded a charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, to teach the benefits of Yoga to women and children living in domestic violence shelters. A portion of all my book and DVD sales are donated to this cause.

Enjoy…and don’t forget to get your workout in! – Rich

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BEWARE: 10 Most Frightful Pick-Up Lines

Listen up ladies, and BEWARE this Halloween season! Don’t be fooled by wannabe Gigolos serenading you with my 10 MOST FRIGHTFUL PICK-UP LINES. Because we all know that ghastly pick-up lines can scare the skeleton out of you and are mischievously laced with good ole’ fashion bullshit that’s meant to keep you talking – so those blood-sucking bad-boys can penetrate your sweet coffin and suck you dry! Enjoy – Rich

1. You live around here?
Probably the most classic of frightful pick-up lines from the most amateur of bad-boys with no shot at scoring. He’s just trying to bait you ladies into a conversation by asking you an innocent question. No chance suckas!

2. Where are you from?
Notice how these four simple words could spark a conversation? Don’t fall for it ladies! Or better yet, answer it with: Barsoom (the planet Mars from Edgar Rice Burroughs and the sci-fi classic, John Carter). Or just a sweet smile that says “cute, but not enough”.

3. What’s your name?
Ouch, this one hurts just reading it! If she wanted you to know her name, chucklehead, then she would have introduced herself in the first place! NEXT.

4. Haven’t I seen you in the movies?
What do think she’s an idiot! And what’s that mean, “in the movies”? Like Titanic or Twilight or We Bought a Zoo? So what are you thinking, pal? That this weak attempt at a complimentary statement disguised as a question will touch upon her deep dark desire to be a starlet? Think again my un-original friend, your feeble attempt at flattery will get you nowhere!

5. You’re really hot!
Really? You think this frightful pick-up line will work? Are you kidding me! How many times have you heard this one ladies? From every chucklehead on the street just throwing bullshit against the wall and hoping it’ll stick. Forgettaboutit!

6. Don’t I know you?
Of course she doesn’t know you, you idiot! Don’t you know that women are smarter than men and usually pay more attention when first meeting someone, especially a wannabe Gigolo like yourself trying to pilfer her trick-or-treat bag. If she already met you, then chances are you’ve already crashed and burned while trying to hit on her with another one of my 10 Most Frightful Pick-Up Lines from this list!

7. Have we met before?
Come on guys, another feeble attempt at striking up a conversation by asking an innocent question that requires her to really look at you before answering. Can be a tricky one that sneaks up on you ladies, but don’t be fooled! If you met him before then you already know that he’s probably haunted by ’50 Shades of Playerdom’. NEXT.

8. Is that you VANESSA? (or any other name)
This is definitely one of those classic Trick-or-Treat lines: if he’s wrong, then who does he think you are, some two-bit hussy who doesn’t leave an impression? And if you met him before and told him your name, then he should at least remember the place where you met and not guess wrong. Especially if you made a connection. And if he guesses correctly, then go for it! He’s either telling the truth and you’re in for a real Treat, or get ready for a wild hayride because he’s a real psychic and a goblin with a bag full of Tricks!

9. You have BEAUTIFUL eyes! (or any synonym)
Once again, let me ask my favorite question, “So what does that mean?” Because any subjective comment complimenting a woman’s asset, whether it be her eyes or her earlobes is just that: subjective. And usually full of Gigolo bullshit that’s meant to move the conversation forward. Don’t be fooled ladies! If you have beautiful eyes, a wonderful smile, great legs or whatever, you already know it and have been told a million times. BEWARE of all these Mr. Right-Nows with Frightful Pick-Up Lines that make you feel like they CARE!

10.Do you believe in love at first sight?
Give me a break! What decade do think this is, the Psychedelic 60’s where Peace & Love was all the rage? Come on guys, you can do better than this. It’s embarrassing! Because if you were truly blessed with love at first sight, you wouldn’t have to inquire about it. It’ll just happen, because it’s meant to be and the Universe wants it to be. I know, a lot of Zen master mumbo-jumbo that’s not fit for a player like you. Well think again, you ethereal chucklehead, and put your frightful pick-up lines to bed! Amen

A former Wall Street executive turned Hollywood actor and Zen master, Rich Tola is a proud Sicilian boy and native of New Jersey. Self-described as having the ‘cute boy’ syndrome, Tola left a million dollar Wall Street career to head West to Hollywood, to follow his dream of acting. Tola is also passionate about fitness and health and is working to aid victims of domestic violence. He is donating a portion of book sale proceeds to his charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, which teaches the benefits of yoga to women and children living in domestic violence shelters. He believes that if you feel sorry for yourself, STOP! Start believing that anything is possible, set your sights high and never give up. Tola graduated from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. Tola’s new book, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, is available for purchase at www.Amazon.com and www.RichTola.com. Tola’s colorful and exotic dating experience is also magnified in his sexy new memoir, including 69 bite-size chapters with more than 50 stories detailing the bevy of women he has “dated”—single, engaged and married.

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From The Big Apple to Screenland

Or shall I say, From Wall Street to Hollywood. Because if you didn’t already know, Screenland is synonymous with Hollywood and the movie industry. And you definitely know The Big Apple, my second all-time favorite city. Yes, it’s true, I’ve just moved back to Los Angeles – my favorite city in the world – after spending the past nine months exploring such unique and beautiful locales like Honolulu and San Francisco, not to mention my most recent adventures in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

In fact, when you read my intriguing new memoir that’s quite a page-turner, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, you’ll experience life in a plethora of other great cities I called home including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Princeton. And don’t forget my hometown of Trenton, NJ, where old-school Sicilian customs and traditions like representing the family, funerals, and falling off the truck were all the rage! Well, you get my drift. There’s tons of exciting stories from across the globe…with women attached, of course.

So I’m happy to report I’m “back in the wood” and here for good. North Hollywood, actually, because I always wanted to explore this NOHO neighborhood and Studio City part of town. At least until Howard Stern or Wendy Williams calls to have me on their NYC shows! Hey, ya neva’ know!

Have a great day everyone, and don’t forget to add at least a modicum of daily workout to your reading today. Enjoy – R

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I’ve landed in Bushwick

Where in the world is Bushwick, you might ask? A far cry from Hollywood and the “Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, right? Well, not exactly.

Bushwick is a neighborhood in the northern part of Brooklyn, bounded by Williamsburg to the west, East New York to the east, Bed-Stuy to the south, and Ridgewood, Queens to the north. With a population of about 150,000, “most residents are Latinos from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico and from the Dominican Republic, but more recent years have seen an increase in native-born Americans as well as other Latino groups, particularly immigrants from Mexico”. And with a subway stop right outside my front door (the elevated M line), I can reach downtown Manhattan in about 20 minutes.

So why choose Bushwick for the next leg of my journey? Specifically to put me close to Wall Street where I can sell my sexy memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, and most importantly, where I can affordably re-connect with my acting roots and audition for that role of a lifetime – or any suitable roles in film, TV and even Broadway for that matter. Yes, Broadway, because just like my book says, “it’s a calling” and “the proof is in the pudding”, so let the talented survive and the confident thrive.

And for anyone looking to expand their horizons and be inspired to try – that is, to pursue your true passion that may lead you to greatness – then read my memoir and decide. Because you really can achieve anything in life if you believe in yourself and just set your sights and try!

Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood is available in paperback ($15.99) and in ebook on Kindle ($9.99). A portion of sales help women and children survivors of domestic violence.

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Public Opinion beats Self-Promotion

Of course I believe my life’s journey is worth reading about and my new memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, will entertain and enlighten you with an assortment of interesting lifestyles, careers, and cultures – not to mention women – or else why write it? Plus, sales of my book also support my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, teaching yoga to women and children living in domestic violence shelters.10% of all book and DVD sales go to the foundation.

But don’t take my word for it. I received this from a gal in NYC:

“I just finished reading your book. I ordered it last Tuesday and it came on Friday and I finished reading it Saturday night! I want you to know I have NEVER in my 36 years of life read a book that fast! Your book was witty, funny, charismatic, intriguing and extremely heartfelt. You had me in tears a few times throughout the book. It was a real page turner.”

What makes my 386 pages of adventures from Wall Street to Hollywood – and everything in between – fly by is the 69 bite-size Chapters that creatively detail delightfully true stories along my life’s timeline. So there’s lots of stories and lots of sex. Yes, well, what can I say. I’m certainly comfortable with my colorful (and oftentimes wild) past and my evolution to a retired “player”. So my memoirs are sexy and they’re also thoughtfully written “to protect the innocent”, as another happy reader said.

Check it out on AMAZON or CLICK HERE

And don’t forget to get your workout in! Enjoy – R

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Readers say book’s an “intriguing, sexy, page-turner”

Over the past six weeks readers of my new memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, said my life’s been one helluva page-turning journey filled with intrigue, sex and lucrative careers – to say the least.

Of course I’d love to be reviewed by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle (I’ve sent them copies), as well as any other book club or national critic. Because the proof is in the pudding – and self-promotion is quite humbling. So check it out for yourself, it’s an entertaining timeline of my life with tons of colorful and insightful – and oftentimes poignant – stories about everything from funerals and old-school Sicilian customs, to selling Junk bonds on Wall Street and The General Motors Building for The Trump Organization, to what it means to be a Yoga teacher and an actor trying to “make it” on the elusive streets of Hollywood.

Thanks for reading and enjoy! And don’t forget your daily workout – R

Click HERE to BUY on AMAZON.com

A portion of all book and DVD sales is donated to my charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, teaching yoga to women and children living in domestic violence shelters.

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At the Heart of My Memoir – Learn From the Best

Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to HollywoodAfter the plethora of sexy, intriguing and true stories in my new memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, the essence of my life’s journey is captured in Chapter 68 – Learn From the Best.

So here’s my favorite chapter and a few photos of me from the book. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD the e-book on
www.AMAZON.com for $9.99

Chapter 68 – Learn From the Best

Remember the movie Splash (1984), with Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks? Do you wish you could do that? Just dive into the ocean and start a new life? How cool would it be to have the courage to completely change who you are. The thing is, that’s the great thing about your movie – you’re the actor, producer and director, so you can change anything you want.

How? Self-correct and GO TO THE POSITIVE. I didn’t say to just think positive, because more is needed. It’s about going all the way with thinking, feeling and being positive. Feel more, think less. Heavy stuff, I know, so let me explain with an example. I know a sixty-something gal who no matter what we talk about, she’ll go the negative. When I told her I was writing a book about my life, she said, “Oh, you can get writer’s block, you know.” When I told her I would be getting a publisher when I finished, she said, “Oh, that’s so hard to do.” And when I told her I was going on a book tour when I finished, she laughed and said, “Oh, don’t be delusional.” I don’t know about you, but these are some pretty negative thoughts. You might say she can’t help herself because that’s what she’s experienced and believes, but I ask, why not believe the opposite will happen, and say, “That’s awesome Rich, you will get a good publisher, and I look forward to your book signing.” That’s the positive approach to life, and it communicates that you’re open to the realm of possibilities. Because anything is possible if you set your sights and try.

Whenever anybody says anything close in meaning to that phrase, “it’s hard”, I think of the paraplegic gal in my Mother’s Day yoga class, smiling from ear-to-ear, giving it all she had. Was it hard? Yes. Did she succeed? Absolutely.

Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to HollywoodI should know. Thirty days ago I started writing my first book, and now it’s almost finished. I want to keep going, because I love it and see an infinite world of possibilities. And so can you, regardless of your passion. Remember, it’s about finding and following your passion. Then grow it from there. And just because no one else in the world has ever done it, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Did anyone say, Man on the Moon, or Apple Computer, or Facebook? You get my point. And never think you can’t do something because your family or friends don’t think you can – send them the press clippings when you succeed. Do it for you.

Always learn from the best. And if you can’t learn from the best, find someone that has, and learn from them. The same goes for teachers. I laugh every time I hear my best friend Angelae say, “Honey, would you take financial advice from a homeless person?” Because wouldn’t you want to learn from someone who truly exemplifies the profession, whatever it is?

Stay focused on what you’re doing, no matter what it is. Relax, listen and focus. Most importantly, listen. Because it makes you better at everything. The same holds true for your body – listen to how it feels. From the time you wake-up, until the time you go to bed. Listen and self-correct with proper posture and breathing.

Once I started feeling and not just thinking, everything changed. As males we’re taught not to feel, just think it through and forge ahead. I’ve learned this isn’t always the smartest thing to do. Give it some thought guys, and try sitting and feeling without thinking sometime. I remember the first time my acting coach, Roberta, had us lie on the ground and just feel. “Is she serious?” I never tried to just “feel” before. She would come around and whisper something deeply personal in my ear, and say, “Now just let go and feel”. I thought, “Why?” She said, “Once you truly feel, you’re more aware of yourself and your gifts”. You really do find assets you never knew you had.

And whatever knowledge you acquire from the best, now simply innovate and take it to another level, trusting your instincts. And most importantly, be you. And never be afraid to fail or to look foolish to the crowd. Because what does it matter anyway what other people think? Always trust yourself and have confidence in your abilities. The greatest professional basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, said, “I’ve missed 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot – and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” So heed advice from a legend who got cut from the varsity team his sophomore year in high school.

Finally, remember what the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, Helen Keller, said, “Never bend your head low. Hold it high and look the world straight in the eye.”

Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood by Rich Tola © 2012

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Simply Between Millions on KINDLE now!

My colorful memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, is now available on Amazon’s KINDLE. Click HERE to download for $9.99.

A portion of all sales are donated to The Boulevard Zen Foundation, teaching yoga to women and children living in domestic violence shelters.

Thanks for reading…and don’t forget to get your workout in! – R