Never Live in Fear – Ep 20 – Tola Talks Texas

Today is all about doing whatever it takes to never live in fear. Because during the past two years of this COVID pandemic, the powers to be have done their best to control you by instilling fear in your mind, body and spirit. No doubt fear controls – so never let it happen. In our last Tola Talks Texas, at least for now while I travel and spend time with family, I do my best to communicate why we need to get rid of the divide between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Plus kudos to Bill Maher for his recent monologue about not wanting to live in a masked, paranoid world and never being scared of COVID, but rather the reaction to it. Not to mention this particular comment that I totally agree: So, the fact that America, the medical establishment never even attempted to get people to live a healthier lifestyle as response to this pandemic is a giant scandal to me. Right on Bill, because everyone needs to get with the program and Drink from the Fountain of Youth, like I do. And no matter what, stay strong, stay positive, stay true to your dreams…and get your workout in.

Peace – R

Top 10 Phobias – Ep 13 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re having some fun with the Top 10 Phobias that have millions of Americans shaking in their boots. Because fear of anything including the number 13 is usually a bad thing that controls your mind, body and spirit. Especially in these fear-mongering Coronavirus times, everyone should – and must – face their fears head-on. Regardless of their origins, whether Biblical or pre-Christian or Babylonian times, phobias are real so we’re counting them down. Including two rather innocuous ones I just made up: Gymophobia and Yogaphobia. Fear of working out and fear of doing yoga…both of which you should never fear if you want to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Like I do.

Fountain of Youth Wins The Firebird Book Award

EIGHTY FOUR AUTHORS AWARDED THE FIREBIRD BOOK AWARD

April 2021 – Speak Up Talk Radio announced the winners of 2021’s first quarter FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS contest. Eighty four winners were announced in 98 categories.

One of the winning entries was from California author Rich Tola whose book titled How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth, won in the Aging and Mind/Body/Spirit categories.

Authors and publishers from around the world submitted their work to the Firebird Book Awards. A panel of 12 judges within the writing and publishing space then read every book and independently scored each entry according to a set of standardized criteria that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as production aspects. Only entries with the highest of scores are awarded the coveted Firebird.

Patricia J. Rullo, founder of the Firebird Book Awards, says, “This quarter’s entries were a joy to read and speak to the talent out there. At Speak Up Talk Radio, our mission is to offer radio interviews and podcasting services to help authors expand their reach. In addition to additional prizes, our winners have the opportunity to be interviewed and aired on iHeart Radio, Pandora, as well as 50 additional online venues, giving them new ways to speak up and share their work.”

Pat adds, “We’ve included a charitable component to our awards by making all entry fees tax-deductible to the author. In return, we personally make and send handmade fun and whimsical pillowcases to women and children in homeless shelters via Enchanted Makeovers, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All entry fees fund this project. In this way, authors can get notoriety for their work while doing good for others. It’s been such a rewarding venture for everyone.”

The Firebird Book Awards run quarterly contests so authors can receive recognition on a timely basis. Authors from all genres, mainstream, independent, and self-published are welcome. Additional winning authors and titles as well as entry information is available at https://www.speakuptalkradio.com

How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth is available in paperback and eBook (English & Chinese) plus the Audiobook narrated by Rich. For information visit www.richtola.com

Time to de-COVID-tize your Habits

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

It’s exactly one year since the Coronavirus shut us down and we’re slowly getting back to normal, so it’s time to de-COVID-tize your Habits. That is to say, keep the good ones and delete the bad. It’s also been a while since my last Tola Talks 2.0, so it’s good to be back! Today is all about getting you back on track with those pre-COVID routines that include your old – and good – habits. So let’s re-tool, re-focus and stick to the winners that served your well.

All the while staying safe and strong and thinking positive along the way…also know as “Step 11 – Think Positive” in my new book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth. Because who doesn’t want to live their best possible life. Now available in audiobook.

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

Tola Yoga on Zoom – New Passcode

Hey everyone, we figured out Zoom and made it easier for you with a new Passcode: tolayoga. Same Meeting ID: 917 1004 1603 and start time 9a (PT).

Go to Zoom.us this Saturday – and every Saturday morning until Christmas – and I’ll see you on mat! Peace – R

5 Stars on Amazon…thanks Andrea Burrows!

Click to read it on Amazon.com

“Inspirational and Doable!!!! Rich Tola’s chapter by chapter self help advice is an inspirational and motivational book that should be read by anyone who wants to be their best self and live their best life (seems like a read that Oprah and Deepak Chopra would like)!

What I love about this quick read is that it equates youthfulness with a persons mind, body, spirit and energy. The author defines aura and emphasizes the importance of keeping it vibrant! He also explains how passion and kindness are both energies that others can feel.

He’s had several successful careers and is able to write from experience. He gives very practical and wise advice that he has gathered from everywhere from his father to the ancient Greeks, to hypnotherapy, to Winston Churchill to his Ivy League education.

With a friendly, inclusive and encouraging tone in his writing, Tola is sharing an approach to life that has allowed him to feel youthful, successful and happy! At age 57, he feels more than 2 decades younger than his actual age and even in reading him without meeting him, his youthful energy feels contagious! He is living proof that the 30 steps he speaks of are 30 disciplines that get positive results.

I completely agree with what Tola has written and I feel more inspired each day since reading it!

Thanks so much Andrea, and hey everyone, take heed from someone who gets it…Everlasting Youth is DOABLE, no doubt!

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

New! How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth

Look! It’s a book, it’s a plane, it’s a journal. Wait, it’s definitely not a plane, but yes, it’s both a book and a journal.

With dozens of extra pages for Notes and Journaling as well as for memorializing your Dreams, Actions and Small Victories, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth is an inspiring “how-to manifesto” about drinking from the mythical fountain – like I do – that keeps on manifesting long after you’ve read it. There’s also a 50-word Glossary making it perfect for any age, albeit I wrote it for the mature adolescent on up.

This book is ideal anyone looking to lose weight, feel more energized, be more confident, define their personal goals and aspirations, plus grow mentally as well as improve their entire outlook on life. It’s also for aspiring Millennials still searching for their calling, and for Baby Boomers who finally have the money but not the motivation to pursue their passion.

Click the cover below to buy it on Amazon for $12 USD – Made in the USA. Thanks for reading everyone, and get your workout in! Peace – R

Tola Yoga for Beginners…and Yes, it’s Challenging

Check-out yesterday’s Tola Yoga class LIVE on Periscope. 45 minutes of Yoga that anyone can do! And a special thanks to our wonderful Yoga student showing you precise poses, Elif Pilicer.

Have an awesome weekend everyone, and tune-in this Sunday at 1p (CT) for our Tola Yoga by the Lake class on Periscope.tv/richtola, including Vika, Lauren, Amy, Rhonda and Stephanie.

Peace – R

Tola Yoga workouts are 45 minutes and incorporate 5 key elements: Yoga Stretches, Abdominals, Core Strengthening, Balancing & Foundation Poses (Warriors, Triangles, Extended Side Angles).

Conscious Living: 10 Years & Counting

This morning I read an article by psychotherapist Bonnie Katz about the emotional roller coaster ride Actors are subject to throughout their careers – especially those of us auditioning for that break-out role – and what it takes to be The Conscious Actor.

RichTola2007Whether or not your life’s calling takes you on that rather lonely path of emotional ups and downs filled with countless auditions resulting in countless silent rejections (which I more colorfully address in my memoir), then take Bonnie’s advice when she says, “Be your own best friend and take care of your emotional life. Stay away from people who are negative and not supportive of you. Be around people who lift you up, not pull you down.” No doubt.

Most importantly – at least I think so and something I’ve been blogging about since I started this website 6 years ago – and as Bonnie says, “Keep yourself in top mental and physical shape.”

Interestingly enough, this week marks my 10 year anniversary of practicing the “Conscious Living” Art of Yoga. Talk about keeping you in excellent mental and physical shape…not to mention spiritual, Yoga is an amazing way to level off those emotional ups and downs no matter what path you’re on. For the past 9 years, I’ve taught more than 20,000 students and there’s no question that every single one of them has benefited from taking at least one class.

Positivity not negativity. Strong body and a clear mind. Believe you can and sit tall in the saddle. Never judge yourself, just do the best you possibly can and delete excuses from your repertoire. All things I recommend no matter what you do in life. And workout every single day while incorporating the principles of Yoga into your everyday life.

It’s worked for me and it will certainly work for you. Peace – R

Mind games never work

I was working out next to this very large twenty-something year old guy in the gym the other day when he says to his friend, “I told myself I’m going to lose 15 pounds, so when I don’t make it and only lose 10, it’ll be a success.  Because I only need to lose 10.”  So what’s wrong with this statement?  Besides the fact that he’s just casually throwing around words and talking about what he’s going to do, he’s playing mind games with himself and not facing up to the truth.  Because when it comes working out and/or significant weight loss, it’s critical to be honest with yourself.  Never judge yourself or the outcome, but be honest. Mind games never work.  Because your subconscious knows the truth and will always sabotage your games.  Rightly so, since any successful program begins with honesty, commitment and self-discipline.  So forget the mind games and let the real games begin with a daily fitness program.  With today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #100, why not BRIDGE your way backwards to the next 100 days!  Enjoy – R