By David Tepera, April 29, 2020

Every major tragedy that’s struck our country, we remember exactly what we were doing at that moment in time. Every one of us can tell a detailed story of where we were during the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Now, at this very moment, we are in the midst of an invisible enemy. At some point in the future, you’ll look back at this time and tell the story of how you reacted. Did you panic, stay calm or get upset with this tragedy? Will your story be about determination and camaraderie or pointing the finger at others?

Since we are professional athletes and own a fitness center, it excites us to see people outside walking, running and biking. We receive emails and messages almost daily from people asking for healthy cooking and exercising tips.

So, what this means is people are using this catastrophe to improve their health. I’m hoping once we can get this economy rolling again that the healthy trend will continue.

Of course, we recognize there will still be those who’ve isolated themselves and will come out from under the rock in worse shape than before. Remember, that’s your choice. No one is telling you to sit on the couch all day stuffing your face with chips and soda.

What other areas in your life are changing during the shutdown? We have a client learning to play a musical instrument and another learning Spanish online.

Truly, I’m hoping families are strengthening relationships and spiritual beliefs. The kids, Tina and I spend almost every evening in the backyard talking about the day’s quests and game planning tomorrow’s accomplishments. Each day has its own set of goals.

No, we are not sitting idle. We are striving and being productive in every way possible. We’ve been preparing our fitness center for a comeback with a new set of guidelines.

So, again, what story are you going to tell and reflect on in the future? What positives changes are you making that will last a lifetime? I feel it’s imperative for all of us to have compassion for each other. We don’t shame anyone for their choices in this matter. We each have a different set of circumstances, so let others choose their destiny. Just make sure your story has a happy ending.

By David Tepera, April 22, 2020

There are many of you who are gearing up to get back to work, save your business or start something new. Just remember, this time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.

In the past, I started up a few companies, and for different reasons, they ended up failing. It wasn’t until Tina and I joined together to create the Ageless Muscle brand did success finally happen.

The lessons from our previous experiences helped make our specialty fitness center different from all others. Bottom line, we learned what not to do.

I guarantee, all businesses who were forced to shut down are creating new plans. Even professional sports and venues are putting heads together to keep from falling again.

This virus came out of nowhere to give all of us a negative and catastrophic experience we weren’t prepared for. But now, the experience is with us, so what did you learn from it?

In an odd way, I was explaining to my adult children that while I was raising them, they benefited from me being older. I was almost 40 years old when my youngest child was born. I let them know, that they didn’t get the energetic young father, but they got the wiser one who could guide them with best advice possible.

OK, it’s your turn. This virus situation was your wake-up call to finally start that business, change occupations, online school and so on that you’ve been talking about for too long.

One of the main reasons we bought our gym was to control our destiny. We make all the final choices of who joins or trains with us. Just know, we’ve never turned away someone older or with medical conditions because it is our specialty.

Every one of us has a specialty that the world can benefit from. What’s yours? As long as it improves or makes lives better, you’ll find success.

Just remember to keep it simple in the beginning. Only provide one or two services or products. That way as your experiencing some failure or financial loss, you’re not too invested in that product. Once you’ve learned what not to do, you’ll move forward in a better direction.

Today, start a new life plan and just get moving. Quit waiting for the right time because the time has come, and you know it. You’ll figure things out along the way because you already have experienced life.

By David Tepera, 4/16/2020

As we all know, most sports require a playbook to help succeed in multiple situations.

Football is a good example because each succession of downs comes straight from the playbook. The team’s next move is according to stats and tendencies gathered about the opponent. These playbooks help coaches decide to either pass, run, punt the ball, etc.

Now, since all our lives have been disrupted, according to your situation, what’s in your playbook? Just like each set of downs is different, every day our lives are changing. You must prepare to succeed by having a variety of plays.

Even in football and other sports, there are timeouts to regroup and change your game plan.

I believe we all understand the most crucial days are now and in the coming weeks. Since we are all on the same team to defeat the virus, we must execute our plays together to win this game.

Just like you, my family and I need to have the numbers start declining so we can begin the opportunity for life to get back to normal. Of course, this will take some time since the economy is tanking.

Tina and I have started making a list of our local restaurants and places we used to frequent. Once they are allowed to reopen, we will give them our business to help bring them back.

Just know, restaurants are working on their playbook. They understand the importance of changing their business model. Tables and seating will be further apart, less staff, less choices of food items, but there will be many attractive specials to get us back in.

Let’s get back to your playbook. Do you have a plan to take back your life? The virus results and statistics are changing daily. Yes, we must move forward with precaution, but you must move forward.

There are many people who’ve lost their income. Open your eyes to other opportunities. I know a young man who developed his own delivery service by picking up food, prescriptions and other items needed by seniors. He even drives them to the doctor’s office, if needed. He claims that he is booked and staying busy because these seniors are the most vulnerable to the virus and need his assistance.

Right now, there are some of you saying this young man needs to stay quarantined at home, but I will argue differently. Since, he helps multiple people, he is the only one out there instead of all the others. Make sense?

Right now, the only person you can control is yourself. Get your thinking caps on and design a playbook that will win championships.

By David Tepera, April 8, 2020

Like most of you during this crisis, I was having one of those days where I couldn’t shake negative thoughts. Not only about what’s happening to all of us, but my mind went into other negative situations throughout my adult life. I was reflecting on every bad decision I had made. It was getting me upset and depressed.

Then, out of nowhere, as I glanced into my rearview mirror, I saw a man of accomplishments. I flipped my thinking to being thankful for all that I have. I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful loving family.

It was from that moment of thankfulness that I made a conscience decision to only let positive thoughts enter my mind. In the past, I used the power of positive thinking many times.

The key to making this power work is to not wish for things, but to actually take on the feeling of already having it.

For example, during our training season, practicing posing routines is a huge part of the process. At the end of each posing session, Tina and I would rehearse our “thank you” speech for winning first place. We programmed our mindset to be crowned champions before we ever stepped on stage. And, of course, it worked because we became professional athletes.

Tina and I used this power to attract our beautiful home that’s perfect for us. Also, we created the Ageless Muscle brand, bought our first fitness center and developed a weight training formula for our medical and older clients.

My whole purpose for sharing my experiences is for those of you struggling with your current situation. No, we can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control our thoughts. I understand it’s not easy but take this moment to put down the paper and reflect on all that you can be thankful for.

We all have a different set of circumstances, but one thing we have in common is we are alive and in this together.

Take a good look at your family and realize they need you to be strong and happy. Every day, I find ways to make my family laugh. It’s time to find the kid in you and be as silly as possible. Yep, I’m the biggest dork in the house but watching my family laugh brings joy to me.

Listen, you need to win from within, and this starts by creating your destiny with the power of positive thinking.

By David Tepera, April 1, 2020

At this time, we are all glued for any information regarding the coronavirus. Of course, with each day, we’re hoping for some better news and relief. This virus has some people on edge because there are factors, laws, regulations and rules placed upon us, which seems we have lost control of our lives.

Let me be clear, our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we respond to it.

Each and every one of us must change our daily routines to do our part in this battle. My family and I are treating this situation as one of our body building competitions. To be crowned with a first-place finish, there were many sacrifices needed.

For example, during the last few months before the show, we gave up eating out and socializing. Our days were spent training, eating and posing, so that’s how we’ve chosen to respond to the regulations during the coronavirus. Bottom line, we are keeping our spirits high.

What about you? How are you responding to this current situation? Are you walking around in a bad mood, or are you the person lifting others up?

We have people reaching out to us about weight training at home without gym equipment. There’s a video posted on our Ageless Muscle Facebook page about a variety of full body weight training utilizing plastic grocery bags filled with can goods.

The whole purpose of the Facebook video is for you to find ways of being creative to stay in shape.

Another example is using your child’s backpack filled with books to perform pushups, sit-ups, lunges and squats.

Remember, exercise isn’t just good for you physically, but mentally as well. I’m sure there are many of you who are getting depressed sitting at home wondering what each day will bring us. My advice is to take long walks in the sunny fresh air and only let positive thoughts enter your mind.

This all will pass eventually and how you respond will determine your outcome. We plan on coming out beyond the lock downs to be in best shape possible to win another show.

As professional athletes, all our competitions had other athletes bringing their “A game.” Join us to become champions over COVID-19. Get your game face on and do your part to kick its butt because our lives aren’t determined by what happens to us, it’s how we respond.