By David Tepera, July 12, 2023

Recently, Tina and I were reflecting over our childhoods. Just know, I grew up in the 1960s and ’70s, and of course, life was much different than today. Hopefully, your childhood was as memorable as mine.

In my neighborhood, there were tons of children, and we all went outside to play. We rode our bikes everywhere, including jumping wooden ramps and ditches.

It was easy to gather enough children for a game of kickball, driveway basketball or sandlot tackle football. I was fortunate to live next to Delany Lake by the College of the Mainland. Us boys would sneak into Delany’s property to fish, swim and ride the trails. We were never destructive and built great memories.

Whenever we had a good rain, we would find panels of wood and skim-boarded in everyone’s ditches. My side of the tracks did not have sidewalks.

At home, there were always chores to be had. Dad seemed to constantly have projects, and I was his helper. Once old enough, mowing grass was my responsibility, and just know, weed eaters were not invented yet. We used hand clippers and a manual edger.

How many of you or your children know how to change oil or fix a flat tire? I know today’s cars are much more complicated, but we did all our cars’ maintenance back in the day, including spark plugs, alternators, brakes and the list goes on. When my son Dylan had his first car, he learned to change a flat in the rain.

Also, it was rare for me to really enjoy sitting with the family to watch a television program. That’s because I was the youngest, which meant I was the remote control. I was constantly getting up to change the channel, adjust the volume and rearrange rabbit ears for better reception. So, really, I was still exercising before bedtime.

I know I’m over exaggerating, but I’m sure many of you are laughing because you can relate.

I’m glad I didn’t grow up in the world of video games. There were no overweight children in my neighborhood. Now, there is an obesity epidemic among all ages. It seems the world is getting easier, and the youth are getting softer. That’s on all you parents.

Now, we all want life to be better for our children than it was for us, but I feel it’s important to teach them responsibility, plus understand the importance of health and exercise.

By David Tepera, July 5, 2023

Take a good look at your life, and put the focus on all the successes. How much time and dedication did it take to reach your level of education or the title of your occupation?

You might’ve been passed up for promotions in the past, but instead of quitting, you stepped your game up and got a better offer.

How about those of you who’ve reached greater levels of health and fitness? I’m always impressed with people who challenge themselves in fitness. How many of you have ran a marathon, triathlon, MS 150 bike race, Iron Man competition or fill in the fitness blank?

How many failures and sacrifices did it take before you completed one of those races? When I competed in martial arts, I received many black eyes, bruises and bloody noses in order to being ranked in Texas.

There are many of you with artistic skills who can play an instrument, sing, draw, paint or possess the gift of writing. How many learning curves and failures happened along the way to create its beauty?

Believe me, I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I can’t sing, draw, play an instrument, and I can only cut-the-rug if I have a six pack of confidence. Just the oldies will get that joke.

But, I did develop a gift of writing through many failures. James LaCombe, the sports editor of this paper, mentored me to become a better writer.

Those of you who been following me through the years, I chose to bring people together, but to also challenge you personally. It’s easy to find people out there who want to divide us and for you to fail. Nope, we are all in this together, and we should have each other’s back.

Whatever you have succeeded in, you had to pass many failures along the way. Otherwise, you really don’t understand the value of success.

To me, people who won’t take responsibility and expect people to give them a handout will never feel the benefit of success. Quit blaming others for your failures.

Now, what are you striving for? What’s your next plan of success? Accept the failures along the way because they will help develop character. The most successful people I know are the most humble and kindest people to meet.

When you find a way to help others, you will find the greatest reward, and to me, that’s success.

By David Tepera, June 28, 2023

It’s no secret that sports and life are similar in many ways.

Those of you who choose to sit back and be passive will never accomplish your dreams, and life will quickly pass you by. You’ll wake up and wonder where all the years went and why you’re still in the same situation.

It’s possible that there is someone out there who’s less qualified than you living the life you want simply because they took action. Let that sink in for a moment.

Of course, there are those who are aggressive with goal setting who will eventually rise to the top. These people are not afraid of failure because they know it’s part of the process of winning. The more you fall, the faster you are at getting up.

Just know, the action you are most scared to take is the one that will change everything for you. If you won’t start today, you won’t start tomorrow either.

Believe me, Tina and I were scared for me to leave the secure corporate world of salary, commissions and full benefits, along with retirement. But, after 20 years, this old-timer wanted to control his destiny, and it could only happen by taking action.

By owning your own business, you’ll never work harder or longer, but it’s under your control to win.

What are you yearning for? What’s keeping you up at night? What action can you take today that will change your life forever?

Is it health-related, occupational, spiritual, relationships or recovering from a heartbreak?

We all need to improve our health by eating cleaner and exercising. I don’t need to preach to you because everyone knows their bad eating habits. Just take action with one small change. It could be as easy as giving up soft drinks for water. I know people who lost at least 15 pounds within two months by doing this.

Look, don’t be scared. You only have one life, and this isn’t a dress rehearsal. Don’t let people or situations keep you down. You are better than that. You are strong and beautiful, and this world needs you.

Starting today, you will have the best life possible because it’s time to take action.

By David Tepera, June 21, 2023

Out of all your skills, which one are you best at?

If you think about it, you’re best at the skill you practice the most. This skill could lead to positive or negative outcomes. It depends on what you want to be identified as.

How would you rate your employment knowledge? Are you a leader that lifts people up or a dictator that puts people down? Whichever that is, it’s up to you. Would you hire you?

Take notice of certain people in your workplace. Those who are considered slackers are usually the biggest complainers. They live in a negative world and are headed nowhere because this is what they practice.

Then, there are those who are ambitious and will reap the rewards of promotions and better income because they set goals.

Now, if you’re on top of your game and kicking butt in this world, the people who hate on you and try to knock you down are hiding behind their weakness. That’s what creates bullying.

What other areas of life are you practicing? Are you a respectful husband or wife, a loving father or mother, kind to strangers or just an overall good person?

In the gym environment, a very common phrase is that Monday is known as “international chest day.” You see, Monday is the busiest gym day and no one wants to expose their weakness, so the gym bros hover around all the chest equipment.

Tina and I will sometimes frequent other gyms. If it’s on a Monday, we will work legs because usually most of the leg equipment is available. I promise, the gym rats are laughing with me on this.

OK, that’s enough making fun of others. My purpose today is for you to work on your weaknesses. What can you start practicing to enhance your life?

According to the American obesity epidemic, most people need to improve their eating habits. Notice, I try not to use the word “diet” because most diets eventually set you up for failure.

Quit bouncing from one diet to the next fad diet, and start practicing healthier choices. When we were competing, I would immediately brush my teeth after dinner. This would help stop cravings for dessert or late-night snacks.

Today, the question you must ask yourself is “What can I start practicing that I want to be good at?”

By David Tepera, June 14, 2023

Today, your current stance is from all past failures and victories. The character you portray is the response from those previous experiences.

What are people’s first impressions when they meet you? Do they see a person standing there with confidence, healthy and a strong presence, or someone broken and defeated?

Listen, we all have our battles. Depending on what stage of life you’re in, some struggles are more severe than others. What you need to understand is that you cannot lose, if you don’t quit.

One of the most famous African-American track stars, Wilma Rudolph, suffered scarlet fever, whooping cough and measles. She survived infantile paralysis and required a leg brace until the age of nine. Rudolph went on to win three Olympic gold medals in 1960 and was considered the “fastest woman on Earth.”

What are you fighting today? Did you get bad news from your doctor? It doesn’t matter if your disease is self-inflicted or not because you’re going to begin this new battle.

Yes, you have the courage to go face to face with any diagnosis or health-related problems. You have control of what foods and liquids pour into your body. You have control of what you will allow your mind to accept. Your whole attitude and determination will now flow into a mean fighting machine.

Take a look over your life. How many battles have you already encountered? You might have battled to get through school, divorce, unemployment or the heartache of losing a loved one.

All these examples can easily lead to depression. If you need professional help, then seek it. You may need to lift your hands to the heavens and ask God to take over.

For me, besides my faith, the weight room became my salvation in conquering depression. It actually helped save my life. Today, is not my day for a testimonial, but this is part of the reason I own a unique fitness center. We change lives.

Now, it’s time to change and not be known for all your defeats. There’s no more walking around with your head down and “woe-is-me.” You’re better than that and it’s time to prove it.

Remember, life challenges you each and every day. Get up and start fighting back because you can’t lose if you don’t quit.

By David Tepera, June 7, 2023

I have the privilege of weight training my good friend and mentor Grand Master Al Garza of Premier Martial Arts. Master Garza is a strong Christian man with lots of philosophy and education to guide people toward better lives.

He recently turned 67 years old and shared his new 12-month challenging program. In the old boxing days, fighters would fight for 12 rounds. So, Master Garza is treating each month as a one-round fight. Of course, the goal at the end of each month is to be a winner in life.

Now, we all know life finds ways of sucker punching and knocking our feet from under us, but we must learn to get back up and keep swinging.

Master Garza asked an important question that made me take a deep look over my life. The question was “David, you’re going to be 62 years old, what’s your winning record?”

I would like to share that same question with each of you. How many years of life are winners compared to the challenging years of trying to survive?

I feel confident that once you tally the score, you’ll realize you are winning.

We all get down on ourselves for failures and defeats, but you must realize that you’re still alive and still in the fight.

As we get older and slow down, it’s easy to want to throw in the towel of life. I’m telling you to pick that towel back up and wipe off the sweat for your new fight. You might have lost a few rounds or years in the past, but not this year.

This whole philosophy pertains to everyone who has challenges in life. Are you still struggling with obesity, an abusive relationship, addiction or you fill in the blank?

Let the month of June be your first round in this year’s fight. If possible, write down a plan for success. Don’t worry if it doesn’t go as planned, just keep swinging and kicking. Remember, all fighters who win got punched in the face.

Sometimes, you have to learn to absorb the punches as you counter with your own.

If you fell off your diet, then start a new round tomorrow. Whatever failures that might have happened yesterday, then get back in the fight today.

Bottom line, don’t ever give up. You’ve put in the work, so now it’s time to come out on top.

For all of you, this year is yours to take back control of life, so let’s get ready to rumble!

By David Tepera, May 31, 2023

How many of you look at someone with huge muscles and say, “I could look like that if I took steroids.” Well, hold that thought and let me give you an insight into the life of a bodybuilder.

First of all, for women and men, there are multiple categories according to the body you want to sculpt. The categories range from an athletic beach body to the classic large muscular physique.

Tina, Dylan and my stories are similar to other bodybuilders, so this is what it takes. We’ve been lifting weights for many years before we decided to compete, so our bodies were accustomed to training.

To prepare for the competition, we performed a rigorous weight training program — six days a week for almost a year. There was no drinking or staying up late. We cooked all our food and ate six to seven times a day.

Once we were within three months of competition, our day started at 4 a.m. for breakfast, gym at 5 a.m. for an hour of posing, then shower and off to work. Eating every two hours, we were back at the gym around 6 p.m. for weight training. Afterwards, one last small meal with no carbs, a casein shake and bed.

Have you ever had boiled chicken, bland broccoli and jasmine rice for breakfast?

In the last few months, most bodybuilders will perform more than an hour of cardio per day. We stay somewhat lean year-round, so our cardio is minimal.

Let’s fast forward to the last week before the competition. This is where champions rise to the top.

Just know, the last week’s prep is all about science and understanding your body. It’s not the healthiest plan, but necessary to dial in on game day.

Six days from the competition, we drink 2 gallons of water per day, reducing a half gallon per day to only a half gallon of water on the day before the show. On the day of the competition, you can only have little sips of water every now and then.

Also, you cut out all carbs, sodium and seasonings for the entire week. Every night you must soak in a tub with Epsom salt for 20 minutes. Two days before the show, no lotion or antiperspirant.

The night before the show, there’s professional tanning over your entire body. It’s not like the local spray tan. No, it’s gooey and you feel like someone threw tar over you, plus you’re not allowed to shower. You’re hungry with no energy and very irritable, but because of the strict diet, your skin is now totally shrink-wrapped with every muscle fiber displayed.

On the day of the show: Wake up, eat a small breakfast and it’s time to battle. It’s typically an all-day event, with awards in the evening. The ultimate goal in competition is to win a pro status. The athletes’ bodies competing to win pro cards are off the chart. Tina and I competed against athletes 20 and 30 years younger than us.

In case you’re curious, I won two pro cards at the age of 55, Tina won two pro cards at the age of 46 and Dylan was an undefeated teenage champion.

Believe me, there’s so much more to this lifestyle than I can put in a small article. Today, we are not training for competition, but we still lift weights five days a week, along with maintaining a healthy diet.

My goal was to hopefully help you understand the discipline and sacrifice it takes to be a competitive bodybuilder. I tip my hat to all those who have stepped on stage. You’re all winners!

By David Tepera, May 24, 2023

Recently, I was having a conversation with my client Dr. Kyle Knupple, who’s a retired veterinarian from Galveston. Kyle brought up the importance of being proactive versus reactive.

In the veterinarian world, proactive is pertaining to preventive medicine, along with spaying and neutering. Owners should have their animals on heartworm prevention or any other needed medication for that particular breed. Don’t wait for the animal to suffer from certain ailments because then you’re forced to be reactive.

Now, our business is in the health industry, we find most of our clients are being proactive.

I’ve written it many times, and don’t know how to express it enough, but as you get older, lifting weights is the closest to the fountain of youth as possible. Yes, it’s my personal opinion, and, of course, we are all going to get weaker and eventually die, but why not start being proactive?

Even though we train all ages, the majority of our clients are in their 70s and older. Some came to us with a variety of ailments and joint pain, while others did not. The ones with joint pain were forced to be reactive, but since we’ve fixed their pain, they are now lifers who will continue to be proactive.

We’ve heard it from many, “I’d rather pay you than my doctor.”

So, are you taking vitamins or a variety of medications? I know as we get older there are certain medications that are needed, but through exercise and weight training, you can lower the dosage or eliminate it altogether. It’s up to you.

Now, I’m not trying to sell our gym. There are plenty of gyms in every town. Just find one that’s convenient and has the right atmosphere for you.

Get off the couch, stop making excuses and get proactive. It doesn’t matter what state of health you are currently dealing with. Get in the mindset that you are a champion. There’s a winner inside of you, and today you will start winning.

When we were babies, we had to learn to roll over, crawl, stand and fall, but we kept trying until we could run. If that’s how you need to start again, so be it. You will walk again, you can exercise, you can lift weights and you will conquer depression along the way. I promise!

This is your day. You’ll no longer be reactive when the doctor tells you about ailments. Nope, those days are over because from now on, you are proactive.

By David Tepera, May 17, 2023

In my business, I have the honor of working with many elderly people. Before my oldest client and best friend Pater passed away at 102 years old, we spent many years together training and hanging out.

At the end of each session, we would shake hands, but I always held on a little longer than normal. My thought process was, “If Pater’s hands could speak, what would be their story?”

Pater was a WWII vet, family man and self-made business entrepreneur, along with 102 years of life experience. He built houses, barns, boats and other construction-related structures.

Today, I have the privilege of working with a beautiful 90-year-old lady. We typically hold hands as I guide her from one weight-lifting machine to the next. I gather the same process of what all of Betty’s hands have touched and embraced throughout her many years.

How about your hands? What’s their story? How many babies have you held and loved? In my family, we are known as huggers. I’m fortunate to see my adult children almost every day. We never miss an opportunity to wrap our arms around each other and say “I love you.”

My wife Tina has beautiful hands with long fingers that are always manicured and painted. But, as a professional athlete with more than 25 years of lifting weights, her palms are slightly rough and calloused.

To me, it warms my heart when we hold hands strolling through public. It’s her hands that helped build our successful business, a beautiful home and, most importantly, the love in my heart.

Now, I’m not one to be unscathed, but what level of destruction have your hands caused? How many people have you hurt? Are you the person who’s always looking to get one over on someone?

Remember, bullying isn’t just physically putting your hands on people; using your hands to write division on the internet is just as evil.

No matter what past circumstances that have occurred, today can be the beginning of a great new story. Who can you reach out to and rebuild love and trust? Maybe, you can do volunteer work and make a difference in others’ lives. There are so many choices that your hands are capable of doing.

At the end of the day, take a look at your hands, and let them tell you a wonderful story.

By David Tepera, May 10, 2023

The best feeling of accomplishing anything is from all the personal work put into it.

How many of you enjoy planting and customizing the flowerbeds? It’s a joy to step back and admire the beauty it possesses, and even more so from the time and sweat you put into it.

For those of you who lost weight and got your body back in shape, how wonderful does it feel to hear all the compliments from others?

Your income and all possessions are a reflection of a strong work ethic and the sacrifices you made to get there.

Bottom line, if you want the rainbow, you must put up with the rain. Not everyone has the ambition and drive to put the work in. There are some people who are lazy and put their hand out, while others are driven to put their hand in. You have that choice of which you want to be.

To reach that pot of gold, how many thunderstorms and torrential rains did you have to battle?

Don’t get upset, but take it to heart when I encourage you to get off the couch, shut your laptops, quit complaining and take control of your destiny. Stop pointing the finger and take responsibility.

If you only see obstacles, then that’s what you will only focus on. Yes, you might have to work extra hours or take on projects, but in the end, it will lead to more income and promotions.

No matter what you’re wanting, keep your focus on the goal. I promise, the obstacles and rain storms will roll off like water. You will hurdle over road debris, run through whirling winds, swim through the high tides, and reap the rewards and possess all the beauty the rainbow shines upon.

Most of the clients at our fitness center are retired. My first comment is “Congratulations, you made it.” For all you retirees, you’ve battled every storm possible over the many years. If you want to enjoy the rainbow to its fullest, then create a new habit of exercise and weight lifting.

Now, there are many of you in the thunderstorms today. Just keep your head up with pride, chest out with confidence and keep grinding out each day. Because, if you do, I guarantee you’ll enjoy all the brilliant colors and rewards that come with the rainbow.