By David Tepera November 21, 2023

Yes, Thursday is Thanksgiving to which there’s a variety of experiences for each of us. Not everyone is fortunate to have a family feast tradition, but if not, volunteer and make a difference in others’ lives.

For those who have the wonderful experience of gathering with family members each year, remember, the family hosting is usually over-stressed. They want this to be a happy memory for all to take with them, so the preparation can be overwhelming.

Here’s my little advice from all the years of our Thanksgiving holidays. I’m sure most of you do this, but the biggest help you can give to the host is helping with the cleanup. Teach your young children to put their dishes away and take out the trash, get the teenagers to clean the dishes and have men fold chairs and tables and put them away. Bottom line, before everyone leaves, make sure the house is in order.

I promise, if you’ve ever hosted a big family event, besides all the cooking, it’s the cleanup that’s most stressful.

Other than that, take this family moment to embrace and love each other. You never know who might not be there the following year. It’s a festive time to let go of all the craziness that’s going on in the world, and create wonderful memories. This is what you will be thankful for.

My mom hosted Thanksgiving my entire life until dad’s passing a few years ago. Tina and I decided to take over and relieve the stress off mom. We are now the new tradition, and we love hosting family and friends. It will consist of cousins, siblings, parents, grandparents and more. It’s a wonderful time for all of us.

Not everyone has family to spend with, but what’s your tradition? What are you thankful for?

For some reason, if you’re feeling down, go for a walk. Look to the skies with a smile and go through a list of happiness. Smile at strangers and make this world a better place. Create your own tradition that makes a difference to others.

The holiday season is upon us, so embrace it and recognize all there is to be thankful for.

By David Tepera, November 15, 2023

For most of us, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking more about our problems than our successes.

Yes, our battles come more frequently than we would like. It’s not fair, but people typically forget your wins but never forget your failures. It’s up to you to flip those failures as lessons that will lead to winning.

Just know, successful people attack problems with solutions. When a difficult situation hits the fan, what’s your response? Do you throw your hands in the air, point fingers and complain? Or, do you show leadership, get into the grind and find a solution?

In sports, when the team is down with the clock running, true leaders want the ball and will find a way to win. Michael Jordon holds the record of nine buzzer-beater wins. As all us old-schoolers know, Jordon was the most dominant player of his era.

Just because you’re down, doesn’t mean you are out. Just ask Tom Brady, Nolan Ryan, Wayne Gretzky, Serena Williams and many other elite athletes. This category includes CEOs, business owners and anyone else who is giving this world their best.

The best comeback person I personally knew who stayed positive and found solutions was my Grandma Frances Tepera. She lost a husband and three children during her life. Grandma was the one who gave me strength when I lost my two oldest sons. Parents are not supposed to bury their children. Children bury their parents.

Now, what’s holding you down? What will it take to think positively and find solutions? You get to script the ending of any situation, so put your blinders on and get to work.

You have control of your life, so don’t let anyone out-work you. Surround yourself with positive people. Find a way to release those holding you back that live in a negative world. You don’t need anchors, so put wind in your sails.

Remember, every situation has a solution. People want you to fail because it makes them feel better about themselves. But, that’s not you. You can step into the ring of any challenger and give it your best.

Yes, sometimes we get knocked down, but we can’t get knocked out. Just keep swinging and fighting your way through life. I promise, you will end up on top because you will find a solution.

By David Tepera, November 8, 2023

Is there something you always wanted to do, but thought you could never make it happen?

This could be running a marathon, losing 20 pounds, standing up for yourself, starting a business, traveling or you fill in the blank.

Look, we all try to stay within our comfort zone, but you only have a limited time on this earth, so don’t worry about others and go for it.

Years ago, I came to a point in life where I no longer cared what people thought of me. I don’t need anyone’s approval. I’m just going to be a good person and find a way to control my life.

When was the last time you did something just for you? What’s the one thing you would like to experience that you’ve never done? Why haven’t you put a plan together to have that experience?

Just know, the only thing holding you back is you. Don’t wait for your children to grow up, retirement or next year. No, do it now. Put your blinders on, step out of your comfort zone, and go for it.

When Dylan, Tina and I competed in bodybuilding contests, we had to go way out of our comfort zone. Think about it; imagine stepping on stage in front of a thousand people, posing in a speedo, flexing muscles, and hoping everyone will clap and scream for you. You talk about pressure.

But, after the first show, we were hooked. The adrenaline of competing against other athletes, plus the dedication to get our bodies in shape, was exciting and a rush that can’t be explained.

The crazy part is the experience bonded us as a family and eventually led us to open our fitness center.

The message I’m trying to relay to you is to step out and go for it. Great experiences lead to other opportunities. Really, all experiences lead to opportunity. Just keep a positive mindset and be friendly to all people.

Come on, put your foot down and start doing something for you. It’s your life and you deserve to fulfill a dream. Why not? Whatever so-called obstacle is holding you back, is just an illusion in your head. It’s only an obstacle because you let it be that. Throw it out the window and be you.

The future is in your hands, so step out of your comfort zone and go for it. I promise, you won’t regret it.

By David Tepera, November 1, 2023

Sometimes, there are certain situations in life that you might need to let go, but never give up on yourself.

This could be from bad relationships, financial losses, the death of a loved one or you fill in the blank. Now, as long as you never give up on yourself, through time, life will get better.

Besides that, how many diets have you given up? Why does each fad diet fail in the end? How come you lose plenty of weight in the beginning, but eventually, gain all the weight back, plus more?

Listen, you didn’t fail the diet, the diet failed you. Now, don’t misunderstand me. There are many diet programs that benefit people. If you are satisfied with your current diet, then stick with it. The problem is, how do you know which is best for you?

The question I always ask is, “Can you live with this diet for the rest of your life?” If the answer is no, then you are set up for another failure.

Does your program eliminate certain food groups? Just know, each food group has a dietary purpose. Complex carbs are essential for digestive reasons and energy levels, so they are necessary.

For your information, simple carbs are sugar-loaded like breads, pastries and sweets. Complex carbs are in the family of potatoes, rice, oatmeal, veggies and others.

Look, don’t give up on being a healthier person. Stay in the fight, because it’s not easy. It’s OK to have a bad day or fall off the so-called wagon. Just pick it back up the next day.

We are too hard on ourselves. Remember, as we get older, wrinkles are setting in, hair loss is real and daily aches and pains are a part of life, but so what? If you exercise and stay active, you are way above people your age. It’s not about how you look, but how you feel.

What other areas of life have become challenging? I know a lady who recently contracted a bacterial disease, and had both arms and legs amputated. She is now home and her husband is the only caretaker. Her body is not quite ready for prosthetics, so try to imagine the challenges for her and her husband.

The impressive part of their story is the will to live. Giving up is not in their vocabulary and it shouldn’t be for you either.

It’s time to get back in the game, so do what’s best for you and never give up.

By David Tepera, October 25, 2023

I guarantee, one hundred percent of successful people overcame failure and defeat more than once. If you really think about it, I’m sure you are one of them.

A huge part of life is learning how to recover from failure. It’s how we respond to it that separates us. Some people will curl up in the fetal position and feel sorry for themselves, while others will get back up off the canvas and start fighting again. That choice is totally up to you.

I’ve given up and accepted defeat throughout different situations in my life. Each one of those created depression, including a loss of confidence. The times I did fight back made me feel invincible. Failures live more in our heads than do our successes.

Listen, none of us want to fail or get punked, but if you do your best and fight back, even if you lose, you’ll gain the confidence to fight again.

Today, you’ll take up for yourself. Why aren’t you the next person up for a promotion? Let the upper management know you’re interested. Show leadership qualities and step up your game.

I know it’s difficult to accept, but what type of vibe do you project? What’s your appearance? You don’t have to be the fittest person in the room, but you do need to project confidence.

If you want to move up in life, then dress the part. What’s your first impression? Do you dress like it’s laundry day, or is your presentation one of a CEO? You can complain and have a bad attitude, or you can be the lifting spirit for all you encounter. This is leadership quality.

I’m one of the fortunate columnists who receive emails from readers about making a positive impact in people’s lives. A regular follower of mine named LoAnne sent an inspiring email, plus included a message from one of her University of Houston professors: “You have every day to live, but one life to die.” How true is that?

Don’t wait until tomorrow for what you can do today. Yes, you will encounter failure, but you will also find the determination to win. Failure is the small stuff, success is the ultimate reward.

What’s the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Are you a stronger person from that experience? Can you now tackle a situation even more challenging? Of course, you can.

It’s easy to get down on ourselves for the failures, but keep your head up and get back on the road to success because the strongest people will conquer failure.

By David Tepera, October 18, 2023

You won’t always hit a home run, but why not swing for the fences?

In my youth, I never hit the ball over the fence. I was a little fellow compared to my teammates, but I would swing the bat as hard and fast as possible. One thing I was good at was getting on base with a single over the infield. The fun part is that the coaches made me the first batter, so I became good at stealing bases.

Believe me, every time I came to bat, I would swing for the fences. I never even came close to going yard in those days. It frustrated me, but I still made an impact in the game.

As an adult, I played on a men’s softball team back in the 1980s and 90s. During that time, hitting over the fence came easy. I was still swinging for the fences, but it finally became natural for me.

Now, what message am I trying to relay to you? Most of the time in life we are going down the path of least resistance. I believe people are too afraid of failing and care too much about what others think.

Listen, when you are on top, the haters will come after you anyway. People who spread negative rumors about others are people who are insecure about themselves. Think about it. If you are totally content and happy, you wish the best for everyone else. You don’t have room in your mind to be negative. It’s such a waste of time and energy.

Come on, there is so much life to live. Don’t be satisfied with your current situation. You can have anything you want. Today, you’ve got to swing for the fences. Don’t be satisfied getting to first base because you’ll have to rely on the following batters to round home plate.

It’s you who has control of your life. You get to choose your career path. Don’t apply for the entry position, interview for management.

Don’t settle for Mr. Right Now, swing for the fences and Mr. Right will be waiting at home plate for the celebration.

Bottom line, quit settling for a mediocre life. You’re better than that, and it’s waiting for you to come and get it. Why not? I don’t care about your age, finances or excuses. You are going to change your life today.

This is it. Step into the batter’s box, swing for the fences and enjoy rounding the bases to success and happiness.

David Tepera, October 11, 2023

In most cases, when you really want something, you’ll accomplish it through the little things.

How about when you were courting your spouse? Did you open doors, hold hands and give frequent compliments, along with smiles and laughter? I’m sure you did more little things, but just remember, it was those gestures that landed her heart.

Typically, we are all trying to lose weight. What little things will make the difference? Why not drink water versus sodas, or choose grilled instead of fried? You can save money and calories by not driving through the coffee shop for one of those expensive super enriched fat upside-down latte-grandes, or whatever you call them.

In our gym, we teach all clients, including the elderly and physically challenged, the proper form for lifting weights. It’s the little things that make the difference. For example, we change hand grips and range of motion to protect the joints. Remember, it’s not how much you lift, but how you lift.

If you want to take some stress off your morning commute, then why not leave the house 15 minutes earlier? I promise you’ll be in a better mood when you get to work, and I’m sure coworkers would appreciate the attitude change.

What little things are you doing at work to get noticed? Have you ever thought of cleaning the break room? Is your desk a constant cluster, or does it reflect organization? Now, don’t get mad at me, I know some of you have an organized mess because of responsibility. You know who I’m referring to.

Tina and I own our gym, and I’m the one who cleans bathrooms, vacuums and does all other maintenance required for the weight machines. We might not have the latest and greatest equipment, but we do have one of the cleanest gyms, and we take pride in that. It’s those little things that our clients appreciate.

Now, what little things are you going to do today? How many family members will receive hugs and “I love you?”

You’re also going to show leadership at work by lifting others up and not putting them down. Be the “go-to” person and watch how much you’ll enjoy being at work. Just know, promotions and more income are on their way.

So here we go, the big things are happening from all the little things.

By David Tepera, October 4, 2023

One thing is for sure: we don’t know how many days we have on this earth, but we do have today.

Years ago, a good friend of mine told me he had been saving for a rainy day his whole adult life, and now that he reached 70 years, it’s raining and it’s time to enjoy life. That was seven years ago, and Mike and his wife Teresa haven’t looked back.

Now, what’s keeping you from enjoying each day? There’s no longer putting off tomorrow when you can make the most of today. Remember the song by Tim McGraw “Live like you were dying?”

It’s time to do things that make you feel better. Why not take a stroll outside and see the beauty that surrounds us? When’s the last time you made a stranger smile with a simple “hello?” How about eating a healthy meal to make your body feel replenished?

Come on, get off the couch, shut your laptops, stop scrolling social media to people who are not your friends and turn off smart TVs that make you dumber. This is not how you want to spend your last days.

It’s humbling observing all our older clients scheduling multiple vacations because they chose to get back their quality of life. One 73-year-old female client came back from a long trip excited that she was able to calculate more than 30,000 steps per day. Just know, she has two hip replacements.

Again, today is one day you know you have, so why not be productive? Maybe, find a way to make others’ lives better. There are too many who feed off dividing us, so you should help bring us all together.

To me, the only enemy I have is Father Time. I do my best every day to punch him in the face because I’m not giving up and neither should you.

Think of someone elderly or physically handicapped who’s out there giving this world their best. Those are role models and inspiration to all of us. Your goal should be the role model for the next person. Why not? All you need to do is get started today.

The life you’re living is no dress rehearsal, so make today something special. Just remember, you don’t know how many days are left, but you do have today.

By David Tepera, September 27, 2023

I’m sure each and every one of us can go through a long list of failures, but what’s on your list of comebacks? In every sport I competed in, there were many losses.

During my martial arts career, I got beat up a few times, but I used those experiences to become a better fighter. I know it’s a long time ago, but I was ranked No. 1 in Texas back in 1989. I continued fighting until the age of 42, then I just helped train other fighters.

If you haven’t already, we will all face losing someone we love. That’s typically the hardest defeat to ever encounter. It takes time to recover, but you must keep moving in order to come back and win.

Some of you know that I lost my oldest son after he served in Iraq. Each year, on Sept. 15, I put on his Army beret, embrace his urn, and let the emotions of a heartbroken father pour a sea of tears. But, this is the only day I allow myself to take a step back. After Dustin’s loss, I chose to come back and be the best father possible for my other children.

What’s your biggest loss? You might not realize it, but I’m sure you found a way to come back and win.

According to the American Psychological Association, 40-50 percent of marriages end in divorce. That’s a crazy statistic, but I’m not one to point fingers because that’s me too.

Just know, that the only winners in a divorce are the lawyers. If you can find a way to compromise, then you can save yourself a lot of money. Whatever happens, lick your wounds, be an involved parent and move on because the best is yet to come. I promise!

Life is about a series of failures and how you come back from them. You can never throw your hands in the air and give up. Yes, sometimes you need to walk away from a bad situation, but keep your head high and put on your game face.

This is your day to bust through obstacles. No one can keep you down because you have a strong will to win. Shake off the haters and leave them in your dust. Just stay focused on you and laugh off the small stuff.

It’s time to be the person you are meant to be. See the beauty you possess and all your hidden talents. This world needs good people like you, so get out there and prepare to win.

By David Tepera, September 20, 2023

Admit it, we are all impressed when we see someone with visible muscle. It’s the one possession you can’t really buy or fake. It must be earned.

In this world of instant gratification, a person who is fit and athletic has the traits of consistency, focus and discipline. That’s why muscle has a unique status symbol that separates it from the average population.

The chances are this is a person you would want to do business with because they understand hard work pays off.

Let’s be real for a moment and don’t get your feelings hurt. If two people are interviewed for the same job and you are the interviewer and both candidates possess the same credentials with only one difference, their appearance, would you hire the more athletic or the obese person? Be honest about that decision because whoever you choose will represent you and your company.

Now look, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying everyone needs to have this ultimate fitness appearance to them. As you all know, most of our clients are in their 60s and 70s, and those who’ve been consistent through time, are sporting muscular arms, shoulders and legs.

It’s been a humbling experience as I’m now living in the body of a 62-year-old. My ripped abs have disappeared, the muscles don’t respond to workouts as once before, plus my skin and face definitely reflect the signs of a long life.

For all of us older folks, we are never actually pain-free. We now learn to live with aches and pain, but don’t let that define you. Be the one in your family or social circle that breaks the norm.

Start your new exercise program today. Grab some canned foods and perform bicep curls, press them over your head to work shoulders, do standing pushups by leaning over the kitchen counter. Just look around your house and be creative. This is at least a start and will build confidence.

There’s no more feeling sorry for yourself. You’re better than that. Today is your opportunity to cut the strings that are tying you down. Fill your mind with positive thoughts, and start the journey of your new muscular status symbol.