Tag Archives: martial arts

Inspiration

8 seconds can change your life

By DAVID TEPERA, March 29, 2017

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Houston Rodeo is the largest rodeo event in the nation. Being a monthlong event, with some of the biggest payouts, it brings in the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world.

A good friend of mine, who has been an athletic trainer for multiple sports and the rodeo for more than 20 years, told me that the bull riders were some of the toughest athletes he’s ever known.

These cowboys train like most professional athletes to be in top condition for an 8-second ride. The only difference is most bull riders don’t lift heavy weights because the extra weight and bulkiness reduces flexibility while being whipped around by a raging bull.

Most of their training encompasses pilates, yoga, crossfit, and mixed martial arts.

Have you ever wondered why the ultimate goal for these bull riders to hang on to a crazy bull is for 8 seconds?

According to my research, back in the day when cowboys were breaking in wild horses, they realized an animal’s adrenaline to fight would last a mere 8 seconds and then proceed into a gallop, giving in to the rider.

Now this 8-second adrenaline is in all of us. Remember, we are part of the animal kingdom, too. We are all born with a “fight or flight” adrenaline secretion. It’s how our prehistoric ancestors survived.

I’m sure most of us have been bullied, attacked or in critical life situations. We’ve all heard stories of a single person lifting a car or heavy object in order to save someone. It’s that 8-second adrenaline surging through our bodies that will determine the outcome.

If you’re someone who has been beaten down mentally and has trouble defending yourself, then I highly recommend finding a local martial arts studio to help build your confidence.

I was involved in martial arts under Al Garza’s Premier Martial Arts for more than 20 years. My children were part of the after-school program all through elementary school.

For us, it truly changed our lives in so many ways, which includes physical and mental toughness.

We might not ever be bull riders, but learning to tap into your 8 seconds will change your life.

Inspiration

Get off the sidelines

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 

In my youth, I played football for many years, but in ninth grade, I found myself standing most of the time on the sideline. I wasn’t the only kid, but I wasn’t happy about it and became discouraged.

Now, I didn’t fault my coach too much because, at that time, I was definitely not one of the bigger skilled players.

Right then I recognized, when it comes to team sports, coaches make every decision of players, plays and strategies. It’s a game of chess hoping to outsmart the opponent’s coach.

The most frustrating part of hardly ever playing was realizing that I had no control of it. As a player, you can only hope that all your efforts in practice would give you an opportunity.

Whenever our team would win, everyone was celebrating and cheering. Not me. I was embarrassed and ashamed, as I stood there in my clean uniform.

The lesson learned was that if I wanted to play the whole game and dictate the outcome, then I needed to pursue individual sports.

Once I was out of high school, I taught myself to surf, ran a marathon, became a triathlete and competed in martial arts.

Not only in sports, if I wanted to dictate my life, then I needed to pursue happiness and success to live the life I wanted.

Yes, I got knocked down, had stitches, broken bones and multiple surgeries to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. But, that only excited me because I knew I was giving my all, and the lessons of failure are only part of the process.

So, what about you? Are you standing on the sidelines of life? Are you just flying under the radar hoping to one day retire? Why have you given up?

As adults, you shouldn’t be happy with a participation trophy.

That lesson in ninth grade was a defining moment and taught me to never want to be on the sidelines again.

Now get up and recognize there’s a lot of life to live. We are fortunate to live in a country where it is possible to not only chase dreams, but to accomplish them.

One day we will all cross the pearly gates of heaven. If you walk in unscathed without scars, then you didn’t give life your best.

I plan on tumbling and sliding into heaven head first like Pete Rose. I’ll jump up and yell, “Wow, that was a crazy ride!”

Inspiration

Great things can happen by adding politeness

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2015

I want to share a story that happened years ago. While attending college, I was a martial arts competitor and worked at Grand Master Al Garza’s Karate School. When teaching classes, I constantly reminded students to address me with “yes sir” and no sir.”

On one particular day, I was walking through Baybrook Mall and a young lady stopped me to sell some men’s cologne. During our conversation, and out of habit, I reminded her to say “yes sir.” I immediately apologized and explained my reason for correcting people. I bought the cologne and went on about my way.

About four months later, I was walking through the mall again, and this same lady ran up and stopped me. She told me that she thought real hard about our conversation and chose to start responding to everyone with “yes sir” and “yes ma’am”.

To her surprise, she started selling more products and doubled her commissions. Her supervisors took notice and gave her a leadership role in that department.

Now, she was taking night classes in marketing and business with plans to open her own store one day.

Just think about yourself. How do you treat people? What are your habits of politeness? Do you treat people as you wish to be treated?

Don’t get frustrated if you open the door for others and they don’t say “thank you.” That’s their problem. Walk away and continue your awesome day.

My kids have been opening doors for people since they were very young. They love greeting people and watching adults smile at them for their act of kindness.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Try adding “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” to your vocabulary and watch the effects it will have in your life.

And, if you start making more money, cut me off 10 percent.