By David Tepera, May 15, 2024

OK, today is a little different, so try to follow me in this article. The number “23” has a significant impact on my immediate family. I’ll explain in a minute, but as you read, there must be more of you out there who are affected by a specific number.

By David Tepera, May 8, 2024

My daughter Daylyn played volleyball all during her youth, including throughout high school. Her last season ended with double knee corrective surgery, which included more than two years of recovery and therapy.

That was almost five years ago, and Daylyn is now in her last year of college, and a volunteer volleyball coach for the area youth.

After the games on every Saturday, it gives Daylyn and I an opportunity to discuss coaching strategies for the following week.

The final game is coming this next weekend, so I asked Daylyn her thoughts about a season coaching a girls team aged 10 and under.

She responded that the win and loss column didn’t matter because every practice and every game there were many wins. Daylyn’s team won plenty of games, but she explained that the losses produced wins as well.

Daylyn’s goal was for each player to improve on all skills, especially overhead serves. Of course, there’s so much more to her story, but what about your life?

Do you feel you’ve been caught up in a string of losses? For some reason, you just can’t catch a break. So far this year, you’re having a losing season, even though you’re giving it your best.

Listen, I get ya. There has been plenty of times throughout my life that I wanted to throw in the towel. I kept thinking, “Can it get any worse than this?” But, I got up each day, said my prayers and kept fighting; and, yes, I found plenty of wins from a losing season.

What have you learned from tragedy, loss of a job, divorce, bankruptcy or any devastation? Did you find the warrior in yourself and get back out in this world to create success? Keep your head high, poke your chest out and learn how to overhead serve. It’s time to be aggressive and spike the ball any time something is thrown at you.

Every adverse condition should make you stronger and wiser. Each of these situations is preparing you for the next obstacle. This is what creates leaders and conquerors.

There is no more ducking and hiding. Nope, you don’t rely on anyone but yourself. You are now the strongest person you know, and the world better get ready because it’s time to bump-set-spike and turn this into a win.

By David Tepera, May 1, 2024

As we all can reflect on our lives, there were many instances when life changed course because of a particular moment. This could be from a positive or a challenging circumstance.

Personally, my positive course changes were from the birth of my children, graduating college in my 30s, opening a business and marrying my amazing wife, Tina. Of course, there are many others, but I’m just trying to get you to think about your positive life changes.

It’s not fun, but reflecting over harsh situations in life that forced a change in direction can be difficult. Actually, I have more life-changing events than I’d like to admit, but it made me the humble man I’ve become.

One of my biggest course changes was walking through the Boston airport after speaking to a major medical company. My phone rang and the officer on the line had the difficult task to tell a father that his son passed away that morning. I hit my knees as my body went limp. The uncontrollable wailing gathered the attention of other passersby. Some came to my aid, but it took every ounce of energy to gather my composure to get on the plane.

Think about that flight. It was a day trip as I looked out the window looking for my son sitting on the clouds to let me know it’s going to be alright.

When you’ve experienced multiple tragedies, believe me, you can let go all of the small stuff. I just shake my head at all the people hating on social media and in print, and they don’t even know each other. Remember, the only thing you can control is you, so hit the delete button and enjoy the people you love.

Now, what life changes are you working on? Are you going to school, working overtime to buy the house, dating your future spouse or you fill in the blank? Come on, we all have dreams, so don’t give up on them. As long as you’re giving this world your best, life-changing course moments are on their way.

Remember, being happy is simply being thankful for what you have. Too many people think happiness is what others have. Look around, I guarantee you have a lot to smile about.

I would like you to think how important you are in this world. Just think, you are one small gesture from changing someone else’s course. Take at least one day to be as courteous as possible to all strangers, coworkers, family and friends. You never know, but at that moment in time, they needed you.

By David Tepera, May 1, 2024

As we all can reflect on our lives, there were many instances when life changed course because of a particular moment. This could be from a positive or a challenging circumstance.

Personally, my positive course changes were from the birth of my children, graduating college in my 30s, opening a business and marrying my amazing wife, Tina. Of course, there are many others, but I’m just trying to get you to think about your positive life changes.

It’s not fun, but reflecting over harsh situations in life that forced a change in direction can be difficult. Actually, I have more life-changing events than I’d like to admit, but it made me the humble man I’ve become.

One of my biggest course changes was walking through the Boston airport after speaking to a major medical company. My phone rang and the officer on the line had the difficult task to tell a father that his son passed away that morning. I hit my knees as my body went limp. The uncontrollable wailing gathered the attention of other passersby. Some came to my aid, but it took every ounce of energy to gather my composure to get on the plane.

Think about that flight. It was a day trip as I looked out the window looking for my son sitting on the clouds to let me know it’s going to be alright.

When you’ve experienced multiple tragedies, believe me, you can let go all of the small stuff. I just shake my head at all the people hating on social media and in print, and they don’t even know each other. Remember, the only thing you can control is you, so hit the delete button and enjoy the people you love.

Now, what life changes are you working on? Are you going to school, working overtime to buy the house, dating your future spouse or you fill in the blank? Come on, we all have dreams, so don’t give up on them. As long as you’re giving this world your best, life-changing course moments are on their way.

Remember, being happy is simply being thankful for what you have. Too many people think happiness is what others have. Look around, I guarantee you have a lot to smile about.

I would like you to think how important you are in this world. Just think, you are one small gesture from changing someone else’s course. Take at least one day to be as courteous as possible to all strangers, coworkers, family and friends. You never know, but at that moment in time, they needed you.

By David Tepera, April 24, 2024

As most of you know, we own a business that starts at 2:30 a.m. Even though the hours are tough for us, we love knowing we change lives.

For real, when we wake up so early, we are struggling to get motivated for a long 12-hour shift. But, at the end of the day, Tina, Dylan and I high-fived each other because we made a difference in this world. That’s a big win for everyone.

Back in the day, when we were competing, every day was about us winning in the weight room, along with a clean diet. It’s a very selfish life because you don’t have time for family and friends. Each day must be another step towards winning.

Now, what about you? At the end of the day, what’s a win for you? Did you have a productive day at work? Did you make the time to exercise and eat healthier? In some kind of way, did you make a difference in other’s lives? Come on, what will it take to win at the end of the day?

For some, winning is a personal goal. For others, winning is helping others. Either way, it’s still about winning.

We have people reach out to us each week looking for guidance with diet, exercise or just motivation.

Even though we are motivators, each day we try to find a way to pick each other up. Hopefully, each of you has a support system, too. If not, motivate yourself and separate from all the average people.

One thing we can all do is quit. That’s the easy way out. It’s people who’ve had enough, and have nothing more to lose, that decide to go for it.

Listen, I’ve quit in certain situations before. Even though this was decades ago, it still haunts me today. I’m still upset with myself for being a quitter. I was afraid of losing, being rejected and failure.

Once I didn’t care about others’ opinion of me, I was living a much happier life and started winning.

This is your day to start winning. You’ll get up earlier, have a healthy breakfast, be at work on time and be the most positive person towards others.

I promise, at the end of the day, you’ll reflect back and know what winning is.

I do want to give a shout-out to all those who volunteer their time. This is the most selfless act of any person. You know what winning is.

By David Tepera, April 17, 2024

You ever watch someone perform a certain skill and impressed how they make it look so smooth and easy? I always enjoy watching the gymnastics balance beam of how these ladies can perform numerous acrobatics and land on a 4-inch-wide beam. To me, there’s a level of danger, but they have such precision, grace and beauty.  

These days, I couldn’t walk a straight line sober, much less trying to stand on a balance beam. So you know, the Olympic balance beam is also 16.5 feet long and 4 feet off the ground.

My point is, you can only imagine how many times these ladies slipped, fell, crashed with bruises, cuts and broken bones. The one thing they all have in common is the will and pride to get back up until it’s performed with perfection. Not only the physical challenge, but imagine the mental toughness it takes to try again after getting hurt or injured.

Pick your favorite sport and I’m sure those players are in the same category as gymnastics. My oldest son Dustin was a competitive skate boarder in his teens. He made me a nervous wreck with his dangerous high-flying tricks. We spent plenty of trips to urgent care and the dentist. I sure miss my soldier.

Now, there’s not one of us who hasn’t delt with defeat. I don’t have a problem with losing as long as I was giving my best effort. It’s when we don’t put up a fight in the situation that eats on us. Think about it. You’re only upset with yourself in a loss because you could had worked or practiced harder.

And, that’s where we are today. It’s time to let go of the safety net and start challenging yourself. What and who’s holding you back? This is your life, so get out of your comfort zone and step your game up.

Every other Sunday, my daughter Daylyn and I go to the local Waffle House to have breakfast. It’s our daddy daughter time to discuss life. Daylyn is in her last year of college, and preparing to make this world a better place.

I told her to go out there and fail. If you’re not failing, then you’re not trying hard enough. It’s failure that teaches us valuable lessons. When you accept failure, it will lead into the direction of success. The wealthiest and most successful people failed more than they ever won.

Now, get up, cut the safety net and challenge yourself to be the person you were meant to be.  

By David Tepera, April 10, 2024

Recently, I was having a conversation with a small group of senior citizens. The topic was circled around when life ends and preparing for death.

Of course, it’s important to have your affairs in order when that day comes to not burden your family. But, my message was that life only ends when you give up, not death. This is why we opened Ageless Muscle.

Listen, you’re reading this article, so shut your laptops, get out of the recliner and start making the days count. There’s so much life to live for. Yes, as we get older, we will never be pain-free, but so what?

I’m in my 60s and know there are certain activities that are off my list. No more snow skiing, long-distant jogging on hard pavement, or riding bulls and other extreme activities. OK, the bulls was only a joke, but you get my drift.

Being a little broken is your wake-up call to start exercising and lifting weights. I don’t know how to express enough the importance of a weight resistance program. This is your game-changer. We see it every day in our gym.

Eighty-year-old Terry owns 12 acres and personally trimmed all 22 trees. Seventy-year-old Kim paddles a kayak, along with freshwater fishing several times a week. The list goes on to the elderly enjoying retirement because they regained their strength. We hear the stories of returning to golf, gardening, hiking and traveling. Bottom line, quit counting the days, and make the days count. Life is right out that door you stare at, so get moving.

What activities do you miss the most? Why have you given up? What will it take to enjoy that part of life again? Did you and your spouse enjoy walks around the neighborhood? When was the last time you went dancing? Why not have a date night and act like youngins again?

One day last week, the weather was beautiful, so I told Tina to drop all the stress of work and let’s head to Kemah Boardwalk for lunch. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been on a rollercoaster, but we road the Bullet and had a blast.

Sometimes, you have to step away from the boredom and find the child in you. Quit the stinking thinking of counting the days, and start making the days count.

By David Tepera, April 3, 2024

Of course, there are countless studies to support the importance of exercise to fight off diseases. If you’re not battling one now, eventually, it’s coming.

Now, diseases come in all types of categories. At Ageless Muscle, we weight train people battling prostate, breast, bone, melanoma or other forms of cancer, as well as depression, epilepsy and cardiac conditions. Their medical specialist expressed the importance of winning the fight by getting themselves in better shape. Your body needs to be as healthy as possible to battle the issues.

Think about it, if you give in and lay around, then you will wither away and lose the fight. I’m not referring to exercise as the cure for all diseases, but it will give you a fighting chance, or at least, a better quality of life.

For all of us, there is a beginning and an end because life is a journey. We all know our birthdate, but we have no idea of the end date. And, you better never live thinking the end is tomorrow. You’ll miss out on all the love and beauty that surrounds you.

Listen, there are situations in life that we can’t control, but we can control how we respond.

What are you battling today? If your situation is health-related, then what’s your plan? We all have a fighter within us that was passed down from ancestors. The weak were eliminated, so if you’re reading this, your ancestors fought for you. Now, it’s your turn to continue the fight. You must go down swinging because your life and character depend on it.

Alright, here we go. Today is the next chapter of our lives. We will start walking, lifting weights, join a local gym, read positive books, or just find a way to get your body moving and stimulated.

Don’t forget to reach for healthier foods. Your body repairs itself from the intake of proper nutrition. Late night snacking is usually the biggest reason for obesity. All that food is stored as fat because it’s not being utilized for energy. It’s time to start cooking instead of driving through the grease pit. Prepare healthy foods, so when you open the fridge, they’re there and ready to eat.

Look, we all know our downfalls when it comes to exercise and diet, so if you want to win the battle, then get up and put up a fight — NOW!

By David Tepera, March 27, 2024

If you recognize that you are someone special or not, just know, yes you are. For those with confidence out in this world kicking butt, make sure to thank all those who helped reach that status.

Also, those of you who think less of yourself, remember, you are somebody because of somebody. Let me explain.

Whatever position you have currently established, there is a history of family, parents, siblings, children, and spouse that helped to get you there.

 To me, I am somebody because my parents instilled morals, values and respect. These character traits allowed me to be a positive influence in society.

My adult children made me somebody because even though they are in their early and mid-twenties, they’ve impacted countless lives through many resources, and I’m proud to be their daddy.

Without getting too mushy, the support and love from my wife has helped push me to become somebody more than I thought imaginable.

Lastly, I need to give The Daily News and Sports Editor James LaCombe a huge shoutout for allowing me to come into thousands of lives each week. The emails I receive are more than humbling.

Now, don’t think I’m just being corny. My hopes with sharing my experience, is that you recognize you’re somebody more than me.

Being somebody doesn’t mean being a socialite or someone famous. No, being somebody is making a difference to all those around you. It’s being a role model and leader for others.

Listen, don’t think anything less of yourself. We are all our worst critic. Quit beating yourself up over the little stuff. We all have challenges, so just make the most of yours.

I promise, you’re not just somebody, you are more special than you could imagine. Keep your head up, never quit, and embrace your qualities. Wake up each day and take on the world because you are somebody’s somebody.

Now it’s your turn to be somebody’s somebody. How will you treat others today? It’s time to start lifting people up and not putting them down.

The truest way to judge people is by their character. I learned long ago that we all have a different set of backgrounds and upbringing, but one thing we do have in common is the opportunity to respect others. The CEO and janitor deserve the same respect because they are somebody.

Just remember, you’re somebody because of somebody.

By David Tepera, March 23, 2024

There’s no secret, we’ve all wished for some kind of miracle that would change our lives. That’s why the lottery is so popular, especially when the payout gets humongous. I admit, when the numbers are big, I’ll invest $2 for a miracle. So far, it hasn’t paid off, but it was fun to be in dream world.

Now, what I’d like you to realize is that a miracle has already happened the day you were born. This might be difficult for some to understand, but think about all that took place in order for you to be in this world.

Every ancestor in your life had to reproduce with someone at the right moment to create your next relative. Then, they had to reproduce with another at the exact moment to create the following relative that would eventually lead to you being created at a precise moment in time. There’s nothing more miraculous than the fact you were born into this world.

I hope you understand because trying to keep it PG was a difficult task, if you know what I mean.

Sometimes, we get caught up feeling sorry for ourselves because we think someone has it better than us. Just know, no they don’t. It’s time to realize that money isn’t the answer to happiness. I promise, I know plenty of wealthy people who are miserable. Their family takes advantage and their health is extremely poor.

Take a moment and realize the miracle that you are. It’s your choice of what you decide to do with your life. Yes, sometimes it takes sacrifice, dedication and determination to achieve your goals. You’re the miracle on this earth that has control of your destination.

I’m embarrassed for some of the stupid mistakes I’ve made, but my wife Tina and I realize that every bad and good decision led us to each other. So, it’s impossible to have regrets.

Don’t beat yourself up for the dumb decisions. Those are only lessons to help us get back up and keep fighting.

Now, what are you going to do with your miracle today? You have the choice of making those around you happy. It’s as easy as a big smile, along with a compliment.

What I’m trying to make you understand is that you are more perfect than you can imagine. Let it sink in that the miracle has already happened, so make this an amazing day.