Tag Archives: motivation

Inspiration

Climb your own mountain to reach victory

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2016

We are all placed on this earth with a destiny completely in our own hands.

It doesn’t matter what type of financial environment or neighborhood you grew up in. Your adult status quo is from personal choices, which includes health, employment and relationships.

I’ve had many conversations with people encouraging them to climb their own mountains. You must create the drive and desire to better your life through hard work and determination. Keeping this consistency will build a strong foundation as you climb the mountain of life.

We all know lazy people who make excuses of why they’re out of shape or unemployed. These people would rather hang out at the bottom of other people’s mountains hoping a pebble or boulder of opportunity will fall in their lap.

Climbing your own mountain builds confidence and is most rewarding because of the sweat, tears and hours of hard work. The ultimate triumph is all yours.

Typically, we’re all great at starting a better diet, exercise program, job search or personal goals. But, staying with it is the most difficult.

Inevitably, you’ll encounter a roadblock, get knocked down or tumble backward.

You’ll have to make a decision to either take another path or pad-up, put your helmet on and bust through head first.

Look, we’ve all made bad decisions in life and probably more to follow. I’m not one to cast stones because my mountain has had some mudslides. I’ve learned to use mistakes as part of the learning process and keep pressing forward.

Sometimes other people want to trip you up because your success trumps their excuses. Kick them off your mountain and keep climbing. Each step will bring more successful and wiser people in your life.

As of today, it doesn’t matter your age or current status. It’s time to throw away excuses, make a commitment to yourself, start climbing your own mountain and have a fulfilling, incredible life.

Inspiration

Don’t look defeated, show determination

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Recently I attended my daughter’s volleyball tournament, and a few of the teams were more highly skilled than others.

During the tournament, Daylyn’s team played one of the higher-skilled teams. And quickly, the other team was dominating on the scoreboard.

Most of the girls, including Daylyn, were hanging their heads and had the look of defeat even though the game was only half way over. And yes, of course, they got slaughtered.

After the game, Daylyn told me she was embarrassed and disappointed with her and the team’s performance.

I told her, you will always face stronger opponents in everything you compete in, but don’t let them see you’re mentally defeated. Instead, show your opponents and teammates the look of determination.

Show everyone that you might be getting beat on the scoreboard, but you’re still going to out-hustle everyone on the court and give your very best.

Now, think about it. We all face challenging situations in our everyday lives. Sometimes, we feel like we’re getting beat up and want to drop our heads and give up. This will only make us feel more disappointed in ourselves.

Don’t let your opponents or situations know they are defeating you. Learn to create a game face with grit, determination and fight your way back into the game of life.

Just know, Daylyn was in that game situation again, but she had the look of a warrior and battled to the end.

If a 15-year-old athlete can learn life lessons, so can you.

Now, go look in the mirror, make the scariest game face imaginable, and tell yourself that no one will defeat you again. Take a mental picture and next time you’re feeling defeated, pull out that game face and win the day.

From this day forward, defeated is no longer a part of me. This world will only see determination.

Inspiration

A New Year’s resolution we can all share

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2015

I’m sure almost everyone has their list for 2016 resolutions. Most of us share the same typical resolutions of better diets, increasing exercise frequency, improving income, and the most popular: quitting bad habits.

Of course, all of these resolutions are important for a better quality and possibly longevity of life. But, I want us all to share a simple and easy New Year’s resolution with the most amazing results.

It literally doesn’t take any extra effort, sweat or cost money, and people will love and enjoy your presence. My proposal to all of you for this year’s resolution is to show more kindness and compassion for all people.

Now don’t stop reading and think this is another same old “be a kinder person” message. I want you to really think about this and embrace it.

Look, I don’t know about you, but this has been a very challenging year of people in this world showing and indulging in too much hatred. There’s no need for me to go into the specifics, but I choose to not be one of the negative statistics, and neither should you.

Let’s come together and be as one. Don’t be a person who sits, observes and only gives opinions.

You will be astonished on how your positive actions, acts of kindness and beauty can change others’ lives and attitudes. Let you be the difference maker by being the pebble thrown in a pond with ripples spreading goodness along with an infectious, positive personality.

Sometimes when the kids and I are sitting around the dinner table, I ask them to share a story of an act of kindness they did at school. Once they become aware of their importance, then it becomes a daily routine.

We can all do this, and it starts today with each of us changing our own lives to better others.

I’m known to greet people with warm handshakes and sincere hugs. Join me, my friends, and let’s be the catalyst for making 2016 the best year ever.

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Use Christmas gifts for fitness motivation

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 

Oh yes, it’s Christmas holiday time and Santa’s bringing gifts with cheer.

There are many of you who will be receiving something in the arena of fitness. This could be anything from athletic clothes to exercise equipment.

My advice is to take whatever the gift may be and use it for motivation.

I often hear from people explaining how some new exercise gadget is really working, plus it’s made their muscles sore and helped lose weight.

I always ask “were you doing any type of exercise before you bought the gadget?” The typical answer is “no.” So, this means it became your motivation.

For example, there’s an abundance of abdominal equipment that claim to give tighter abs and lose weight. And, when people do try them, they feel soreness and some benefit for the very first time.

Yes, this is exciting and great news that it’s working. But, again, my question is “when’s the last time you performed a situp?” It’s probably been years.

Did you know that if you would just lie down, put your feet under the couch and start doing situps that you might feel the same soreness? Plus, it wouldn’t cost any money.

My message is not to discourage or make you feel ignorant for spending money on possibly unnecessary exercise equipment, but really, just the opposite.

I want you to embrace whatever gift received or personally bought and use it as motivation.

I don’t care how odd the gadget may seem. Just get on it, put it on and use it to get your body in motion. Use it every day and make it a part of your daily routine.

What will follow is the habit of exercising. Then you’ll build confidence and start exploring other areas of fitness. Fitness, diet and exercising will become a way of life and the world will open new doors.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, now get excited for the new exercise toys and start changing your life.

Diets, Fitness, Inspiration

Just like in football, there’s a 2-minute warning in life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2015

We are all familiar with the 2-minute warning in the game of football. It’s when there’s only 2 minutes left on the game clock in the second and fourth quarter.

This time period is critical because teams must strategize according to the score, especially the fourth quarter since it will determine a win or loss.

To me, we all receive a 2-minute warning in the game of life. How many of you have serious health issues, and your doctor has told you to change your lifestyle or a major surgery or even death will follow?

How about an abusive relationship in which the last episode was one too many?

Maybe your employer is not recognizing your qualifications and experience and keeps passing you on promotions and pay raises?

It’s possible, that under certain circumstances, it’s not wise to make a haste decision by quitting or walking away too soon. The quick results could be devastating.

Now it’s time to keep a cool head, a wise mind and put a winning strategy in place.

If it’s pertaining to your health, seek out professional help to not only change your diet and exercise regime, but for mental support as well.

If its relationship issues, then reach out to family and certain friends and put a plan in place to remove yourself. Some or most of the time children are involved and your decisions affects their well-being.

Of course, it’s possible higher authoritative help is needed. Just depends on individual circumstances.

When it comes to occupational changes, it might be time to update a resume, join LinkedIn and start networking with people in your field of choice.

Now, this is your 2-minute warning. Start strategizing, work on your plan and win this awesome but challenging game of life.

Life is too precious, and we all deserve the best life possible.

Inspiration

Success comes with a short memory

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Saturday, December 5, 2015

One of the characteristics needed to be successful is having a short memory.

If you’ve watched enough football games, you would have heard this term many times about great quarterbacks.

All quarterbacks will make mistakes, creating interceptions, sacks and fumbles. But, the very next play could be a game winning touchdown throw.

The commentators will label these quarterbacks with short memories because they don’t dwell on the last play’s mishaps. Instead, they have enough confidence in themselves to pull out the winning play.

We all make mistakes on a daily basis with some more severe than others. It’s part of our maturity and life experiences. Sometimes, you have to shake off the dust and get back in the game of life.

I’m sure there are plenty of you still struggling to get your diet back in check from Thanksgiving holidays. Maybe you’re dealing with personal issues and you keep beating yourself up for not having control.

How about those of you who feel you’re giving this world everything you’ve got, but it seems to keep crashing down. It could be a job loss, bad relationships or any tragedy thinkable.

The good news is we are all born with the capability to conquer. It’s programmed into our DNA. You wouldn’t be alive today if someone in your ancestry didn’t dig deep to survive, and now, it’s your turn.

Take life’s challenges head on and forget yesterday’s defeats. Learn to turn defeats into opportunities, and let the experiences help you grow stronger.

When people try to take you down, laugh it off and keep your head high. Remember, you’re the best person you know.

Now, go score a touchdown and keep winning the day.

Diets, Inspiration

Reward yourself this Thanksgiving

By David Tepera – Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2015

By now, you’re aware that if you’ve been dieting for a period of time, that I recommend to reward yourself with foods desired.

Well my friends, it’s Thanksgiving holidays and it’s reward time. I always indulge myself on vacation and Thanksgiving holiday.

Hopefully, you’ve been a good girl and boy and have been training consistently and frequently. This is the one time of year I’m going to tell you to throw the diet out the window. Enjoy every moment with family and friends and all the wonderful tasty foods.

I truly hope everyone is as fortunate as I with the blessing of an enormous holiday feast. It’s the biggest event of the year for my family, and we are going to nanna’s house for a major grub fest.

I will be pouring extra gravy on the turkey and dressing along with all the fixings, extra butter on steamy bread rolls, two scoops of vanilla ice cream on hot apple pie and pumpkin pie engulfed with whipped cream.

Later on in the day, after watching and sleeping through football games, I’ll take a little walk through the neighborhood to help digest my overstuffed belly. It helps create more room to shovel down more helpings of delicious homemade foods.

You and I should not feel any guilt for all the extra calories and the few pounds gathered.

To truly enjoy and embellish the rewards, you know that within two days, it’s back to a healthy diet and fitness training. It usually takes me about five to six days to lose the extra pounds.

Now that I’ve rang Pavlov’s bell and you’re salivating all over this paper, get ready to make an eating fool of yourself.

Most importantly, take the time to sincerely thank everyone who helped participate in the feast and express love for all.

As I’m getting older, my heart has grown softer and I emotionally love all the wonderful people around me.

Life is getting shorter my friends, so don’t waste time on unnecessary hate. There are others who love you, just show them love back. It’s a life changer.

Inspiration

Tap into your inner strength, overcome life’s challenges

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Recently, I visited my daughter at school.

As we were enjoying our lunch, I noticed a student with a long cane strolling along the walls feeling his way through the cafeteria. Daylyn told me he was deaf and blind, and this is how he maneuvers through school.

What was impressive to me, even though there was an adult supervisor, how he was still able to independently get his own food tray.

I told Daylyn to think about his daily routine. All the medial tasks we take for granted are his challenges, but it seems he has overcome them.

We can find unlimited stories and videos on YouTube with people who overcome their challenges to accomplish amazing feats of courage.

So this made me wonder, the only handicaps are the ones we accept of ourselves.

People we perceive as handicapped have learned how to tap into their inner strength and overcome life’s challenges.

We all have that same inner strength but chose to be complacent and lazy to glide through a boring and unhealthy life without any purpose.

I asked Daylyn, “why don’t we all attack the world with that type of determination and better our lives and those around us?”

According to Webster, the definition of handicap is “a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult.”

So, what about you? What’s your excuse? The only thing keeping you from progress and success is you. Accept it, embrace it, and do something about it.

Get off the couch and make a promise to yourself that now is the time. Take control of your life and be the person you daydream about.

Take that inner strength, bust through all barriers and make our world a better place because you’re in it. We need you.

Inspiration

What’s your motivation?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, November 3, 2015

We all get up every morning to start our regular routine with hopes of accomplishing something by end of day. Those accomplishments should be specific according to your position in life.

But my question is: what’s your motivation? When you get out of bed and your feet hit the ground, what excites you about the day?

Are you ready to get to work, show leadership qualities and prove to your company that they made a wise decision in hiring you? You should be excited because this promotes job security and will eventually, if not already, produce more income.

Maybe this is the day you’ve committed to start a healthier lifestyle. You’re heading to the grocery store to purchase produce, fruits, low-fat meats and unprocessed foods.

Also today, you’re starting a new exercise program in which you’ve bought new running shoes and workout apparel. I love wearing new clothes because if you look good, you feel good.

For me, my greatest motivation in life is my children. I bounce out of bed ready to treasure all the new memories I’ll experience today. I get to watch them play sports, help with homework, make dinner and interact about all the events from the day.

It’s so important to be involved in every aspect of our children’s lives. Before Dylan started driving, I would drop him off early in the mornings at school for basketball practice.

I would watch his tall lanky body stroll up to the school, then as I pulled away, tears would flow down my face knowing he is experiencing memories to last a lifetime.

I know I’m a big softy when it comes to my kids, but they are my motivation and purpose in life.

So, what’s your motivation? Start making a plan today and wake up tomorrow ready to accomplish those goals and have the life you deserve.

Diets, Fitness

Reprogram your brain to change your life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Since birth, your brain is programmed and develops thinking through life experiences.

Your current status is from all decisions you’ve made to date. This includes your health, income and living conditions.

Now you’re an adult and can choose experiences to reprogram your brain. According to many studies, it takes a minimum of 21 days to develop good habits. This means 21 days consecutively, not every other day or some days.

We have all experienced failure with diets and exercise. I know people who eat a clean diet one day, then reward themselves with greasy or sugar foods the next day.

Eighty to 90 percent of people quit an exercise program or stop going to the gym within a month or two.

I always crack a smile at the beginning of each year when New Year’s resolution people come back to the gym. I typically see the same faces each year for a month then they disappear.

I’m sure they are paying for that membership all year with intentions to go each week, but it never happens.

It’s normal to get disgusted with ourselves for a lack of discipline. We know our own bad diet and fitness habits.

Some of you are looking forward to cold weather so you can hide underneath all the clothes. I’m sorry, but you’re not hiding anything.

It’s time to reprogram that lazy complacent brain of yours. Start off with at least one healthy meal a day and a brisk walk in the evening.

Then, continue developing better habits by choosing more healthy meals and increasing workout intensity.

My best advice is to choose breakfast as your first healthy meal. Now you’ve already accomplished your goal for the day and will feel good about yourself.

There are many choices. Try a cup of oatmeal with fruit or egg whites and one slice of wheat toast.

Start drinking a glass of water before each meal to give a more full stomach feeling. Plus we typically don’t drink enough water anyways.

Look, we are all beautiful people and others love us just the way we are. I just want you to develop more energy, have a better quality of life and to live much longer.