I'm Selling Toilets Door to Door

In life, have you ever felt like you're selling toilets door to door?  The feeling that no matter how hard or diligently you work, the odds are already stacked against you even before you knock on the door?

How would you even sell toilets door to door anyways?  "You never know what to expect from our competitors' toilet.  Let's face it, it's a crap shoot if you go with them." (Several puns, all of which were intended)

"The battle of the toilet seat between you and the Mrs. is over when you install the UrinalMaster 3000 in your home"

This is the feeling I get every time I call a school district along my tour route to propose a partnership to inspire their students.  The hassle, rejection and run-around I get from the majority of the people within our educational system is absurd.  I might as well be selling toilets to them.  Now in no way am I suggesting that selling toilets is dishonest or illegitimate work in anyway.  But the more I think about where our educational system is going, I couldn't think of anything more fitting.

"My name is Teddy Herrera and I am cycling 22,000-mil..."

"We're not interested."

"What are you not interested in?"

"Whatever you're selling."

"Give me 5 minutes to share my story with you.  Through my struggle and sacrifice, you will realize that I am not selling, but giving; giving your students the opportunity and encouragement to succeed against all odds, realize their full potential, and actively pursue their dreams while leading a healthy and active lifestyle." (It doesn't sound as cheesy in real life)

(Click.. dial tone)

This was a real conversation.  I'm certain that I was talking to myself after I asked for 5 minutes of her time.  After I sent an email apologizing about my poor cell phone service (HA!) while cycling around the Nation, she told me there is not a budget for our assembly program to fight childhood obesity.  I responded that I would not let that prevent me from reaching her students with my powerful message, and donate my services to her free of charge.  I didn't receive a response from her.  A few days later I sent a follow-up email that was immediately returned to me as undeliverable.  Apparently, I had been blacklisted from sending emails to anyone within the district.  She was the Director of Student Health and Wellness.  I wasn't given the time of day, as if I was knocking on her front door at 6pm, cheesy smile and toilet in hand.

Give people a chance to tell their story.  How many people do you brush aside throughout your everyday life?  I have been drowning in the bureaucracy of our educational system, swirling around the bowl for the past two years.  Looking back on my efforts, it scares me to think about all of the students who didn't have the opportunity to hear my story, because an educational bureaucrat did not take 5 minutes out of her day to listen.

Imagine all of the amazing stories that you didn't have the opportunity to hear because you were too busy to stop and listen.  Everyone deserves a chance.  And the next time someone knocks on your door with there arm wrapped around a toilet, don't give them any crap.

I Need Help!!

On my bike- tent, sleeping bag and a tool box

"I need help"- The three most powerful words we never use.  Call it pride, humility or whatever you want to call it.  I call it stupidity.  And it took me a very long time to get over my pride to realize this.  If you are in need of something, ASK!

I started my first tour with $36, a tent and a sleeping bag.  How did I make it?  I asked for help.  I would take a tupperware into restaurants and ask them if they could give me leftover food at the end of the night.  Everyday, if I asked 10 restaurants, one always said yes.  On the days I badly needed a shower and a warm bed, I would ask 10 hotels for a sponsored night's stay.  After asking 10 hotels, I would always find one that was willing to help me out.

When you initially read the title of this blog, what emotions did you feel?  Did you jump back in disgust because I apparently needed help?  Or did you feel compelled to read further to determine whether you could assist me in any way?

One of the Tupperware containers I used to pack leftover food

People want to help YOU, too!  Whenever you're struggling throughout your day today, ask for help.  If you have a goal you want to achieve, no matter how small or big, ask people to help you accomplish it.  After asking 10 people for help, you will find one person that is willing and able to assist you succeed.

I really do need your help!  I need you to forward this blog to all of your family and friends to help spread my message to future communities.  I am currently in Savannah, GA and will be riding up the east coast to Boston, then back across the northern states to Seattle.  If you know any teachers, principals, superintendents or a friend who has a kid attending a local school at any of the cities on my nationwide route, I want to inspire their youth to lead active and healthy lifestyles!  Send me an email at teddy@aa4co.com and I will email you an informative, easy to forward, eFlyer thats grants insight into the motivation we bring to each school we visit.  If you forward it to 10 friends and family members, you will help me secure one school to speak at.

Inspiring children to get up, get out and actively chase their dreams!

I truly appreciate your continual support!  And if you ever need anything from me, please ask!  Follow my 22,000-mile bicycle tour to fight childhood obesity on Facebook and Twitter!  For more information about our K-12 assembly program, please visit our website here.  Much love and respect... and don't forget to encourage one another!


~Mr. Teddy

Why I'm quitting Facebook

Aren't you tired of the time that is consumed on Facebook? I am.  Facebook was the only way I was able to get the word out about my cause at first.  I departed June 5, 2010 on my first tour with $36 and 168 some odd Facebook friends.  I did not have a website and was not media savvy.  I relied on finding like-minded individuals and persuading them to join my cause.  And it was tough.  Somehow I was able to connect with unbelievable supporters- off the top of my head, Ted Lipkin, Kashia Cave, Joshua Tipton, Scott Clifford, and Michelle Nieves, along with countless others, all were FB acquaintances that went above and beyond, ensuring that my first tour was a success.

Since I departed on my second tour, I have noticed a shift in the way people use Facebook.  It seems that nowadays they use it as a tabloid, to stay up to date with people's lives and taking it at purely face value.  I for one have not changed my approach of using Facebook, which is to connect and get to know the people I am "friends" with.  For instance, every single person that comments on my statuses or wall, I respond back and inquire about their point of view on no subject in particular.  At the very least, I would display my appreciation for taking the time to visit my page.  Because for me, every single status represented a person, a soul, that continually needs encouragement to carry on through this cold, brutal world.

EVERYONE NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT!  And if you have absolutely nothing in this world- not a house, a car, any money, a family- you have the most valuable currency in this world, encouragement.  It doesn't cost a single dime to encourage someone, yet it is the scarcest resource in our world.  And yes, even I need encouragement.  When I pour my heart out into the timeline of Facebook, and nobody takes the time to stop by to comment or like it, I feel like I am not appreciated; not important enough to take a minute of your day.  And I am confident that everyone on Facebook feels the same.  But it's not even about my feelings.  I am a tough guy, and I am able to mentally and spiritually overcome any challenge or hardship thrown my way.  It was the fact that only a few people shared my journey with their friends and contacts on Facebook, giving me the opportunity to inspire and encourage their youth in future communities.

I am not longer using Facebook for the simple fact that I have not been able to reach any schools through Facebook, unlike my first tour.  My main priority is acquiring as many opportunities to share my story with the youth of America as possible.  Originally, I was able to connect and build relationships with people I have yet to meet in person on Facebook.  Facebook was not tainted on my first tour, not as competitive for the attention of passer-bys much like tabloids in the checkout aisle of your super market.

Five days ago, I downloaded the Socialcam app for my iPhone (also available on Android).  Within 2 hours, I had received a shoutout from the most influential person on Socialcam, The Roxie.  Within 10 minutes after that, I had received a shoutout from the most influential people of her 40,000+ followers, displaying their limitless support, love, services and contacts.  Today, I have 3,000+ followers, countless offers for placing to stay, millions of words of encouragement- but most importantly, 5 booked school assemblies.  How I long for the time we could meet people on Facebook and offer them the love and understanding every person deserves.

Allow me to clarify.  I am not deactivating my Facebook account.  There are hundreds of people I love, some of whom I have only met once, that will always be there for ANYONE in their Facebook friend list.  I will use Socialcam exclusively to grant insight into my spirit and soul, but continue to push material through my Facebook and Twitter accounts.  I will continue to post interviews, articles, news segments onto Facebook, using it as a news feed (please share with your friends).  But I will not be able to comment or respond to every post or comment.  I hope you are able to join me on Socialcam.  You will very quickly understand my change of heart the minute you sign up.

I have much love and respect for everyone in this world, especially those you have shared my journey with me.  And especially those who have been there since the beginning, giving me the tools and encouragement to believe in the idea that one person could change the world.  My family (My mom, brother, my grandma, all my uncles and aunts, cousins) my best friend Chad Adams, Ray Porter, Kinetic Cycles and Bruce Kaiser, Lou and Lesley Corpuz, The Zimmerle Family and so many more families and friends.  I love you.  I truly love you.  And I love you reading this blog right now.  Encourage everyone you meet and come in contact with tomorrow.  Once you been doing so, you will begin to receive the love and encouragement that you deserve so much.

Please show your encouragement by leaving a comment and sharing with your family and friends.

I'm No Longer Fighting Childhood Obesity

You read it right!  I am no longer fighting childhood obesity.  Well, maybe I should explain- I am redefining the term 'childhood obesity'.  For the past two years I have seen countless programs, organizations and initiatives to fight childhood obesity and I can not bite my tongue any longer.  Our current system will NOT work in ending childhood obesity.  In fact, it is causing multiple issues within our youth that are far more devastating than the physical complications and affects of childhood obesity.

The weight of a child means nothing to me.  The weight I am most concerned with is the negativity, stereotypes and limitations that weigh down on our youth, preventing our youth from realizing their full-potential.  The reason our current approach is not working is because it is attacking childhood obesity from the outside in.  It seems to me the existing programs are forcing our children on diet and exercise routines and regiments, with the primary goal of getting them skinny.  And once kids are skinny, their job is done.  I am not satisfied with a kid simply being skinny.

I hear it all the time...

Defensive parent- "Wow, you are fighting for a great cause.  But my kid is as skinny as a pole, you don't need to talk to him."

My response- "That's great!  But does he know he can change the world?"

Our children, of all sizes, need encouragement; not a diet and exercise program.  All we can do as parents is educate our children about the affects of the choices they make throughout their day, and provide them with the resources they need for a healthy lifestyle.  When our children make the decision to lead healthy and active lifestyles, they will already have the tools necessary to fulfill their decision.  At the point you made the conscious decision to lead a healthier lifestyle, did you do so because you were forced to?  Or because you made a personal commitment and decision, within, to change the way you lead your life?  In order to evoke change, one must be self-motivated.  What makes our children any different?

Therefore, I am no longer fighting childhood obesity in the aesthetic, superficial approach we have implemented.  Damaging emotional problems are bound to follow.  Instead, I will opt to fight childhood obesity from the inside out encouraging our youth to get up, get out, and actively chase their dreams.  I strive to make our youth aware of the influence they possess as an individual within this world.  Once a child realizes they can change the world, they can easily change the way they lead their lives.  But that choice is up to them, not us.