Rulon Gardner
Olympic Gold Medalist for Wrestling
SPEAKER FEE RANGE: Please Inquire
TRAVELS FROM: Colorado
When Rulon Gardner won the Olympic gold medal for wrestling in Sydney, his victory rocked the world. It was more than just a simple tale of success - it was the story of an underdog who rose to unimagined heights of accomplishment and glory. An athlete with a history of notable but obscure success, Rulon became a household name - and the pride of a nation - when he took Olympic gold from the hands of Alexander Karelin, an athlete who had been undefeated since 1985. In a modern day David and Goliath, Rulon found himself fighting a match of mythic proportions - the United States versus former archenemy Russia and a first-time Olympian versus a veteran three-time Olympic gold medallist. Rulon shares with his audiences the sense of determination, the self-confidence and the fighting spirit that gave him the strength to stand up against seemingly unbeatable odds - and win. He has authored an autobiography titles Never Stop Pushing: My LIfe from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medal Stand.
Rulon Gardner shocked the world in Sydney when he defeated the previously
undefeated “Russian Bear” in the “Miracle on the Mat.” He came back to win Bronze in Athens, when he ceremoniously left his shoes on the mat and retired after the match. Rulon performs motivational speeches for corporations, schools and community groups.
Rulon's wrestling career began when he was six years old. For one week every year, Star Valley would have a wrestling camp, which always concluded with a tournament on the weekend. Rulon participated in this from six years old until he started junior high school at 12 years old. Rulon began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued with the wrestling seasons until he graduated from the University of Nebraska.
Rulon is very proud of graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. Winning the Gold in Sydney did not come without dedication and sacrifice. Rulon has sacrificed much in order to reach his Olympic aspirations.
Rulon’s charmed life nearly came to an end, however, when he was lost in the Wyoming wilderness after a snowmobile accident. Surviving in sub-zero temperatures, sopping wet, for hours, Rulon in the end suffered the amputation of a toe.
Rulons life has recently taken another turn: he is a contestant on Season 11 of NBC's The Biggest Loser: Couples. Gardner weighed in at 474 pounds, however, by the end of his first week of weight loss efforts he lost 32 pounds.
Rulon has experienced wins as well as losses in his life. Rulon has never dwelled on the negatives in his life; instead he takes each challenge and uses it as a means to improve his life.
undefeated “Russian Bear” in the “Miracle on the Mat.” He came back to win Bronze in Athens, when he ceremoniously left his shoes on the mat and retired after the match. Rulon performs motivational speeches for corporations, schools and community groups.
Rulon's wrestling career began when he was six years old. For one week every year, Star Valley would have a wrestling camp, which always concluded with a tournament on the weekend. Rulon participated in this from six years old until he started junior high school at 12 years old. Rulon began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued with the wrestling seasons until he graduated from the University of Nebraska.
Rulon is very proud of graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. Winning the Gold in Sydney did not come without dedication and sacrifice. Rulon has sacrificed much in order to reach his Olympic aspirations.
Rulon’s charmed life nearly came to an end, however, when he was lost in the Wyoming wilderness after a snowmobile accident. Surviving in sub-zero temperatures, sopping wet, for hours, Rulon in the end suffered the amputation of a toe.
Rulons life has recently taken another turn: he is a contestant on Season 11 of NBC's The Biggest Loser: Couples. Gardner weighed in at 474 pounds, however, by the end of his first week of weight loss efforts he lost 32 pounds.
Rulon has experienced wins as well as losses in his life. Rulon has never dwelled on the negatives in his life; instead he takes each challenge and uses it as a means to improve his life.
- Never Give Up, Never Stop Trying: 7 Steps to Success
Rulon Gardner speaks on turning negative moments into character building experiences. As a child he did not have the easiest life. The family barn burnt down leaving him to milk the cows in below freezing weather; he was often made fun of at school for his learning disability; and his teachers dissuades him from going to college because he’d “fail.” Throughout all the negativity though, he had a caring family that instilled him with a high work ethic and impressive resilience. “I have a very strong core, a strong subconscious,” he comments explaining that this enabled him “to focus and continue to push everyday, not just in wrestling, but in life.”
We can help ideate, source and book speakers that aren't on our website, too. Leave an inquiry or call us at