Jim Ryun

When Olympian, All-American, United States Congressman (retired), and 2020 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Jim Ryun speaks from experience about dreaming big and how failures can guide you to your true gifting, you can't help but be inspired. Especially when you consider his journey from being cut from the church baseball team to being rated by ESPN as the number one high school athlete of the century, surpassing Tiger Woods and LeBron James.

Ryun represented the United States on three Olympic Teams, winning a silver medal in the 1500m at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He was the first high school boy to run a mile in under 4 minutes in June 1964, and he has set multiple world records in the mile, 1500 meters, 800 meters, and 880 yards. His achievements continue to attract media attention, beginning with ABC's Wide World of Sports and the Today Show, and continuing with appearances on Fox News, ESPN, and the 700 Club. He has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated 7 times, as well as in Newsweek, Runner's World, and Parade Magazine.

Over the last 50 years, Ryun has spoken to thousands at various conferences, workshops, clinics, running camps, churches, prayer breakfasts, men's conferences, and political meetings. He has authored several books with his sons, the most recent being "The Courage to Run," a 60-day devotional reflecting on his life as an athlete, husband, parent, and U.S. congressman. His featured keynote program, "Forgiveness: A Journey to Healing," discusses personal experiences and the significance of forgiveness, offering valuable insights into overcoming personal challenges and achieving reconciliation.