Rulon Gardner

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5 out of 5

Olympic Gold Medalist, World Wrestling Champion, Author

Travels From Travels From:
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
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Rulon Gardner Biography

Rulon Gardner was born on August 16, 1971, in Afton, Wyoming. As the youngest of nine children born to Reed and Virginia Gardner, he was raised on a dairy farm where they grew their own crops and milked cows twice a day, providing ample work. School was a challenge for Gardner, particularly with reading speed and comprehension. With the support of his family, he persevered, completed his schoolwork, and eventually earned a wrestling scholarship from Ricks College. He transferred to the University of Nebraska on a Division I scholarship, where he continued to excel in wrestling.

Gardner began wrestling at the age of six, participating in Star Valley's annual wrestling camp and tournament. He continued wrestling through junior high and college, culminating in a distinguished collegiate wrestling career at the University of Nebraska. He graduated with a degree in physical education, a qualification that underscored his commitment to sports and physical training. Post-graduation, Gardner dedicated himself to Olympic wrestling, a pursuit marked by significant sacrifice and dedication.

In a sensational upset at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Gardner won the gold medal by defeating Alexander Karelin, who had been undefeated since 1985. This victory, known as the "Miracle on the Mat," saw Gardner emerge from relative obscurity to international fame. His Olympic achievements continued with a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, after which he retired from wrestling, symbolically leaving his shoes on the mat. Gardner's wrestling accolades also include a World Wrestling Championship in 2001, multiple US Championships (1995, 1997, 2001), and titles from the Pan American Games (1998) and the World Cup (1996).

Gardner's life has been punctuated by resilience in the face of adversity, notably surviving a severe snowmobile accident in the Wyoming wilderness, which led to the amputation of a toe. He also endured a motorcycle accident among other injuries. These experiences have not only shaped his character but also his messages of persistence and determination, which he shares in his motivational speeches across various platforms including corporations, schools, and community groups.

Aside from wrestling and public speaking, Gardner has ventured into mixed martial arts and hosted the show "Real Pro Wrestling" in 2005. He authored an autobiography titled "Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medal Stand" which was released by Avalon Publishing on September 6, 2005. His book and speeches emphasize turning negative moments into character-building experiences, drawing from a life filled with both monumental achievements and significant challenges. Gardner's ongoing engagement with audiences through motivational speaking underscores his commitment to inspiring others to overcome adversity and strive for success.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/06/2024.

Rulon Gardner Speaking Topics

  • Rulon Gardner Speech Topics

    • Never Give Up, Never Stop Trying

    • 7 steps to Success

    • Refresh, Renew, Reconnect Go Back to the Basics

    • Turn the Negatives into Positives

    • Aim High When You're Feeling Low

    • Enlist Others

    • Train Hard

    • Take Care of Business

Rulon Gardner Videos

  • Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner the new wrestling coach at ...
    KSL's Alex Cabrero caught up with new Herriman High wrestling coach Rulon Gardner, who wants to teach his students and athletes to be ...
  • The incredible story of the "indestructible man" - Rulon Gardner ...
    The incredible story of the "indestructible man" - Rulon Gardner. Athlete's Tales. Loading... Unsubscribe from Athlete's Tales? Cancel

Rulon Gardner Books

  • Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medals Stand
    Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medals Stand

FAQs on booking Rulon Gardner

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  • What topics does Rulon Gardner speak about?

  • Where does Rulon Gardner travel from?

    Rulon Gardner generally travels from Colorado Springs, CO, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Rulon Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Rulon Gardner Speech Topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Rulon Gardner for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Rulon Gardner generally travels from Colorado Springs, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shannon Miller, Rocky Bleier, Jim Morris, Vince Papale and Dave Dravecky. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rulon Gardner for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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