Travels from Colorado, USA
Ruben Gonzalez's speaking fee falls within range: $15,000 to $20,000
When Houston resident Ruben Gonzalez decided to try out luging, he had never even touched snow. Over 30 years later, he is the only winter Olympian to have competed in four Olympics across four different decades. Today he shows major companies how to develop the “Olympic Mindset,” a strategic way of thinking that makes people more productive, and organizations more profitable in ANY economy.
While most luge competitors start practicing the sport when they are ten, Ruben began at the age of 21. Likewise, he pushed the limits of Olympian retirement, competing in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics at the age of 47 against a long line of twenty-something athletes. His inspiring Olympic tale of perseverance against unfavorable odds made him the perfect choice to carry the Olympic torch in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
Ruben believes that life should be an adventure. The former copier salesman is a private plane pilot who has ran from the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; he has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro; and has rapelled down a 23-story hotel building after speaking at a conference. All proceeds from his books go towards building and developing libraries in third-world countries.
One of Ruben’s Olympic uniforms is on permanent display at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
(Note: Ruben can present fluently in either English or Spanish.)
He wasn’t a gifted athlete. He didn’t take up the sport of luge until he was 21. Against all odds, four years later he was competing in the Winter Olympics. At the age of 39 he was racing against 20-year-olds in the Salt Lake City Olympics!
He takes people’s excuses away. He’s the Rudy of the Olympics. He’s proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things if they will follow a few simple steps.
From the insights of Three-time Olympian and peak-performance expert Ruben Gonzalez, comes a motivational keynote about taking control of your business and your life.
Ruben Speaks from Olympic experience. He teaches the personal effectiveness system he used to achieve success again and again in both the Olympics and in business.
Ruben’s funny, direct and on target. He doesn’t pull any punches. He tells it like it is. He’s on a mission to inspire and equip people to think differently, to take immediate action, and to produce better results.
Ruben’s story fills people with the spirit of teamwork, commitment to excellence, and personal dedication they need to succeed. His story will renew the pride and dedication of everyone in your organization, from top executives to your newest employee.
Achieving Greatness Great people were not born great. They became great by making a decision to pursue their dream in life and by refusing to give up. The struggle we must all face on the road to our dreams is what makes us great. Ordinary people can become extraordinary if they dedicate their lives to the pursuit of their dreams.
Living Your Life as an Adventure Deep down in every heart is the desire to be somebody, to do something great.
In the third Grade I had the call, the beckoning, an inner longing to go to the Olympics. To strike out on an adventure. I refused the call out of fear, out of a low self image, out of lack of belief that I could ever be an Olympian. At age 21 I overcame my fears and I accepted the call.
What was the difference? How did I change? What gave me courage? The books I read and the people I consistently associated with.
Refusal of the call would have been devastating. Those who refuse the call can never be heroes. They are destined to live with regret. A life with no peak experiences. A life of quiet desperation.
Courage You will never achieve anything great in life unless you dare to believe that something inside you is bigger than the circumstances you face.
When we think about or dreams, it is like a call to arms. A call to take an adventurous journey. The spiritual journey takes us inward and downward to face the hardest realities of our lives. We must understand and acknowledge that the enemy is within – fear of failure. Accepting the call requires courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of fear.
Action is the proof of your courage. Courage is going against the odds, against popular opinion. It’s doing what most people aren’t willing to do. Having the heart to choose your own course of action. And taking responsibility when you fail or stumble. With Courage you can do almost anything. Without it even a brilliant person accomplishes little.
Pursuing Your Dream We were designed and created for extraordinary achievement. God puts a dream in your heart. God gives you all the gifts, talents, and hidden resources you’ll need to make your dream come true. It is up to you to do the work. It is up to each one of us to decide to make the journey, put ourselves through the struggle, pursue our dreams. When we are struggling we will dig deep inside us and only then will we find our gifts.
Pushing Beyond Self-imposed Limitations Conditioning our minds for extraordinary achievement is simple but it takes time. The road to huge successes in all areas of your life can be broken down to five steps. What you tell yourself influences what your beliefs and thoughts are. Your thoughts determine what you do. What you do repeatedly becomes your habits. Your habits determine your results.
If you are not happy with your results, change what you say to yourself and surround yourself with people who support and encourage the quest for your dream. If you do that, before long you’ll be getting different results.
Risk Taking You win by taking the journey. After taking the journey you will never be the same again. Life itself is about getting knocked down and getting back up and trying again. Jump and find your wings on the way down!
I dare you to take the journey. To think bigger, act bigger and to be bigger. And I promise you a richer and more exciting life if you do. The world is filled with opportunity and the rewards for the daring are great. Focus on the objective, not the obstacles.
Tenacity You will face a challenge, a struggle on the way to your dream. When it comes, look it squarely in the eye and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.”
Not quitting on the way to the goal transforms us. It’s about who we become by taking the journey. The Olympics are about all that is right about the human spirit. The Olympics showcase a group of people who were willing to go for it. People who refused to quit when the going got tough. I only made it because I refused to quit.
Decision Making When you are on a quest for your dream decision making is simple. All you do is ask yourself which choice gets you closer to your dream. You are the dream. Whenever you choose to do something that keeps you from your dream, you are not being true to yourself.
Leadership Would you follow someone you don’t trust? Of course not! Therefore, leadership rule #1 is to be a person of integrity. To be absolutely trustworthy.
The other thing is to be Passionate about your mission. Most people are afraid to show passion for what they believe. Being passionate about your dream will set you apart from the crowd because 95% of people are afraid to show passion for anything.
If you are trustworthy and passionate about your cause, you will attract followers. You will become a person of influence, which is what leadership is all about.
Success Success is not about how much talent you have. It’s about what you do with the talent you do have. Successful people love the battle, the challenge, the journey. It’s not about the outcome. It’s about knowing that you did the best you could to become the best of what you were capable. If you give it your all, you can hold your head up no matter what the outcome.
Four-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez shares business lessons from his time hurdling down a mountain at 80 MPH on a luge. He confesses that every time he went down the luge he was terrified and by the time he got to the bottom of each course, he never wanted to do another run again. Luckily though the end of the course was lined with radios that put athletes in immediate touch with their coaches, and Ruben’s coach was a four-time champion, “the best of the best.”
“My father always told me, ‘If you have to cross a mine field, it’s probably smart to follow somebody who’s already crossed it,’” Ruben recalls. “Preferably someone who still has their legs.” In fearful moments or times of failure, he urges the audience to call their coach, whether it be a mentor, family member, or friend, so that they can receive the outside support needed to continue working towards their dream.
Ruben Gonzalez tailors his incredible repertoire of powerful stories to fit your objectives, whether they are related to sales, teamwork, overcoming challenges, or motivation. Beyond all the medals and riveting tales, he makes it clear through his humble presentation that he is just an ordinary guy who has accomplished extraordinary things through extraordinary efforts, and anyone in his audience can do the same. Participants will learn insights that will help them gain a competitive advantage both in their career and in life from a peak performance expert who has achieved success across several fields.
Becoming Unstoppable: High Achievement Secrets of a Three-time Olympian
In this funny, motivational, high energy message, your audience will learn how to build confidence and destroy fear, how to unleash their passion and drive, how to unlock their full potential, how to turn defeat into victory, and how to achieve their personal or professional ambitions.
In addition, this inspiring keynote is filled with proven methods and techniques that will help your people develop a winning mindset. This program is perfect for a group facing change, challenges or set-backs to overcome. Your audience will learn how to become resilient and how to become unstoppable on the way to the top!
Ideal for your opening or closing session!
From Ordinary to Extraordinary Ruben is proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things if they follow a few simple steps. Ruben is funny, direct and on target. He’s on a mission to inspire and equip people to think differently, to take im-mediate action, and to produce better results. To achieve more than ever before. Through his riveting stories and keen insights Ruben brings the Olympics to life. He will give your audience an Olympic experience they will never forget. A transforming, powerfully emotional experience. Truly an event. Ruben’s story of his quest for the Olympics gives people hope and strength. His story moves people to commitment and action. After experiencing Ruben’s program, your people will know exactly what it takes to succeed in life. They will be inspired and equipped to take whatever they do to the next level.
Abandon Your Nets The biggest organization on earth was built by these 7 words: “Abandon your nets and come follow me.” Those seven words, which are all about leaving behind what feels safe and taking bold risks, result in massive change – life-changing change. When Ruben decided to pursue his Olympic dream he did exactly that. He abandoned the safe easy path and he embraced the bold, difficult path. After listening to Ruben’s presentation your people will be ready to embrace change and focus on the end result.
“Ruben WOWED our audience of 6500 at a major Million Dollar Round Table event. Attendees told us his presentation inspired them to pursue their goals with determination and dedication. Ruben has one of the most compelling and on point messages I’ve ever heard. Ruben is an outstanding, accomplished and inspiring speaker.”
Guy Baker – 37 Year member of the Million Dollar Round Table. President of MDRT.
“Ruben’s presentation motivated our sales force to the point where the entire Dallas Region is excited about conquering all sales goals!”
Ces Guerra – Sales Manager – AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
“After listening to you, I presented the theme of your message to my sales force. I am delighted to say that sales for the following week were the highest in four months. Thank you for your inspiration.”
Jeff Allen – CEO, Integrity Group Financial
“Listening to Ruben was an excellent experience. I’d like to see Ruben back next year.”
Brent Young – Humana Insurance
“Your keynote was superb. You were funny, entertaining, yet insightful and inspirational. You were the first speaker to ever receive a standing ovation from our group! Everyone thanked me for bringing you in You made me look great!”
Karen Pena – VP of Education Meeting Planners International
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