Ruben Gonzalez

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First 4-Decade Winter Olympian
Leadership, Sales, Change Expert
Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author

As a Four-Time Olympian, peak-performance expert Ruben Gonzalez knows how to achieve success again and again. A master storyteller, Ruben uses his Olympic experiences to inspire audiences to think differently, live life with passion and have the courage to take the necessary steps toward their goals - to push beyond self-imposed limitations and to produce better results! His client list reads like a Who's Who of Corporate America: Dell, Coca-Cola, Farmers Insurance, Ortho McNeal, the Million Dollar Round Table, Oracle, Wells Fargo, Century21, and even the U.S. Treasury Department.

Ruben's story will fill your 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. His book, The Courage to Succeed, has been endorsed by Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, Brian Tracy, Rudy Ruettiger, Pat Williams, Mark Victor Hansen, Wally Amos, and Dr. Robert Schuller. It's been translated to over 10 languages. Ruben's appeared nationally on ABC, CBS, NBC and the FOX Business Channel. He's been featured in Time Magazine, BusinessWeek, CNN Business, the New York Times as well as publications around the world. His articles on peak-performance are read on every continent.

With over twenty years of sales, marketing, and business experience, Ruben is an expert on creating and sustaining business growth...FAST.

CREDENTIALS:
* The first person to ever compete in four Winter Olympics each in a different DECADE!
(1988, 1992, 2002, 2010)
* Award-winning keynote speaker
* Owner of several successful businesses
* Popular Magazine Columnist
* Frequent radio and TV guest - ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX Business, etc.
* Bestselling author of The Courage to Succeed, and Becoming Unstoppable
* Torch Bearer at the Salt Lake City Olympics, Mountain Climber, Ran with the bulls in Pamplona!

Ruben will inspire and equip your people to achieve more than ever before.

“

Invite Ruben to speak to your group and you'll be glad you did. - Zig Ziglar

”

More rave reviews

"Phenomenal"

-New York Life

"Amazing"

-Bacardi

"Outstanding"

-Microsoft

"ConocoPhillips"

-Superb

"Captivating."

-Xerox

"Dynamite."

-Coca Cola

"A Home Run."

-Kaiser Permanente

"If you will listen to Ruben speak, your life will change."

-Lou Holtz

"Ruben was great! Funny, quick-witted, and he has an incredible story to boot!"

-Dave Ramsey - National Radio Talk Show Host

"Ruben WOWED our sales group. After Ruben's presentation, our sales were up tremendously."

-Sean O'Keeffe - President, O'keeffe & Swartz - South Africa

"Ruben's incredible story inspires people to be their best."

-Howard Putnam - Former CEO Southwest Airlines

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Ruben Gonzalez: The Power of Following the Leader | TEDxManitouSprings

Talks & Conversations with Ruben Gonzalez

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Becoming Unstoppable - Success Secrets from a Four-Time Olympian

Ruben shares what he had to do to make it to the Olympics and how anyone can reach their goals faster by following the same success principles. Learn how to develop the mental toughness of Olympic athletes so you can win more sales, dominate your market, and leave your competition behind.

This program is perfect for a group facing change, challenges, or setbacks to overcome.

Your people will learn:
• How to condition their minds for success.
• How to become unstoppable in the face of challenges.
• How to take their commitment to a higher level.
• How to become confident and laser focused.
• How to become better leaders.
*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.

He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben’s story is one of the most compelling I’ve ever heard.”
Guy Baker – President – Million Dollar Round Table

Leadership Gold

When Ruben got started in the luge he thought he could do it all himself. Along the way he
realized that he would need help. He learned leadership skills and was able to create a Dream Team. By working through his team he was able to realize his Olympic dream.

Your people will learn:
• How to engage their teams.
• How to communicate effectively as a leader.
• How to get their people to take personal responsibility for their results.
• Why being open about your mistakes makes you a better leader.
• How to turn success into significance.
*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.

He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“This was a fantastic lesson on leadership. Ruben is a real example for us to follow as Business leaders.”
Caroline Basyn – CIO – Bacardi

Taking Advantage of Change

Anybody who can switch from soccer to luge at the age of 21 and make it to the Olympics
knows a thing or two about embracing change. Whenever conditions change, whoever adapts first wins. Change is actually a good thing because it is like a blank slate – it gives you an opportunity to win.

Your People will Learn:
• How to navigate challenges and setbacks with agility.
• How to use creativity to stay ahead of the game.
• How to become mentally tough and resilient.
• How to create the mindset of a champion.
• How to win regardless of the circumstances.
*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.

He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben’s message generated immediate action and helped us excel as a company.”
George Chavel – CEO – Sodexo

Selling Like a Champion

Ruben sold copiers in downtown Houston for several years. He tried to sell paper shredders to Enron, but they wouldn’t let him in the building! He regularly speaks for sales kickoffs all around the world.

IMPORTANT – Ruben doesn’t talk about sales techniques and closes. He talks about attitude, perseverance, character, and mental toughness. The things that it really takes to succeed in sales and in life. That way your people can continue using your sales systems more effectively.

Your people will learn:
• How to become high sales performers.
• How to separate themselves from their competition.
• How to commit to their sales goals.
• How to keep moving forward while constantly improving.
• How to get and stay motivated to sell.
*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.

He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben did a phenomenal job at our sales kick off.”
Mariana Castro – General Manager – Microsoft

Teamwork Takes You Further

Ruben trained for years as part of an international team made up up lugers from many different countries. Even though they competed against each other, they understood that their best chance was to work together and help each other out during the training week.
You can go faster by yourself, but you can go much further by being part of a team.

Your people will learn:
• How to create a high performance team.
• How to develop mutual respect amongst teammates.
• How by focusing on that’s best for their team they can be their best.
• How to stop making excuses and start taking responsibility and accountability.
• How to get themselves to focus on exceeding expectations.

*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals. He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben’s incredible story inspires people to be their best.”
Robert Putnam - CEO - Southwest Airlines

Safety - How Champions Manage Risk

Ruben shares the importance of learning what to do and what not to do to stay safe so you can produce more.He does this through entertaining stories about climbing Kilimanjaro, skydiving in South Africa, luging, running with the bulls in Spain, and other high risk experiences where Ruben was able to stay injury-free by managing the risk around him.

Your people will learn:
• How to reduce disability.
• How to achieve superior safety in the workplace.
• How focusing on the task at hand increases safety.
• How to using due diligence prevents accidents.
• How to be present and how to create contingency plans.

*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.
He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben’s ability to weave safety into his story was fantastic. It was a safety day that we’ll never forget.”
Jeff DiStefano - CEO - Harrison & Burrows Bridge Constructors

Journey to the Olympics: How the Immigrant Experience and Growth Mindset Drove Me to Succeed

Ruben Gonzalez was born in Argentina and immigrated to the US with his family when he was six. Ruben’s experience as an immigrant and the adversity he and his family had to overcome, fueled his drive to succeed. Empowered with a growth mindset and believing that he could achieve anything he worked at, Ruben became the first person to ever compete in four Winter Olympics in four different decades.  

Your people will learn:
- How to develop a growth mindset that will fuel their drive to succeed
- How the willingness to make mistakes is what makes champions.
- How to become unstoppable in the face of challenges
- How to condition your mind for success

*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.
He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoint ever!

“Ruben’s story inspired us to keep fighting for our dreams and use our Latino superpowers to make a difference in everything we do.”
Aura Castillo Daza - Business Operations, Google

Books by Ruben Gonzalez

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Biography

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First 4-Decade Winter Olympian, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Leadership, Sales,
Change Expert

Picture this.

A 21-year-old sits on the couch watching the Olympics… and makes a decision that defies logic:
“I’m going to compete in the next Games.”

No experience. No natural talent. No roadmap. Just a dream so big most people would dismiss it instantly.

Four years later—after crashes, setbacks, and more than a few broken bones—he’s no longer watching.
He’s on the starting line, racing in the Olympic Games in the sport of luge.

Then he does it again.
And again.
And again.

At 47—when most athletes have been retired for decades—he’s still competing… against
athletes young enough to be his kids.

And he’s not done.

Now he’s training for the 2030 Winter Olympics, chasing something no one’s ever done:
competing in six different decades—and becoming the oldest Winter Olympian in history.

But here’s the real story…

This isn’t just about Ruben.

It’s about what happens in the room when people realize what’s possible for them.

As a Four-Time Olympian, bestselling author, and TED speaker with over a million views, Ruben
doesn’t deliver speeches—he creates breakthroughs.

You can feel the shift.
First, people lean in.
Then, they start to rethink their limits.

By the end, they’re on their feet—because something inside them has changed.

They don’t just leave inspired.
They leave activated.
They walk out with unshakable belief, practical tools for mental toughness, and the courage to
go after goals they once labeled “unrealistic.”

Because when you hear from someone actively proving that age, fear, and “common sense” are
negotiable… excuses lose their power.

That’s why high-performing organizations bring Ruben in when the stakes are high.
Companies like Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Oracle, Google, and Chick-fil-A aren’t looking for
motivation.

They want transformation—and results.

Ruben’s ignited teams on five continents, delivering impact that lasts long after the applause
fades.

His story’s been featured by ABC, CBS, NBC, Time Magazine, and The New York Times. His book, The Courage to Succeed, earned endorsements from legends like Lou Holtz, Stephen Covey, and Ken Blanchard.

The Olympic Committee honored his journey by selecting him to carry the Olympic Torch.

But what truly connects?

Ruben isn’t extraordinary because of talent.
He’s extraordinary because of choice.

He chose to start before he was ready—and to keep going when quitting would have been
easier.

That’s why audiences see themselves in his story.
It feels possible.
It feels real.
It feels like permission.

Permission to stop playing small.
Permission to take the shot.
Permission to go all in.

And because he’s still training… still competing… still chasing the next “impossible” goal…
Every word carries weight.

The result?

Teams that stop making excuses—and start making history.

Leaders who trade comfort for courage.
Organizations that break through plateaus and redefine what’s possible.

And individuals who walk out thinking:
“If he’s still going after it… what’s my excuse?"

Book Ruben Gonzalez—and watch transformation show up where it matters most: your results.

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