Rulon Gardner

Rulon Gardner Speaker Biography

Olympic Medal Winning Greco-Roman Wrestler

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.