Ruben Gonzalez
First 4-Decade Winter Olympian, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author,
Leadership, Sales, Change Expert
Topic Categories:
Fee Range: Contact Speaker Exchange Agency
- At the age of 21 took up the sport of luge.
- Four years and a few broken bones later competed in the Olympics.
- First person to ever compete in four Winter Olympics each in a different decade.
- Bestselling Author of “The Courage to Succeed” and “The Inner Game of Success.”
- Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author
- Over 100 Fortune 500 Clients in 5 continents
- Endorsed by Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, Brian Tracy and many others.
- His presentation is “An Olympic Experience You’ll Never forget.”
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
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—Ruben was competing in the Vancouver Olympics… 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 – breaking a hundred-year record.
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 a lot 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.
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.
Success isn’t luck—it’s built through consistency, focus, and relentless execution. In this high-energy, engaging, and inspirational presentation, Ruben shares the success principles behind high performance, peak performance, and winning at the highest level. Your team will discover how to turn goals into measurable results, strengthen mental toughness and mindset, and build momentum through daily action and discipline.
From preparation to performance, this keynote equips your employees, salespeople, and leaders to perform when it matters most. To have the high-performance edge – to triumph in the moments that matter and drive growth and progress.
Motivation fades. Purpose fuels performance. It ignites the fire – motivation that lasts. This inspirational, high-energy, and unforgettable keynote, is a blueprint and catalyst, that helps your audience reconnect with their dreams, passion, and potential. They’ll learn how to stay motivated, focused, and committed, build energy, confidence, and momentum, and turn goals into meaningful achievement. Your people won’t just feel inspired—they’ll leave ready to take action.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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!
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 created his own “Dream Team.” Ruben turned singles luge into a team sport. 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.
- How to turn success into significance.
Ruben competed against the world’s best Olympic athletes – he reveals how top executives, managers, and C-level leaders build trust, respect, and accountability under extreme pressure, when it counts. Through powerful stories, insights, and life-lessons, your audience will learn how to lead with clarity, confidence, and character, communicate with impact and influence, and take responsibility for results and outcomes.
This keynote delivers practical, thought-provoking takeaways that transform how your organization performs.
Perfect for: executives, companies, corporations, and global organizations. It’s a session that helps turn trials and burnout into transformation and extraordinary triumph.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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 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 around the world.
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.
Most organizations don’t struggle with ideas—they struggle with execution. This practical, results-driven keynote shows leaders, sales teams, and managers how to align strategy with action, improve productivity, performance, and profitability, and deliver measurable results, metrics, and outcomes. Ruben will show your team how to become gritty as they battle their opponents.
Ideal for sales kickoff, business meetings, and professional development programs.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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!
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’s 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.
In today’s fast-moving business environment, change is constant. The question is—will your organization adapt or fall behind?
This thought-provoking, insight-driven keynote helps companies, entrepreneurs, and leaders embrace innovation, creativity, and agility, stay aligned with strategy and future goals, and turn uncertainty into opportunity, growth, and results. It’s a masterclass on mental preparation, on reframing challenges, overcoming fear of failure and fear of the unknown, to develop grit, determination to leverage your talent in the pursuit of excellence.
Perfect for annual meetings, conferences, and events focused on transformation and development.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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 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.
Great teams don’t happen by accident—championship teams are built through culture, collaboration, and communication. In this engaging, entertaining, and often funny keynote, Ruben shows how to create strong teamwork, morale, and buy-in, a culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity (DE&I), and high-performing employees who take ownership and deliver results. Whether you’re leading a company, franchise, or global organization, this keynote builds teams that win.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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 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, flying airplanes, 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.
In a world full of noise, the ability to captivate an audience is everything. This entertaining, humor-filled, and thought-provoking keynote teaches your team how to manage risk. Ruben uses stories, a powerful message, and emotion to connect, communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact, how champions are mindful of safety so they can stay on top.
From the factory, to the worksite, to the construction site, to the boardroom, this keynote changes how your people view safety. Ruben will inspire your employees to take consistent and persistent safe action.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** 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 Gonzalez was born in Argentina. His family immigrated to the US 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 toot your own horn in order to be noticed for promotions.
- How to condition your mind for success.
Every challenge, obstacle, and moment of adversity is an opportunity in disguise – it’s a chance to turn a setback into a comeback – to turn defeat into triumph. Ruben’s epic journey—from bench warmer to Olympian—is a powerful example of resilience, persistence, and fearless commitment.
This motivational, uplifting, and emotional keynote shows your audience how to overcome fear, roadblocks, and tough circumstances, how to develop strength, toughness, and confidence, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Your audience won’t just be inspired—they’ll be ready to take bold action.
Perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month – Sept 15 through Oct 15.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
*** Ruben will tailor his presentation based on your specific goals.
He’ll even combine more than one topic depending on your needs. No PowerPoin
Between his sporting and his speaking careers, Ruben’s travelled to over 50 countries.
Ruben does great with international audiences. As an immigrant from Argentina, he understands that:
- He needs to slow down his delivery.
- He can’t tell jokes with English idioms that people from other countries wouldn’t understand.
- Plus, he relates really well with people from other countries.
Ruben can present in fluent Spanish. He speaks some French and German.
A lot of American humor is based on idioms, puns and playing on words. Whenever an American speaker uses that kind of humor with an international audience, there’s a disconnect. The speaker expects a laugh, and instead gets blank stares. This unnerves the speaker and starts a downward spiral. Before long, the speaker loses their audience and doesn’t even know why.
Ruben can navigate around these common speaker pitfalls, because he speaks several languages, and understands what works and what doesn’t work abroad. He speaks from a wealth of knowledge and a wealth of experience, that mitigates the common speaker faux pas
(French for sticking your foot in your mouth).
Ruben’s as great an international speaker as you’ll find anywhere.
Since 2002, Ruben has spoken in Dubai, UAE, Tokyo, Japan, Singapore, Hanoi, North Vietnam, Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Johannesburg, South Africa, Geneva, Switzerland, France, Stockholm, Sweden, Warsaw, Poland, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Canada, Panama, Barcelona, Spain, and many more places around the globe.
Ruben’s books are read around the world. They’ve been translated to Spanish, German, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malaysian.
His body of work has been endorsed by, Stephen Covey, Lou Holtz, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Dave Ramsey, Rudy Ruettiger, Denis Waitley, Tom Hopkins, Ken Blanchard, Pat Williams, Wally Amos, Scott Hamilton, Marshall Goldsmith, Vince Papale, Devon Harris, and Jack Canfield.
Virtual – After hundreds of virtual presentations, Ruben has mastered what works best to keep audiences engaged. His high energy and outstanding storytelling will keep your team on the edge of their seats.
Ruben ignites and engages his audiences. His incredible story takes people’s excuses away. People walk out differently than how they walked in. From discouraged to encouraged. From fearful to empowered. From stuck to unstuck. Leaders see immediate results.
Book Ruben now for your next event, and inspire, equip and empower your team to win.
Make your next meeting, an Olympic experience you’ll never forget!
Want to bring Ruben Gonzalez to your next event? Please tell us a little about your event, and we will get back to you shortly!