Rulon Gardner

Rulon Gardner

Keynote Speaker: Olympic Gold Medalist, World Wrestling Champion, Author

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.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Rulon Gardner and other top speakers and celebrities.

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 ...
The incredible story of the "indestructible man" - Rulon Gardner ...

How do I book Rulon Gardner to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Rulon Gardner for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Rulon Gardner, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Rulon Gardner or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Rulon Gardner for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Rulon Gardner, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Rulon Gardner are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Rulon Gardner, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Rulon Gardner speak about?

Rulon Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Christian Athletes, College, Inspirational, Olympic Athlete, Diversity & Inclusion, Personal Growth, Sports Motivation, Empowerment, Overcoming Adversity, Peak Performance, Athlete, Success, Television & Film, Motivational, Sports, Fitness and Sports Coaching.

Where does Rulon Gardner travel from?

Rulon Gardner generally travels from Colorado Springs, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Rulon Gardner?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Rulon Gardner for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Rulon Gardner for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Rulon Gardner or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Rulon Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Christian Athletes, College and Inspirational. The estimated speaking fee range to book Rulon Gardner for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $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 and Jim Morris. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rulon Gardner for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

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 ...
The incredible story of the "indestructible man" - Rulon Gardner ...

Rulon Gardner Reviews

  • Great speaker and experience!
    Idaho Farm Bureau - Dec 12 2023

  • Midwest Roofing Contractors Association - Oct 26 2023

Rulon Gardner News

  • How do I book Rulon Gardner to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Rulon Gardner for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Rulon Gardner, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Rulon Gardner or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Rulon Gardner for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Rulon Gardner, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Rulon Gardner are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Rulon Gardner, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Rulon Gardner speak about?

  • Where does Rulon Gardner travel from?

    Rulon Gardner generally travels from Colorado Springs, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Rulon Gardner?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Rulon Gardner for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Rulon Gardner for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Rulon Gardner or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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