| Ruben Gonzalez | |
| Birth Name: | Rubén Oscar González |
| Birth Date: | 1962 7, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Campana, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Other Names: | “The Luge Man,” “Speedy” |
| Education: | BS in chemistry and biology |
| Alma Mater: | Houston Christian University |
| Occupation: | Motivational keynote speaker |
| Known For: | Olympian, author, speaker |
Rubén Oscar González (born 26 July 1962) is a four-time Olympian, a professional keynote speaker and a bestselling author.
González competed in the men's luge from 1988 to 2010. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he holds the record for being the first athlete to participate in four different Winter Olympic games in four different decades.[1]
González was born in Campana, Argentina, an oil town about 50 miles north of Buenos Aires. His father worked as a chemical engineer in the local Exxon refinery. His family emigrated to the United States in 1968.
When González was 10 years old, while watching the 1972 Winter Olympics, he decided he wanted to become an Olympian.
Although he lived in Queens, New York, and Maracaibo, Venezuela, Gonzalez spent most of his life in Houston. He graduated from Houston Baptist University with degrees in chemistry and biology. At HBU, he played on the varsity soccer team.
González took up the sport of luge when he was 21 after being inspired by watching figure skater Scott Hamilton win the gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
González trained in Lake Placid, New York and in Europe and competed in the 1988 Calgary, 1992 Albertville, 2002 Salt Lake City, and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.[2]
Because of his inspirational story, González was selected to be a torchbearer at the Salt Lake City Olympics.
González qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics, at the age of 47. He told reporters that Vancouver 2010 would be his last Olympics, since the death of the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili gave him perspective on the sport.[3]
Gonzalez is the author of "The Courage to Succeed," "The Inner Game of Success," "Fight for Your Dream," "Dream, Struggle, Victory," "Success Secrets for Teens," "How to Get Where You Want to Be," "Launch Pad," and "The Shortcut." His books teach universal success principles that apply in sports, business and life.
His bestselling books have been translated to over 10 languages and sold over 300,000 copies around the world.
González has been a professional motivational keynote speaker since 2002. Gonzalez has spoken for over 100 of the Fortune 500 companies about developing mental toughness, attitude, and the principles that lead to success in business and in life.
Because of his copier-sales background, he's a sales speaker at many corporate sales kickoffs.
Ruben's TED Talk, "The Power of Following the Leader" has over a million views.
González is a frequent media guest on success principles, peak performance, leadership, change, sales and mental toughness. He's appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN and more. His articles have been published around the world.
He now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he continues his work as a professional keynote speaker.