the Learn-It-All™ podcast 268: Start Strong Mini-Series: Four-Time Olympian on the Two Types of Courage That Change Everything | Ruben Gonzalez
What does it take to become a four-time Olympian—when you don’t even pick your sport until age 21? On this electrifying episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon welcomes the unstoppable Ruben Gonzalez: luge athlete, keynote speaker, TEDx phenomenon, and master storyteller. From overcoming repeated failure to redefining visualization as “feelerization,” Ruben Gonzalez shares captivating tales and actionable tools for crushing doubt and charging after big dreams, no matter when—or where—you start.
You’ll get an inside look at what fuels resilience in the world’s most competitive arenas, how to become coachable (even when you’re stubborn), and why passion trumps willpower every single time. Packed with stories of grit, setbacks, and surprise victories, this episode will light a fire under anyone ready to level up, lead stronger, and leap further.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why your internal “bulldog” is more important than willpower or natural talent—and how to find yours
- The incredible true story of how a kid from Argentina went from Olympic superfan to luge competitor in just four years
- The science of belief and how to cultivate the courage to start, and the persistence to keep going
- How to reframe temporary pain and setbacks for long-term growth (and why most people quit too soon)
- The uncoachable athlete’s journey: what it took for Ruben Gonzalez to finally accept feedback and break through to a new level of performance
- Why hanging around winners—and seeking out mentors—is the real shortcut to success (along with practical tips for finding and learning from your leaders)
Timestamps:
00:00 – Ruben Gonzalez on focusing on your dream (not obstacles)
01:11 – Meet Ruben Gonzalez: Olympian, speaker, and unlikely athlete
02:26 – Why belief—not just effort—is the starting line for success
03:13 – Tracing the roots of Ruben Gonzalez's drive and passion
04:05 – “Dream, Struggle, Victory”: Lessons from biographies and childhood adversity
07:44 – The phone call that changed everything—and the power of not quitting
10:00 – Why choosing the hardest path can be the winning strategy
13:08 – Breaking bones and breaking through: surviving the “weeding out” phase
18:23 – How to mentally bounce back from repeated failure (and why most people give up)
20:09 – The secret: Find someone who’s already crossed the minefield
24:41 – How leaders can help teams overcome doubt and believe in themselves
29:41 – Tactics for helping high performers recognize their own greatness
33:58 – Imposter syndrome on the Olympic stage—and how Ruben Gonzalez earned respect
39:10 – Becoming truly coachable: what changed in Ruben Gonzalez's fourth Olympics
44:32 – Don’t waste a failure! Extracting lessons for the next run
47:00 – Visualization vs. “feelerization”—training your brain for peak performance
51:07 – Change as an opportunity: why adaptability trumps resistance
53:25 – Ruben Gonzalez’s favorite biography and lessons from history’s adventurers
58:00 – Harnessing the Rocky mindset: “I ain’t going down again”
59:16 – THE takeaway: Focus on your dream, not the obstacles
About Ruben Gonzalez
Ruben Gonzalez is a four-time Winter Olympian in the sport of luge, a bestselling author, renowned keynote speaker, and TEDx standout with over one million views. Raised in Argentina, Ruben Gonzalez immigrated to the U.S., fell in love with Olympic stories as a kid, and committed to chasing his own dream at 21—despite never having tried his Olympic sport. Against all odds, he transformed dogged perseverance into global achievement, captivating audiences worldwide with his stories of grit, failure, and the courage to believe.
Resources & Mentions:
- olympicmotivation.com –Ruben Gonzalez’ s home base for keynotes, books, and programs
- RubenU.com –Ruben Gonzalez's coaching platform
- Ruben’s LinkedIn
- Ruben's TEDx Talk (referenced as a must-watch for more inspiration)
- Book: The Courage to Succeed by Ruben Gonzalez
- Book: I Could Never Be So Lucky Again by Jimmy Doolittle
- Book: The Shortcut
- Jim Harshaw Jr. Podcast (referenced friendship & podcast
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.