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Ever wondered what it might be like to participate in the Olympic Games? Well, Lugeing star Ruben Gonzalez has done it three times, and is working towards his fourth trip to the Olympics!

Planet News reporter Megan Moralice got the opportunity to catch up with Ruben and get first-hand information on what happens in the daily life of a star Olympic athlete!

MEGAN: What is a typical day like for you?

RUBEN: Well, I get up at 5:30 am, then hop on my bike and bike over to the gym. Once I arrive at the gym, I will weight train for an hour, then it’s back on my bike to ride home. When I get home, I will work from my home office the rest of the day, with lots of breaks to play with my 2-year-old daughter.

MEGAN: What exactly is luging, and how fast can you go?

RUBEN: Luging is a sport that is held during the Winter Olympics. In luging, the athletes lie flat on their backs on an aerodynamic sled, hurtling down steep slopes with tight turns. Athletes can reach speeds of up to 95 miles per hour.

MEGAN: How did you get involved in luging?

RUBEN: I have known that I wanted to be in the Olympics since I was in third grade, I just didn’t know which sport to choose. After a lot of research, I decided on the luge. Next I called Sports Illustrated magazine to get more information on the sport, and they directed me to the US Olympic training center. I went to the center to participate in a summer camp, with 14 other athletes. The training was really physically challenging. By the end of the camp, everyone had dropped out but me. Because of my ‘never say die’ attitude, a short 4 years later I made the Olympic squad.

MEGAN: Do you have a strict diet, or can you eat junk food too?

RUBEN: Because I exercise so much, I can eat much more than the average person. I do try to only eat fresh, ‘clean’ foods, and stay away from cookies and junk food.

MEGAN: What advice do you have for kids and preteens who are trying to deal with peer pressure?

RUBEN: God puts a dream in your heart and gives you the tools to make it happen. When dealing with peer pressure, you need to ask yourself: "Is this going to make it easier or harder to make my dream happen?" If the answer is harder, you will say no to the peer pressure. This principle applies to all of the choices you make, as well as the people you hang around with. You have to turn peer pressure around, test the people around you – see if they cast doubt on your dream or not.

MEGAN: What has been your biggest inspiration?

RUBEN: All of the Olympians! They were not afraid to go after their dreams. They are just regular people who didn’t quit, and relentlessly pursued their goals.

MEGAN: How can kids and preteens achieve their dreams?

RUBEN: Write your dream down on a card. Write, "I am going to be _______". Then, on the other side of the card, write three reasons why. Read this card morning and night. Put pictures up around your room which depict your dream. Program your brain to go after the dream, using visualization and all five of your senses. Stay focused. Quitting is not an option – that is something I learned early on, from my dad.

MEGAN: What movies do you like?

RUBEN: Rudy, Rocky, Iron Will, Cool Runnings, Gladiator, Braveheart, and Mary Poppins!

MEGAN: Did you get nervous at the Olympics?

RUBEN: Yeah! If you are not at least a little bit nervous, it means that you don’t care. It was really hard to sleep in between events. I try to overcome nervousness by treating each practice session like it is an actual event, visualizing the crowds and everything.

MEGAN: Do you ever get mad at yourself when you fail?

RUBEN: I do. I get mad when I crash or do not perform as well as I know I can. I know that I could have done better! I am always striving for the best. But I treat failure like a learning experience, and the next time I know I won’t make the same mistake.

MEGAN: What are your favorite Olympic moments?

RUBEN: I love the opening & closing ceremonies. Also, in the Salt Lake City Olympics, I got to be a torch bearer, which was very exciting!

MEGAN: Thanks for talking to us Ruben! Good luck in the next Olympics!

RUBEN: You are very welcome, Megan. Thanks for having me.