Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez

Natalie du Toit - Qualifies for Beijing Olympics in Swimming despite having lost her leg in an accident 7 years ago.

By the time she was a teenager, South African swimming had its eye on Natalie du Toit. The versatile Cape Town swimmer lit up the pool, setting multiple national age group records in both medley events and dominating many of her races. At 16, she nearly qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics in three events. People sensed great things were in store for the strong, determined swimmer. In 2004, Athens could become her playground. Then in 2001, those plans abruptly changed. Done with morning workout, du Toit eased her motor scooter into Monday rush-hour traffic and headed to school.

Just down the street from her pool, a careless driver exiting a parking lot ran directly into her left leg. The scene was gruesome; the devastation was immediately obvious. “I kept saying, ‘I’ve lost my leg, I’ve lost my leg,’” remembers du Toit. Her teammates rushed to her. Traffic snarled. The scene: total, horrible chaos. A motorcycle policeman racing to the accident crashed headfirst into a truck and had to be airlifted to a hospital. It would have been merciful if du Toit had fainted. But this is a girl who confronts reality without blinking. She stayed awake. At that moment, Natalie du Toit was not in the least preoccupied with her swimming career. But that state of mind would prove to be very temporary.

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These inspiring kids deserve our support!

If courage can be measured;
If dignity can be quantified;
If human achievement can be determined;
Not by speed or strength;
But by character;
Then it’s easy to see who the most amazing athletes really are.

If you are a fan of courage,
If you respect determination,
If you are impressed by grace under pressure,
If you can’t help but share in the joy of victory,
And admire being brave in the attempt,
Then you are already a fan of Special Olympics Washington.

I’ll be speaking for Special Olympics Washington three times this year to help them raise money for their tremendous programs.

Click here to learn how you can help this incredible organization.

Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez
www.TheOlympicSpeaker.com

Gabriela in Midland

Just spoke for 3000 people in Midland Odessa at the “Get Motivated” seminar with Zig Ziglar. I’ve been getting to share the stage with Zig several times a year in front of big audiences for several years now.

Since we homeshool our kids, we have a lot of flexibility with our schedules. Gabriela got a few days ahead in her studies and got to come with me to Midland. She got to hang around with the speakers, get to see how a show is put together, and even got to sit front row center when Daddy was speaking.

How valuable are those life lessons? Would not trade them for the world!

Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez
www.TheOlympicSpeaker.com

My Dad Enjoying the High Seas

I just spoke for some travel agents on a cruise. Spoke to them about the importance of marketing your business. I explained to them that even in the speaking business, marketing is 95% of what I do.

When I speak I’m simply delivering the product. You have to sell it first. I explained to them that I am not in the speaking business. I’m in the business of marketing my speaking services. And they are not in the travel business. They are in the business of marketing their travel agent services.

We took advantage of this opportunity. We got two cabins, brought my wife and the kids, my Dad and Aunt Melinda. My Dad had never been on a cruise. He loved watching the sea.

I’m learning that the more I involve our family in my business trips, the more memories we get to make.

My son Gracen got to celebrate his third birthday on the ship.

Gabriela playing in the Cayman Islands. You can see all the cruise ships in the background.

My wife Cheryl, Aunt Melinda and Gabriela enjoying ordering every entree and dessert on the menu.

Take advantage of every opportunity to make memories with your family.

Make your like an adventure full of great stories…

Olympic Motivational Speaker Ruben Gonzalez
www.TheOlympicSpeaker.com

6-year-old Gabriela brushing her teeth this morning…

The time… 7:21 AM. I heard some noise in our bathroom, grabbed the camera, and caught a great Kodak Moment. Gabriela, our six-year-old Princess, brushing her teeth on her own initiative. That’s right! No one had to tell her to brush her teeth!

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