The youngest of nine children, Rulon Gardner was born to Reed and Virginia Gardner on August 16, 1971. Raised on the family's dairy farm, Rulon learned a strong work ethic and developed tremendous strength from his daily chores on the farm.

Rulon's wrestling career began when he was six years old. For one week every year, Star Valley would hold a wrestling camp, which always concluded with a tournament on the weekend. Rulon participated in this camp until he was 12 years old. He began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued with the wrestling seasons until he graduated from the University of Nebraska. After earning his degree in physical education from Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication.

The work ethic Rulon learned from his upbringing would serve him well in his quest for Olympic gold. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, this Greco-Roman wrestler became a true American hero and a household name when he defeated Russia's legendary Alexander Karelin, in what came to be known as the "Miracle on the Mat." After a near-death experience resulting from a snowmobile accident and the subsequent loss of a toe to amputation in 2002, Rulon returned to the mat to win a Bronze Medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Throughout his career, Rulon has been recognized as a superb athlete and role model. Some of the outstanding achievements he as earned include:

• MSNBC "Picture of the Year," 2004 Olympics (2004)
• James E. Sullivan Award "Amateur Athlete of the Year" (2001)
• ESPY Award "US Olympic Athlete of the Year" (2001)
• Jesse Owens Award (2001)
• USOC Sportsman of the Year (2001)
• ESPN Arete Award "Superlative Performance" (2001)
• USA Today's Sports "Best Original Score" (2000)

While Rulon has experienced wins as well as losses in his life, he has never dwelled on the negatives in his life, instead he takes each challenge and uses it as a means to improve his life.