By DAVID MAYBERRY
Star-Tribune staff writer
There’s finally a book by a prominent athlete that — from cover to cover — is believable. Fittingly, Rulon Gardner wrote it.
Instead of a chapter or more devoted to the tawdriness often highlighted on Sportscenter, this farm boy focuses on what has defined his life.
“There’s the good, bad … everything, “Gardner told the Star-Tribune. “I just hope people let kids read it. It’s not glorious stuff, just a story about an athlete working hard for a dream.”
“Never Stop Pushing “is a 341-page summary of Gardner’s many speeches he gives while on tour. His win over Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Games in Sydney prompted the professional speaking requests that prompted the suggestion for the book.
“Get it in a book, “people told him. “More people need to hear this story.”
While best known for his ‘Miracle on the Mat’ at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Gardner’s book is themed around the ‘Miracle in the Mountains,’ title of the 18th chapter. Recollections from his near-death experience preface almost every chapter, but the details about his misguided snowmobile journey in western Wyoming take up 53 pages of the book.
“Now it’s one of my best experiences, “Gardner said. “I can reflect on it now and see some joy and happiness from that night because I’m here to talk about it.”
So goes Rulon’s rollercoaster of experiences.
Gardner’s faith-, family- and farm-based charisma is undeniable and comes through on each page. He makes it clear from the outset that the driving factor in his life has been and always will be hard work.
“My life has been one of extremes, “he writes, “losing it all, winning it all, never an in-between — from schoolwork to the farm, and our cows, my life, my sudden stumble into fame, or anything else. What works for us country folks, though, is perseverance. We think if you don’t give up, there’s really no way you can lose.”
Which explains Gardner’s Forrest Gump-like life.
Gardner details his learning disability that — if not for his perseverance — would have prevented him from earning a teaching degree from the University of Nebraska,.
“I was just going out to prove that I could do it, “Gardner said. “I had heard it from school teachers, my high school counselor, from the advisor at Nebraska. But education was always more important than any other thing for me.”
He takes readers through his journey to Sydney and his learning the Greco-Roman style … a serious staph infection that kept him out of the 1996 Olympic Trials … wrestling with a broken arm and winning … meeting Pat Tillman before the rest of us knew of either Gardner or Tillman … and losing his best friend Bo, a “chow-husky-retriever mix “Gardner raised since childhood, just days after making the 2000 Olympic team.
Prior to his historic win, Gardner writes, some in the valley said, “It’s not like the whole world’s suddenly going to know who Rulon is now.”
After reading “Never Stop Pushing, “we thankfully know him a little better.
Acting sports editor David Mayberry can be reached at (307) 266-0573 or [email protected]
Book basics
– TITLE: Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medals Stand
– AUTHOR: By Rulon Gardner with Bob Schaller. Said Gardner: “I never really thought I had a story worth telling. I was just working hard.”
– MISC.: Carroll & Graf, 341 pages, $15.95
– IN STORES: Sept. 6.
– GET IT NOW: www.rulongardner.com
Sign here
Rulon Gardner has two book signings scheduled in Wyoming and expects more dates to be announced. “It’s nice to get back and be around people I know, “he said.
– FRIDAY: Star Valley High School, Afton, before and during the Braves’ football game against Shelley, Idaho.
– SEPT. 8: Natrona County Public Library, Casper, 6 p.m. Sponsored by Ralph’s Bookstore.
Bid here
Rulon Gardner will auction his Asics wrestling shoes he left on the mat at the Athens Olympics. “It’s a way for me to give back to wrestling, “he said. “I thought it was something cool to do and a way to continue to show the great aspects of wrestling. Whoever wants to buy ’em, I’m game.”
– ONLINE: Ebay, www.ebay.com.
– KEYWORD: Rulon Gardner.
– WHEN: Bidding has begon.
– OPENING PRICE: $1. Gardner will also personalize the shoes for the winner.
– PROCEEDS: Half of the proceeds go toward USA Wrestling.
Wrestling Gear
