Sep 6, 2017
Summary & Ideas for Action
Rudy Ruettiger is a motivational speaker and author, and best
known for being the subject of the movie, Rudy. Rudy talks
about anonymous helpers in his life, and the rules he lives by.
Listen in as Rudy talks about his own brand of positivity.
Key Takeaways
[2:33] Despite his small stature, Rudy was a walk-on for the
Notre Dame football team. He first had to meet the academic
challenge of getting into Notre Dame. Playing on the team, he says,
was just a matter of hanging in there and not giving up.
[3:48] Rudy was a little older, having just come out of the
military, and he hadn’t played organized football for years. Rudy
says getting the movie made was as hard as being on the team.
[8:49] Rudy was inspired by Sylvester Stallone, and how he
fought his challenges to reach his dream of making Rocky.
He didn’t listen to negative voices, but surrounded himself with
supporters, and relied on his faith in God to follow the path he
felt to follow. He recalls a moment he shared with Sylvester
Stallone when they met.
[17:08] Eliminate negative people from your life, and be with
people who want to help you. Rudy talks about a bad business
experience that he let go, although it was very expensive to
him.
[21:26] Rudy had a special helper, and knows he would not have
gotten through the tough times without him. He says this person
does not need or want public recognition. It is enough that he was
there when he was needed.
[27:46] Rudy became a motivational speaker, in spite of being “a
terrible speaker.” He just wants to communicate, authentically.
Rudy captivates audiences with a natural connection.
[30:53] Rudy only quits things if he doesn’t believe in them.
It’s energy and time wasted to pursue things that are out of line
with your values. Rudy does what he does, because he loves it.
[35:03] The Rudy Foundation is run by Rudy’s ex-wife, for youth.
Rudy’s legacy is to inspire people to do what they love, and to
persist.
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Rudy:
My Story, by Rudy Ruettiger and Mark Dagostino
Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life, by Rudy
Ruettiger
Rudy's Rules for Success: How to Reach Your Dreams, by
Rudy Ruettiger and Mike Celizic
Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions: Choices and
Challenges, by Rudy Ruettiger, Cheryl Ruettiger,
Bill Atkinson, and Rebecca Wolfe Atkinson
Rudy & Friends: Awesome and Inspiring Real Life Stories of
Ordinary People Overcoming Extraordinary Odds, by Rudy
Ruettiger
The Rudy in You: A Guide to Building Teamwork, Fair Play and
Good Sportsmanship for Young Athletes, Parents and Coaches, by
Donald T. Phillips, Rudy Ruettiger, and Peter M. Leddy,
Ph.D.
Bio
Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel
“Rudy” Ruettiger, in twenty seven seconds, carved his name into
history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University
of Notre Dame. The son of an oil refinery worker, and third of 14
children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to
the pinnacles of success. Today, he is one of the most popular
motivational speakers in the United States. It took years of fierce
determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy
achieved his first dream — to attend Notre Dame and play football
for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the
quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only
game of his college football career. He is the only player in the
school’s history to be carried off the field on his teammates’
shoulders. In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story
with the blockbuster film, RUDY. Written and produced by
Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh, the award-winning team who brought
us HOOSIERS, the critically-acclaimed RUDY
received “Two Thumbs Up” from Siskel and Ebert, and continues to
inspire millions worldwide.
Today a highly sought-after motivational speaker, Rudy
entertains international corporate audiences with a unique,
passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He reaches school
children, university students, and professional athletes with the
same enthusiasm, portraying the human spirit that comes from his
personal experiences of adversity and triumph. His captivating
personality and powerful message of “YES I CAN” stays with his
audiences forever. Rudy’s opening remarks receive thunderous
applause and standing ovations from audiences of 200 to 20,000
people who emotionally chant RU-DY, RU-DY!
Rudy has appeared on various high-profile nationally televised
talk shows and radio shows across the country, is featured in
national magazine publications, and has been honored with the key
to many cities in the United States, with special proclamations for
his inspiration, commitment, and human spirit. Rudy received an
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, the
Distinguished American Award, A Proclamation from the Governor of
Nevada granting an Official Rudy Award Day, was inducted into the
Speakers Hall of Fame, and spoke at the White House during the
presidencies of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has co-authored
several books, including: RUDY’S INSIGHTS FOR WINNING IN
LIFE, RUDY’S LESSONS FOR YOUNG CHAMPIONS, RUDY &
FRIENDS, THE RUDY IN YOU, and RUDY: MY
STORY. He co-founded the RUDY FOUNDATION, whose mission is to
strengthen communities by offering scholarships in education,
sports, and the performing arts. The Rudy Foundation makes a
positive impact by bringing people together. The Rudy Foundation
develops and supports programs that positively impact the lives of
children cognitively, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The
RUDY AWARDSTM Program was created by the Rudy Ruettiger
Foundation to recognize children who make an outstanding,
exceptional effort to do their personal best everyday, overcome
obstacles, set goals, stay on track to reach their Dreams, and
build the qualities of Character, Courage, Contribution, and
Commitment into their lives everyday. The RUDY AWARDSTM
is about a child’s heart, will to change, and desire for
self-improvement. Rudy has two awesome children: Jessica Noel
Ruettiger and Daniel Joseph Ruettiger.
Email: RudyInternational45@gmail.com
Website: Rudy45.com
Facebook: @RudyInternational
Facebook: @RudyFoundation
Twitter: @RUDYINT45
Twitter: @RudyFoundation
Email list: Facebook.com/RudyInternational/app_141428856257