Owen Phillips of Salt Lake City . He finally stepped on a scale, which more or less confirmed what he thoughthe was in the neighborhood of his starting weight on The Biggest Loser, but still wont give up a specific number. [24], On December 31, 2004, Gardner fought Hidehiko Yoshida in a judo vs wrestling mixed martial arts (MMA) bout for the Pride Fighting Championships at an event named PRIDE Shockwave 2004. It has a lot in common with the guy manhandling the steering wheel. Rulon Gardner does not compete after registering for comeback wrestling So hell need yet another implant, but theres just no time during the season. For many high school wrestlers, this will be the pinnacle of their athletic careers, and the moment is treated with that gravity. On the desk he has nothing but a binder, a notebook and a red Powerade Zero Sugar. Its a tragedy, Rulon said, fighting back tears as he stood shirtless, addressing his weight in the season premiere. Getting healthy and keeping the weight down. Part of that, he concedes, was because nothing helped him keep his weight down like wrestling. The finals are a spectacle. The two coaches are animated as their wrestler gets on the scoreboard first, both coaches standing throughout the match. He says Bob wanted to stay in touch and keep helping him live healthier. Rulon wishes they were on the mat warming up already, but he repeats a phrase hes said a few times this week: You cant want it for them. In some ways, this is one of the toughest parts of the job. School was a struggle for Rulon due to a learning disability. Rulon tipped the scale at 474 pounds at the onset of the show, up more than 200 from the 265-pound division in which he competed at the 2004 Olympics. But he also knows hes Rulon Gardner. As a pro boxer, she identified with his wrestler mentality. Nearly a dozen younger members of the team who failed to qualify for States are doing their own drills in one corner of the room. Rulon weighed in at 474 pounds the first week, up from 286 in his Olympic years. Wrestling has taken Gardner to 44 countries. As a member of the 2000 US Olympic wrestling team, Rulon was pitted against Russian legend Alexander Karelin, in what can only be described as a David versus Goliath scenario. He came back to win Olympic bronzethe 2004 games in Athens, leaving his shoes on the mat to indicate his retirement. He talks about his Seven Steps to Success, which are outlined in his autobiography. He jumped anyway. Who was bullied and teased as he. But wrestling was the route Rulon decided to focus on. Then in 2004, despite coming back from life threatening snowmobile injuries, he managed a Bronze at those Olympics. In 2010, Rulon was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. From Sydney to Athens, to a snowmobile accident that resulted in an amputation, to a tumultuous stint on The Biggest Loser, Gardner has had plenty of unique experiences. Little do you know whats coming up in life.. So, how much is Rulon Gardner worth at the age of 52 years old? That was just a small dumbbell shy of 500. But I can't do it 50%. From Allstate telling you to prepare for mayhem, to State Farm handling a series of calamities at Chris Pauls house to Farmers dealing with any nightmare scenario J.K. Simmons can conjure. The harrowing experience cost Gardner the middle toe on his right foot, which he keeps in formaldehyde in a jar in his refrigerator, to remind him of his mortality. Its more of a one-on-two. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman wrestler. Nobody bats an eye as the wrestler shoves gauze up his nostril and his practice partner sprays the mat down with disinfectant. Its about that time, Rulon says. One client leaves and its on to the next one. When Phillies star Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery in late November, he was expected to be able to return by around the All-Star break. Rulon Gardner became the first man to beat Alexander Karelin, who was riding a 13-year unbeaten streak, in international competition when he won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Games. The branch is independent, meaning they can sell policies through multiple insurance companies. He talks to the teammates wholl be there as spectators about letting that experience motivate them for next year. Now, his dark gray, short-sleeve button-down shirt dangles over his belly and hangs out in front of him, unlike the singlets that cling to his body in both the poster and on the book cover. The four state qualifiers pair off. While some of Rulons own wrestlers may essentially be over it, others in the arena are more starstruck by the presence of an all-time great. He closes his eyes and puts a hand over his heart. Perhaps most importantly, in this whole arrangement, is that the company is accommodating of his schedule. While in junior college, he and his first wife lost their daughter in a car accident. He doesnt expect to sleep much tonight. He and Justin were the heaviest team on the ranch. On February 24, 2007, Gardner and two other men survived a crash when a light aircraft he was traveling in crashed into Lake Powell, Utah. The culprit: one of his own wrestlers. Rulon draws on his own experience, knowing what made the best preparation for him before countless tournaments at the highest possible levels. It takes the lower half of his body a little longer to warm up in the morning, and he happened to roll his ankle two or three times yesterday. There were parents with their kids, spouses and siblings. ], Cara Castronuova was a trainer on the show for only one season, which happened to be Rulons. However, she divorced him when he became involved with his first pluralist wife. Hes the keynote speaker. But none of that is to say Talmage and Traycee dont want it. He wont say. Rulon Gardner makes no excuses - Los Angeles Times Due to the physical damage, a saw had to be used to remove his boots. He turns the corner and ditches the Velcro brace on his right wrist. Rulon Gardner finally explains leaving The Biggest Loser After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. He also works as an insurance agent at JRI Insurance in Payson, Utah. That same drive that helped me succeed [in wrestling], is the same drive that helped me survive in the wilderness, he said. Rulon currently serves as the head wrestling coach at Herriman High School in Utah. Its horrifying for me and my family.. But theres also a football signed by John Elway, Steve Young, Warren Moon and some smudged names that are harder to make out.