Through [iX3]sports, I have been fortunate to have connected with a number of very inspirational, engaging people who have successfully integrated their minds, their bodies, and most importantly, their spirits in pursuit of their dreams. Ruben Gonzalez, "The Lugeman," is right at the top of that list. At 21 years old, Ruben decided that he was going to go to the Olympics. Not only did he decide he was going to the Olympics, he was going to represent the United States in the luge. At the time Ruben lived in Houston, Texas and had never seen a luge sled or track in person, in his life. But that was his dream.

Four years later, Ruben competed in the Calgary Winter Games luge competition. He subsequently made two other Olympic teams, the most recent being the Salt Lake City Winter Games at 39 years old. Ruben is currently seeking to make his fourth United States Olympic luge team for the upcoming 2010 Games. Ruben took time away from his training and speaking engagements to talk about dreams and what is necessary to make dreams real.

One of my strongest beliefs is that our dreams underscore, become the foundation, of our reality. I believe your story of becoming an Olympian is an example of just that. What were your feelings as you were on the path to seeing your dreams become real? Were you aware at the time that your dreams were coming true and did you ever take time to step away and just say, "Wow?"

"I was in awe and excited every step of the way. First time I received luge camp information from Lake Placid (where the track was). First time I was walking down Main Street Lake Placid (where the 1980 Olympic athletes walked). First time in the Olympic Training Center. First luge run… etc. I knew I was on my way to achieving my dream. Goosebumps and excitement throughout.

Watch 'The Rocker' it’s a terrific comedy about chasing your dream. There’s a part where Rainn Wilson is on his first gig (in front of about 20 people in a dive) but he’s loving it cause he’s on the way to the big dream.

When you’re in the hunt. In the pursuit of the dream. In the trenches, making the sacrifices, you don’t even have to step away to say WOW. Its WOW 24/7."

I love this quote of yours, “If you will trust the process, fall in love with the process, and consistently and persistently work the process, you will realize your dream.” When you first set the goal of becoming an Olympian in the luge, you had no experience in the event at all and I think that is the case with many folks who have a dream, but do not know where to begin. How did you get the process going and when did you know that you had "fallen in love with the process?"

"You find someone who’s done what you want to do. You humble yourself to their leadership. You do whatever they say is necessary to reach the dream. They know. They’ve been there. You do whatever it takes for however long it takes to reach the dream. And you constantly focus and think about the dream. After a while. You fall in love with the process because you realize it’s the short cut to your dream."

During any journey, you are bound to encounter some difficulty and setbacks. You have written that one of your learning's along the way to realizing your dreams is, "Don't quit too soon. Give yourself a chance to learn the skills that you need." Is there a specific event or two along your journey that led you to realize that there were more steps, more skills to acquire than you imagined before you began?

"You have to write your dreams in concrete and write your plans in sand. You always have contingency plans – backup plans, for when things don’t work out like you intended. That’s why a coach who’s been there is so important. They are your guide through the adventure."

You speak about the importance of having mentors and coaches in your talks. Your coaches and mentors have clearly inspired you to reach out and mentor others. What was it about your relationship with them that motivated you to want to create similar relationships?

"It’s never been about the relationship. It’s always been about finding someone who had done it and who could help me do it too. You don’t even have to like your coach. But you should respect them and be willing to do everything they say.

I’ve never had a strong relationship or close relationship with any of my coaches. I think its better that way. For me at least, I think that having a Sergeant to Soldier relationship is the best.

If I was too chummy with my coach or if the coach did not have a strong enough personality, I might not have worked hard enough to make it. But that may just be me…"

For me, belief in your dreams requires faith, but faith not in what you know about yourself, instead faith in what you hope become along the way. Does that thought match your experience during your journey?

"Sure. In order to motivate you to do the work, your dream has to be huge. It has to take your breath away. It has to be bigger than you. Therefore, the dream must require that you grow as a person to reach it.

It has to be out of reach but not impossible to reach. You have to believe that you have what it takes to grow into the type of person who can achieve the dream. If it’s too far out, you won’t even try."

You are looking to make another Olympic team in 2010. What is different about this attempt? Are the challenges the same or has time provided some new twists and turns as it were?

"The challenges are different. Some things are easier and some are harder.

The easy things:

I’ve done it before so I know what it takes. That gives me a lot of confidence. I know what I need to do. I already have relationships with people that can help me so I just had to get the band back together. Coaches, trainers, sled mechanics, etc. I’m not broke this time around. Before I put everything on my credit cards. Got $50,000 in debt at one point. Took me 5 years to pay off the 2002 Games. This time I’m paying everything cash. I’m staying at better hotels. Have a personal trainer. Etc. I know how to take care of my body better. I know how to prevent injuries because I’m one step ahead of them. I’m more relaxed on the sled. I’m sliding better than ever because I’m focusing on the right things. (See attached article). I’m more mature as a slider.

The hard things:

I can only take about 3 runs a day max otherwise my injuries flare up. Everyone else slides about 6 times a day. I have to visualize my runs more since I’m sliding less. I’m having to use different coaches in every track because I don’t have a full time coach. I’m sliding better than ever but the field is stronger than ever because there are many new countries in the circuit. Top 50 men used to make it to the Olympics. Now it’s top 40. It’s a tougher row to hoe. At first the people who rule the sport would not even let me compete. They said I was too old and had been away from the sport too long. I had to prove myself to them by taking 24 runs at the fastest track in the world. After the 24 runs where I did not break any speed records but did not break any bones either, they said “Welcome back.” There are always naysayers out there. You have to believe in yourself more than the naysayers."

Thank you so much for your time and best wishes through the 2010 Trials!

Ruben Gonzalez is a dream chaser. From his article, Your Focus Determines Your Results, "By the way…..What are you doing about your dreams? Most people spend their lives looking at their dream through a telescope. Anyone can bring their dream into focus through a telescope. Telescopes are safe. They keep hardship at a nice safe distance. But only those who bring their dreams into focus through a microscope are close enough to their dreams to actually touch them." Are you keeping a safe distance from your dream or are you so constantly, so relentlessly focused on them that you can actually touch them?

You can learn more about Ruben on his site, www.OlympicMotivation.com. Ruben's books, The Courage To Succeed and Becoming Unstoppable are available at www.thelugeman.com. Check him out and pick up one of his books. You just might find yourself on your way.