Ruff Road to Glory

Our guest on this episode is Rich Ruffalo. Rich is a dynamic motivator, author, educator, and internationally recognized athlete who inspires a wide range of audiences everywhere, from children to adults and students to business gurus. Ruffalo is a true role model for all ages. At age 32, Ruffalo lost his eyesight but never lost his“vision.” At the Walt Disney Company/McDonald’s American Teacher Awards, Ruffalo was named both the Outstanding Coach of the Year and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year of 1995. Vice President Al Gore presented the award to him on nationwide television. Ruffalo continues motivating every audience to a high level of inspiration while speaking to Fortune 500 companies, schools, and conventions. In 1994 he was selected as one of five educators from the United States to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. In addition, Ruffalo has won numerous honors and awards for his athletic ability. He is the winner of four different world titles in shot put, discus, javelin, and powerlifting. He has earned 17 international gold medals, won 32 national titles, set 9 world and 15 national records, and has won 13 USA Track and Field Master’s State Titles against sighted competitors. In 1988, the United States Olympic Committee named Ruffalo as the Disabled Athlete of the Year for athletic, civic, and professional accomplishments. He is a three-time winner of the coveted Governor’s Cup Award and winner of the Victor Award, the Academy Award of Sports, as the nation’s most inspirational athlete of 1989. In 1994, he was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Rich is the author of "Ruff Road to Glory" and "The Seven P's to Positively Enhance Performance."