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 com