"Ben's academic and athletic success make him an excellent choice for a speaker. His determination to come back from a serious injury and make the Olympic team is a testament to his character and drive to succeed. He is atop the list for future speaking engagements."
"Ben's graciousness and willingness to dedicate himself to representing Taglit-Birthright Israel as the official 200,000th participant really made a lasting, positive impression on everyone he met, from billionaire business legends to college kids and disabled veterans. He consistently delivered on his top message points and has been a great ambassador for the program. On a more personal note, as a deeply patriotic person who followed Ben in Beijing months before meeting him, it was a thrill to work so closely with someone who has represented the United States of America so wonderfully over the past several years. Our agency knew he was great on paper and in the pool, but as we have gotten to know him he has exceeded our (admittedly high) expectations every step of the way."
"Ben is a wonderful ambassador for the sport of swimming. He is incredibly authentic in his messaging and as a successful athlete and person, he is an ideal role model for our young athletes. Also, having acquired his swimming background at a local Boys & Girls' Club, Ben has the unique ability to relate to kids on a very real and accessible level."
2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, 4x100 Freestyle Relay
3-Time World Champion
2-Time U.S. National Champion
20-Time All American
2007 PAC-10 Swimmer of the Year
12-Time PAC-10 Champion
ESPN The Magazine University Division Player of the Year, 2007
Stanford Al Masters Award (Stanford's Highest Athletic Honor)
American Record Holder, 50 Free
Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco
Born On: September 21, 1984
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Resides: Menlo Park, CA
Education: Stanford 2007: B.S. Biomechanial Engineering; University of California-San Francisco Medical Student
Height: 6'4
Since earning Olympic gold, Tobriner has enrolled in medical school at the University of California -San Francisco. A bio-mechanical engineer at Stanford University, Tobriner was a Rhodes Scholar finalist, an academic All-American and was awarded the high honor of the NCAA Top VIII, which is given to the eight best student athletes in the country. Academic Achievement
As a scholar student, a World Championship swimmer, a community activist and man of faith, many had long considered Ben Wildman-Tobriner a ‘golden boy’. The Olympic swimmer made the title official in Beijing this summer as he won an Olympic gold medal as part of the world record setting 400m freestyle preliminary relay for the United States.
As an ambassador of the Olympic movement, Wildman-Tobriner is passionate about sharing his success story through speaking engagements and corporate partnerships. He works closely with Hilton Hotels and Speedo and regularly speaks on overcoming adversity, faith-based lifestyles and balancing his education, training and commitment to community. His unique story has been featured on Inside Edition and FOX Business, as well as in numerous other publications and broadcasts across the country and the world.
Medical Challenges
Most world-class athletes live their whole lives training for the Olympic Games: Wildman-Tobriner only had 100 days. In December of 2007, just six months out from Olympic Team Trials, the National Champion swimmer tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights. The diagnosis is generally nine to 12 months, but for Wildman-Tobriner, that was not an option. Able to stroke with one arm with three and half months until Trials, he got back in the pool. Dr. Rick Eagleston, a physical therapist for Stanford University referred to Wildman-Tobriner as an “example to other people with similar problems on how to focus on the positive and focus on a goal.
Wildman-Tobriner has used his experience from the injury to help motivate others to overcome obstacles. Stanford University regularly uses him to address incoming students and parents because of his unique motivational message. His experiences in Beijing and his trials leading up to the Olympics give him inimitable and powerful speaking points.
Even with the significant injury, the goal was Olympic gold after cementing his place as one of the top young swimmers in the world. With his stunning victory in the 50-meter freestyle at the World Championships in March 2007, Ben Wildman-Tobriner gained recognition as a new threat in swimming’s most exciting race and the “Fastest Swimmer in the World.”
Community Involvement
Growing up in San Francisco as a member of the Boys and Girls Club, Wildman-Tobriner has looked to give back to the organization that gave him the opportunity for success as a young age. He worked with Hilton Hotels, one of his dedicated sponsors, to help raise money to upgrade the swimming facilities at his hometown pool. The Olympic gold medalist believes that every child, regardless of income, should have the opportunity to have a high-quality education and to learn to swim and compete.
Judaism
Wildman-Tobriner grew up in the Jewish faith, attending the Congregation Sherith Israel in northern San Francisco. His faith has been a major part of his life and has significantly impacted his swimming career. He grew up idolizing Jewish-American and Olympic legend Mark Spitz, and looks to follow a similar path in translating Olympic success into an opportunity to share his ideal, which include hard-work, commitment to community and a faith-based lifestyle.
In December 2008, Wildman-Tobriner was honored as the 200,000th participant with Taglit Birthright Israel. Within this position, he spoke to attendees at the Mega Event on January 1, 2009 in Jerusalem. He has appeared on FOX Business speaking about his commitment to engaging Jewish youth in the community, and has been featured in Jvibe Magazine.
