One year ago 33 Chilean miners were one day away from being rescued after being trapped underground for seven weeks. One of those miners is in Reno preparing to talk to students and community leaders about his ordeal and how he survived.

What a difference a year can make.

Just ask Mario Sepulveda.

Spending the morning with horses, last year at this time he was 2300 feet underground with 32 fellow miners counting the moments until they were rescued.

"Just sadness. We were going to leave our mates and that was going to be the farewell and be outside,” says Sepulveda.

Mario would be the second miner pulled from the ground. He would carry with him rocks from down below and hand them out as souvenirs. He hugged his rescuers and lead them in a chant.

The media called him Super Mario as his humor and positive attitude helped him and others get through literally the darkest moments of their lives.

What kept him going?

“The good humor--good sense of humor and the love of my children,” says Sepulveda.

What he learned about himself and others around him is a message he refuses to keep to himself.

His visit to Reno is part of his world-wide motivational tour, where he wants to spread the word of hope and appreciation—it’s specifically targeted toward university students.

“if we get to make changes n the heart of a student, we can actually drive change in this world, positive change,” says Sepulveda.

Sepulveda will be speaking at 7 pm Tuesday night at the Davidson Science Building Auditorium

The event is open and free to the public.

To find about more about Mario Sepulveda go to:

www.mineromariosepulveda.cl