Full of Heart

Guest Bio: J.R. Martinez

J.R. Martinez is an actor, motivational speaker, army veteran and author. His book Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit, published by Hyperion was out on October 30th. It has already made the New York Times Best Sellers List.

This past year has been quite something; not only did he and his dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, take ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" season 13 coveted mirror ball trophy, he was also named the 2012 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal. J. R. was the November 7 cover of People Magazine, was featured in their Sexiest Man Alive issue and one of the magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People of 2011. Many awards and honors have been bestowed upon him including: Unsung Hero Award at the Lady in Red Gala; The American Motivation Awards Person of the Year; An Ivy Award for his work on behalf of the disabled in the entertainment community; recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his dedication and passion to serving and inspiring those around him and the 2012 National Red Cross Spirit Award. He was the recipient of the 2012 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award at their national convention this past August and he also received the 2012 California DAV of the Year Award. J.R. recently guest starred on Lifetime's "Army Wives," as a physical therapist in the season finale. He played 'Brot Monroe' on the Emmy Award winning daytime drama "All My Children." In true Hollywood fashion, he was encouraged by a friend to go on the open casting call that AMC put out for a veteran to join the cast. After several meetings with producers he was cast and an actor was born. Due to his popularity, what started as a three month story arc, developed into a three year stint. His role as an injured Iraq combat veteran mirrored his own life. AMC ended its 41 year run on ABC September 2011. He is featured in the documentary "Trial By Fire: Lives Re-forged." In addition to acting, J.R. has become a highly sought after motivational speaker, traveling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism. He devotes himself to showing others the true value of making the most of every situation. He is called on by a wide-range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits, schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins and Evangelist Dave Roever. He is a spokesperson for Operation Finally Home, an organization that builds mortgage free homes for disabled veterans. He was a judge for Dr. Jill Biden's and First Lady Michelle Obama's Joining Forces Community Challenge that recognizes organizations who support veterans and he is involved with Phoenix Society for burn survivors, Iraq Star and the USO.

J.R was featured on Katie Couric's 2011 ABC Special "The Year," and he narrated the CNN documentary series,"In America: Vets Wanted?" He has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and The New York Times and has appeared on Access Live, Entertainment Tonight, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, The View, CNN, FOX News, Good Morning America, Univision, and other major national outlets.Jose Rene Martinez was born June 14, 1983 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Maria Zavala. His two sisters, Consuelo and Anabel were raised in El Salvador with his mother's family. Anabel died as a toddler before he ever met her. At nine years old J.R. moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas where he lived until he was 17 and then he moved to Dalton, GA, a place he proudly calls his hometown. J.R. always loved playing football and had aspirations of becoming a pro football star even though he was injured his junior year playing with the Bobcats in Hope. During his senior year he played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts and they went to Georgia's State Championship. After high school he joined the army. J.R. was proud to serve, as a way to give something back to a country that had already given so much to him and his family. In September of 2002, J.R. underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he gained skills as an 11-B Infantryman. After reporting to Fort Campbell Kentucky in January of 2003, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq, and on April 5, less than a month into his deployment, he was serving as a driver of a Humvee in Karbala, when his left front tire hit a roadside bomb. Three other soldiers with J.R. were ejected from the burning vehicle, but he was trapped inside and suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body. J.R. claims that while he was fighting for his life and awaiting medical help in Iraq, his sister Anabel, appeared to him, giving him the strength to live.After he was pulled out of the Humvee, J.R. was evacuated to a local medic station in Iraq and then to Landstuhl, Germany, for immediate care. He was eventually sent to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months in recovery and underwent 33 different surgeries including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.

During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximate 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain letting light in his room and his heart. J.R. then understood the impact he had on this patient and decided to use his experience to help others, visiting with several of the patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs.While J.R.'s experience was certainly life-changing, amazingly he claims this is actually a change for the better. "I discovered it is what is inside a person that matters most and I wouldn't change anything...absolutely anything!" states J.R. "I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm extremely grateful for that day because it led me into this life!" When he does have leisure time J.R. likes to spend it with his family, friends, girlfriend Diana, their daughter Lauryn Anabelle and his black lab. He resides in Los Angeles, CA.