Motivation - J.R. Martinez

Jose Rene "J.R." Martinez (born June 14, 1983) is an American actor, motivational speaker and former U.S. Army soldier. Since 2008 he has played the role of Brot Monroe on the ABC daytime drama All My Children.

In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq. Following his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.

Martinez was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 14, 1983, to Maria Zavala. He has two sisters who were raised with his mother's family in El Salvador, and his sister Anabel died before Martinez ever had the chance to meet her.Martinez has never met his father.

At nine years old, Martinez moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas. At 17, just before his senior year of high school, he moved to Dalton, Georgia, and played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts. In his senior year, Martinez suffered an injury that derailed his plans to play professional football.

In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the United States Army and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he acquired skills as an 11-B Infantryman. After reporting to Fort Campbell in January 2003, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

In February 2003, he was deployed to Iraq. Two months later, Martinez was serving as a driver of a Humvee when the left front tire hit a landmine; he suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.

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in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn.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 into his room. 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.

http://www.phoenix-society.org/

Since then, J.R. has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker, traveling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism. He is called on by a wide range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits and schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins and Evangelist Dave Roever. In 2008, Martinez was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits. In 2009 Martinez was honored by the non-profit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) with the Veterans Leadership Award, given in recognition of his dedication to our nation's newest generation of veterans. Martinez has been featured in The Washington Post, People magazine, on CNN's Sunday Morning, on TV show 60 Minutes, and other major national news outlets.

In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime drama, All My Children in the role of Brot Monroe. His character also served with the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. Martinez first appeared on the program on Friday, November 7, 2008.

In "All My Children"

Martinez is currently(10/2011) a contestant on Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars on ABC. His dance partner is Karina Smirnoff.

Week #	Dance/Song	Judges' score			Result
		Inaba	Goodman	Tonioli
1	Viennese Waltz/"Breakaway"	8	7	7	Safe
2	Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!"	7	7	8	Safe
3	Rumba/"If You're Reading This"	9	8	9	Safe
4	Foxtrot/Theme from "The Pink Panther"	8	9	9	Safe
5	Samba/"Conga"	9	9	10	Safe
6	Quickstep/"Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago	10	9	10	Safe

J R Matinez's Sister and Mother at "Dancing with the Stars"

J R Martinez with Girl Friend Diana