New Book: Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit by J.R. Martinez

Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit is the inspiring true story of actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier, J.R. Martinez. Full of Heart chronicles Martinez’s incredible, and uniquely American journey through poverty, hardship, and tragedy, to his rise as a hero and media darling.

The inspiring true story of actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier, J.R. Martinez, Full of Heart chronicles Martinez’s incredible, and uniquely American journey through poverty, hardship, and tragedy, to his rise as a hero and media darling.

Full of Heart is an intimate and inspirational chronicle of J.R. Martinez’s life story. Martinez recounts his childhood in the South as the son of a single mother, a Salvadoran immigrant struggling to make ends meet. At the age of 17-showing the determination and drive that would become his trademark-Martinez convinced his mom to move to Georgia, where Martinez believed he would have a better chance of being recruited to play college football. 


But when Martinez’s football dreams collapsed and he didn’t have the financial resources or grades to attend college, he turned to the U.S. Army and soon found himself serving in Iraq.


In April 2003, at 19 years old, Martinez’s Humvee hit a landmine and he suffered severe smoke inhalation and disfiguring burns to over 40 percent of his body. Martinez was sent to the Army Burn Center in San Antonio, where he spent the next 34 months in grueling recovery. During this time, Martinez shared his experiences with other patients and listened to theirs. 


His fellow soldiers, along with the local and then national media, soon latched onto Martinez’s inspiring personality, leading to a career as a popular motivational speaker, daytime television star, and Dancing with the Stars contestant.


Full of Heart is Martinez’s entire and yet untold story-one that will attract his large fan base, as well as the many others who will find both his life and story utterly accessible and appealing. Martinez’s memoir of triumphing over extraordinary obstacles through pure resilience, optimism, and strength of spirit will inspire legions of people.

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