Jose Rene Martinez

J.R Martinez (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=jr+martinez+book&hl ())

"I wouldn't change anything...absolutely anything!" J.R. says. "I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm extremely grateful for that day because it led me into this life" (J.R. Martinez). Jose Rene Martinez was a well-rounded person who could accomplish almost anything he wanted with his life. In high school he was thought handsome by all of the girls while also being an active participant on the football team. Later he acquired an injury that prevented him the chance of playing college football as planned. Resorting to the army eventually sent him on a path that would lead him to discover events occur for a reason, never by coincidence. Before Martinez began to endure a deployment to Iraq in 2003, he made a promise with his mother he would return for her. Promises were tested while Martinez and his team were progressing through an Iraqi desert accidentally setting off a landmine. This was a moment that would leave Martinez inhibiting scars on his body and mind for a lifetime. While recuperating from his burns he slipped into a period of depression, anger and regret. His mom navigated him out of this darkness by sharing some motherly advice, which was the turning point for the rest of his life. He then shared his story with a neighboring patient who was also struggling with a condition. The man that he helped found his path to happiness with Martinez's guidance, and he realized how rewarding it felt to be able to empower someone to create a change, in his or her life. He realized why he was handed a second chance and this patient set a precedent for many to come. For all of this to occur, he had to possess positivity and self-respect if he wanted to leave his mark in the world. Martinez's positivity enabled him to have a career as an inspirational speaker while his self-confidence allowed him to become an actor in a soap opera called, "All My Children." Martinez is a courageous, positive, self-confident man who applied his hardship to aid him in his calling of motivating others to find their hope amidst a sea of obstacles.

Humvee (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=humvee&hl=en&safe=a (Truckin))

Martinez has gone through problematic experiences in his life, and one of those could have meant the end; however, with his courageous mentality he has moved past his inferior days. One of these happenings occurred midst his deployment in Iraq at 19 years old when Martinez and his team came upon an undetected landmine, which altered Martinez's body and spirit forever. During this horrific encounter, he brought to mind the meaningful people in his life and he knew he had to remain tenacious for them. "He was comforted by the image of his sister, Anabelita, who had died years earlier, but told him that he could not give up hope because their mother needed him" (J.R. Martinez). Being around the corner from death the thoughts and spirit of his deceased sister Anabelita, who helped console his heightened emotions while going through this traumatic phenomenon, kept him sane. He also recalled the promise he had made, and he intended to preserve it since he has always been the only son and man in the household since his dad left. Martinez was the only one left trapped in the Humvee while it was burning, so he felt full force how badly it seared his skin while sitting helplessly. "'Then I felt my face burning and I was going through a tremendous amount of pain.' Martinez fought to stay alive until medical help arrived" (Gale Biography in Context). His fighting courage proves he did not want to abandon life because he knew he had a shinning future ahead of him and if he just fought on he could possess the chance to attain his life's goals. Courage is a gift certain people possess all of their lives, while others give up on courage and never have the strength to keep it. Martinez is one of those fortunate people who constantly use's this trait for making everyday more amazing than the one before.

Martinez unveiled to the world that a positive outlook could impact you to accomplish ample things in the destined future. This is how Martinez got to where he is today with motivational speaking, dancing and acting. "I started looking at what happened to me as a blessing" (J.R. Martinez). With this way of thinking Martinez could be anything and do anything he desired. He knew the scars he inhibits on his body would affect the way he lives, but he elected for it to affect him in a way different from most people. His positivity has led to other's well-being because he helps showcase the beauty and promise in life if you commit to living it wisely and non-negatively. When someone is 19 and a burn victim you would not presume for them to be mature enough to see past their scorched appearance, but he has proved those people wrong. "When I got hurt and saw my face for the first time, that's when the real war began, because I had to start battling with this new image I had been given." Martinez added, "I look at it this way: 19 years after I was born, I died to be reborn as a better person. I am ten times a better person than I was before" (J.R. Martinez). Instead of being scared for life, he was given a second chance at it, so he has now evolved from his youth and is grasping life as it comes both with seriousness and happiness. Positivity was the force that kept Martinez's mind from going mad from his own self -pity, and it continues to direct him along the path of success.

His possession of self-confidence, past and present, was and is the key to his widespread triumphs with people including himself. At first the burns were like a soul crusher to 19- year old Martinez, but his mom did what moms do best and gave what she could to contribute to his recovery, wise words. "His mother helped change his perspective by pointing out that it was what was on the inside that was important, not what was on the outside" (Gale Biography in Context). His personality and his mother are both involved in the saving of his soul. If it wasn't for his mom I don't think he would have chosen the path he is now on. If Martinez was not confident he would not be able to talk in front of huge groups at a time and he would not end up an inspiration that caused change in people. "Since then, J.R. has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker, traveling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism. He has discovered it is what is inside a person that matters most and devotes himself to showing others the true value in making the most of every situation." (Gale Biography in Context). All around the country communities of people with the same issue as Martinez deal with the subconscious thought of what others will think of them because of how they appear. Self-confidence has saved them from feeling miserable and alone. Martinez used what was on the inside to make invisible what is shown on the outside.

J.R Martinez (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=people+jr+Martinez+ (ABILITY Magazine))

Martinez's positivity has paved the way to a great career in inspiring others to morph their lives into something more rewarding. His life can be compared to a crazy roller coaster. ".Though Martinez had essentially recovered, he still faced health challenges of his own. Overall, however, Martinez believed that the injuries changed his life for the better" (J.R. on the Dr. Oz Show). First he had his downs with the accident in Iraq, but his life turned for the better once his mother and the patient in the hospital gave him hope and determination for future choices. Martinez was a normal 19 year old who should have been enrolled in a college. Instead, he became a severe burn survivor who added brightness to other lives, but he had to first start with his. Martinez is an inspiration because he has shed a light on how valuable life is. He has showed if you get a second chance at life you should make it count. Martinez made it count by inspiring many communities to dedicate time to help aid in the lives of those who have not been so lucky. I became inspired by Martinez's ability to look out for others while also caring to his needs. Since he had the courage to get up and share his experience in front of others even with the consciousness of his burns, it should make everyone feel like anything and everything is possible.