Heritage University welcomes J.R. Martinez to campus as part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 14, 2026. Martinez is a bestselling author, actor, motivational speaker, advocate and wounded U.S. Army veteran whose story of resilience has inspired audiences worldwide.
After suffering severe burns in Iraq in 2003, Martinez endured 34 surgeries and a 34-month recovery before turning his experience into a mission to inspire others. A former star of All My Children and Season 13 champion of Dancing with the Stars, he is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Full of Heartand host of the REBIRTH with J.R. Martinez podcast. His message is one of resilience, optimism and overcoming life’s challenges.