Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
"My new uniform are my scars. My new weapon are my words."
Actor, best-selling author, and U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez delivers a hilarious and deeply moving keynote address at the University of North Dakota. While many know J.R. for his recovery after suffering severe burns in Iraq, or for his time on Dancing with the Stars, this speech dives deep into the 19 years of life before his injury.
In this talk, J.R. uses humor as a shield and a bridge—sharing the laugh-out-loud story of constantly being mistaken for the singer Seal—while seamlessly pivoting to profound lessons on childhood adversity, identity, and the power of breaking out of your "comfort zone boxes."
In this speech, J.R. Martinez covers:
Redefining Service: How he transitioned from a military uniform to a life of service through storytelling.
The "Seal" Story: A funny look at mistaken identity and how he learned to lean into awkward moments with humor.
The "Throwaway Kid": Overcoming the stigma of a difficult childhood and refusing to let others lower his expectations.
Inviting the Blessing: The powerful lesson his mother taught him about smiling through adversity.
The Boxes of Life: A visual analogy for expanding your comfort zone and taking risks (like his move to Georgia at age 17).
About the Speaker: J.R. Martinez is an American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier. After sustaining severe burns to over 34% of his body while serving in Iraq, J.R. turned his recovery into a journey of advocacy. He is known for his role on All My Children and for winning Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars.
#JRMartinez #Resilience #Motivation #UND #Veteran #Inspiration #BurnSurvivor #Storytelling
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
Twitter: twitter.com/UofNorthDakota
"My new uniform are my scars. My new weapon are my words."
Actor, best-selling author, and U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez delivers a hilarious and deeply moving keynote address at the University of North Dakota. While many know J.R. for his recovery after suffering severe burns in Iraq, or for his time on Dancing with the Stars, this speech dives deep into the 19 years of life before his injury.
In this talk, J.R. uses humor as a shield and a bridge—sharing the laugh-out-loud story of constantly being mistaken for the singer Seal—while seamlessly pivoting to profound lessons on childhood adversity, identity, and the power of breaking out of your "comfort zone boxes."
In this speech, J.R. Martinez covers:
Redefining Service: How he transitioned from a military uniform to a life of service through storytelling.
The "Seal" Story: A funny look at mistaken identity and how he learned to lean into awkward moments with humor.
The "Throwaway Kid": Overcoming the stigma of a difficult childhood and refusing to let others lower his expectations.
Inviting the Blessing: The powerful lesson his mother taught him about smiling through adversity.
The Boxes of Life: A visual analogy for expanding your comfort zone and taking risks (like his move to Georgia at age 17).
About the Speaker: J.R. Martinez is an American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier. After sustaining severe burns to over 34% of his body while serving in Iraq, J.R. turned his recovery into a journey of advocacy. He is known for his role on All My Children and for winning Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars.
#JRMartinez #Resilience #Motivation #UND #Veteran #Inspiration #BurnSurvivor #Storytelling
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
Twitter: twitter.com/UofNorthDakota
