Biography

Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. Travis’s New York Times bestselling memoir, Tough as They Come, is currently available on sale in bookstores everywhere. Despite losing portions of both arms and legs from an IED while on active duty in Afghanistan, Travis continues to overcome life’s challenges, breaking physical barriers and defying odds. Travis lives by his motto: “Never give up. Never quit.”

On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.

Thanks to his amazing strength, courage, an incredible will to live, the heroic actions of the men in his unit, the prayers of thousands, and all the healthcare providers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, near Washington D.C., Travis remains on the road to recovery. Every day is a battle, but Travis continues to astound friends and family alike with his progress and with his amazing spirit.

In September 2013, Travis and his wife Kelsey founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist post 9/11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation. The veteran and their families receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation to Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s great outdoors.

The Travis Mills Group LLC was started shortly after, where Travis consults with and speaks to companies and organizations nationwide inspiring all to overcome life’s challenges and adversity.

Travis’s story has been featured on local and national news including Fox News’ Happening Now with Jenna Lee, The O’Reilly Factor with Bill O’Reilly, CNN with Barbara Starr, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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Never give up. Never quit.

Travis Mills’ signature keynote speech inspires audiences worldwide to “Never give up. Never quit” - no matter what. Life if full of hidden bombs, and no one knows that better than Travis. Despite the devastating nature of his personal journey, his larger-than-life personality, sense of humor and incredible spirit engages audiences from the moment he takes the stage.
On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five servicemen from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ever to survive quadruple amputee injuries. Thanks to his amazing strength, courage, an incredible will to live, the heroic actions of the men in his unit, the prayers of thousands, and all the healthcare providers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Mills has learned to thrive…and he has inspired millions while doing so.

Testimonials

I don’t know where to start but in short, Travis was nothing short of phenomenal at our event!! … If you are considering Travis, stop what you are doing and sign him up now.
– TODD ANDERSON, Pictometry
Travis is one of the most inspiring and encouraging stories of our generation!
– JEN ALLEN, Lockheed Martin Corporation
We expected a good talk that highlighted his injuries and time at Walter Reed Hospital. What we received was so much more…
– MATTHEW BOLTON, Quinnipiac University
Travis is a terrific public speaker, who fluctuates between humor and sobering sincerity.
– STACY TAYLOR, Open Hearts Foundation
Travis taught us all two very important lessons that day. Number one- you can only move forward in life and it’s critical to stay positive. Number two- anything in life is possible as long as you never give up and you never quit.
– KIM BLISS, Hendricks Holding Company Inc.
Incredibly inspirational, motivational and exceptional communication by an amazing (and awesome) patriot who in forty five minutes captivated our audience with a resounding and powerful message.
– RAOUL QUINTERO, Quintero Group
Travis is a captivating speaker with an amazing life's story. He has taken bravery and perseverance to levels that most of us could not even imagine.
– GERALD RAYMOND, Tully Rinckey PLLC
He engaged the audience from his opening comment to the close. His messages on leadership, perspective, and goal setting were inspiring & memorable.
– MONTE SORENSON, Bayer CropScience
I can honestly say that while his story is one of inspiration and a true American hero even more compelling is his ability to connect with his audience. I have seen near a hundred motivation speakers over the years and there are only a few I found that come across so genuine and as comfortable as a speaker as he.
– STEPHEN JAMES, Mortenson Family Dental
He made us laugh, he made us cry. His story of resilience, the power of the positive, and humility moved our group. He challenged the thought processes and attitudes of everyone in the room and gave them the perspective they needed to take on their own challenges in their personal or professional lives.
– NAN PUM, M3 Insurance

Booksby Travis Mills

Tough As They Come

Blog Posts

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

Explore how former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao’s experiences in space unlock insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience for teams on Earth.

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The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Find out how event personalization, AI-driven insights, and interactive storytelling are revolutionizing keynote speeches with business futurist Greg Verdino.

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The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a shift that happens the moment someone laughs. Shoulders loosen. The room lightens. The noise of the outside world fades just...

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Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Discover Wendy Porter’s proven WPE Planning Process for crafting live, virtual, and hybrid events that foster genuine connections, boost engagement, and drive ROI.

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The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because inclusion is no longer a box to check; it’s a culture to create. From boardrooms to classrooms, arenas to virtual...

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AI, Brain Science, and Resilience with Sarah Baldeo

Expand your mind on how AI, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence converge to rewire resilience and drive growth with TED speaker Sarah Baldeo.

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Blog Posts

 

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

In the boundless vacuum of space, leaders face challenges that dwarf anything encountered on Earth....

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The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Imagine a keynote at your next event that feels designed just for your audience—where every...

Read More

The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a...

Read More

Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Imagine stepping into an event where every detail is designed to foster genuine human connection—from...

Read More

The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because...

Read More

AI, Brain Science, and Resilience with Sarah Baldeo

Imagine harnessing the power of AI (artificial intelligence) together with cutting-edge insights from technology and...

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