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

Finding Your Purpose with Small Acts of Kindness

Discover how small acts of kindness can help you find purpose and create a lasting impact in your life and others.

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Take Ownership and Transform Your Life Today

Take ownership of your life with Merril Hoge's inspiring insights on resilience, mindfulness, and breaking unhealthy cycles.

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Reflecting on 2024: Key Insights and Trends for Event Professionals

What were the biggest takeaways from events in 2024, and how can they shape the way you plan conferences in 2025? 📝

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Innovative Insights to Keep Your Event Attendees Engaged

Discover innovative insights and strategies to enhance attendee experience and engagement at your next event.

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Powerful Ways to Unleash Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele

Unleash your creativity with keynote speaker Kyle Scheele expert insights on innovation, leadership, and turning limitations into inspiration.

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Your Event, Their Mission: Elevate Human Rights to Center Stage

Human rights are not just ideals—they're the foundation for building inclusive, empowered, and sustainable communities.

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Blog Posts

 

Finding Your Purpose with Small Acts of Kindness

What does it truly mean to find your purpose? Many people believe purpose is tied...

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Take Ownership and Transform Your Life Today

What’s holding you back from living the life you’ve always wanted? If you’ve ever felt...

Read More

Reflecting on 2024: Key Insights and Trends for Event Professionals

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it's the perfect time to...

Read More

Innovative Insights to Keep Your Event Attendees Engaged

Engaging attendees at an event is no easy feat, especially in today’s fast-paced world where...

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Powerful Ways to Unleash Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele

Creativity is often misunderstood. Some see it as a gift reserved for artists or visionaries,...

Read More

Your Event, Their Mission: Elevate Human Rights to Center Stage

"Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement...

Read More