Five Questions for J.R. Martinez and His New Memoir ‘Full of Heart’
J.R. Martinez’s memoir, Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit (Hyperion, out Tuesday) tackles everything from the Iraq veteran’s war wounds to his triumphant win on Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars. The motivational speaker talks to USA TODAY’s Lindsay Deutsch about the book:
1. Why did you write the book?
What has helped me through my recovery is being open and willing to essentially be an open book myself. I wanted people to see more of me and my life outside of what people know, Iraq and the military.
2. What’s it like being a dad?
We just had our first flight with our baby girl (Lauryn Annabelle Martinez, who is almost 6 months old). She definitely took the whole “New York is a city that doesn’t sleep” thing a little too much to heart. But it’s just so amazing. The love I have for her is so unconditional and indescribable.
Pictured: Television personality JR Martinez arrives at the American Giving Awards presented by Chase held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on December 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for American Giving Awards)
