Friday Jun 11, 2021

Ep. 31 "Never Give Up, Never Quit"-Travis Mills' American Story

Travis Mills is the second of three children, an older sister and younger brother. He was raised in a small town located in Michigan. He had an all American upbringing, playing football, baseball, and basketball. Travis was a star athlete in high school. He was totally unprepared for his role in college football.

Travis' coach placed him on the sidelines, a role he must have excelled in because that is where he stayed most of the time.

Travis decided college was not the right fit for him. The military was the next option. A choice had to be made between the marines and the army. The $24,000 enlistment bonus from the army sealed the deal.

Travis arrived in Afghanistan as a 19 year old kid, standing at 6'3" and eventually weighing 275 pounds. He served in the 82nd Airborne.

While on this first deployment, Travis was introduced to Kelsey through My Space. Kelsey was the 18 year old sister of his medic, Josh. Their first date was Cozumel, Mexico. Travis sets the bar high for first dates.

The two were married shortly thereafter, and settled in Fort Bragg.

Travis served his second deployment, again in Afghanistan. Unlike his first deployment, Travis was involved in fire fights. The stakes were much higher.

After the second deployment, Travis came home and the little family of two became a family of three with the birth of their daughter, Chloe.

Travis' third deployment to Afghanistan changed his life forever. Travis moved up quickly through the ranks. He was an E6 senior staff, in charge of heavy weapons.

On April 10, 2012 Travis was on patrol. The ground was mine sweeped, not once, but twice. It was considered safe. Travis laid down his 120 pound backpack, and an IED exploded.

Travis immediately lost his right arm and leg. They were never found. His left leg and left arm were badly mangled. Travis had seen men with less severe injuries die. Travis declined help as he was sure he was a helpless case.

Against his wishes, four tourniquets were immediately wrapped around Travis' limbs. He remembers his only pain when a sternum IV was administered.

Travis' initial surgery was 14 hours with 9 doctors and 7 nurses. Four hundred units of blood were donated. With an uncertain future, Travis' brother-in-law, Josh, was called to escort him back to the states.

Travis woke up on April 14 as a quad amputee, both legs and arms were gone.

Travis spent 19 months recovering at Walter Reed. Both he and his toddler daughter learned to walk together.

Travis found therapy in making rounds to "recalibrated warriors." He became known as the "Mayor of Building 62."

Travis and Kelsey welcomed a second child, their son Dax.

The Travis Mills Foundation was originally founded as Travis and Kelsey began sending care packages to troops. The organization has morphed into something much larger. The Travis Mills Foundation purchased a facility in Maine, once owned by Elizabeth Arden. The facility caters to veterans and their families, giving them a barrier free experience. The foundation hosts 8 families a week. The goal is 42 weeks with 8 families every week.

Travis Mills is the owner of 4 businesses, one non profit, author, and motivational speaker. His motto is "Never Give Up, Never Quit."

Ep. 31 "Never Give Up, Never Quit"-Travis Mills' American Story

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