“I’m a father, I’m a husband, I’m a Christian, I’m a spokesperson, I’m a Marine.”
After attending Purdue University, Josh was working in corporate America when, like many of us, the events of September 11, 2001, changed his life forever. Something clicked inside him after that fateful day and, two years later, Josh followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2004, at 27 years old, Josh was off to boot camp. And in 2006, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. Then, it all went black.
A bomb exploded under the vehicle Josh was riding in. He woke up five days later to the realization that he had lost two friends and both of his legs in the blast. He spent two years of extensive rehabilitation recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He currently has 32 pins in his hip and a 6-inch screw holding his pelvis together.
Corporal Josh Bleill is now a walking, talking, symbol of hope, using his story to motivate and inspire others. Even with all he’s been through, Josh doesn’t just believe in the American dream. He’s living it.
“It worked out. I’m not going to lie. I worked in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. I travel and do public speaking. The American dream is very possible. Even after something like this, so devastating that I thought things were over, it still worked out,” he said.
“In America, if you keep working and things do go wrong, if you have that drive, it’s well alive. It’s always a possibility.” Josh didn’t just survive. With the help of those around him, he found a way to thrive once again.
“One Step at a Time: A Young Marine’s Story of Courage, Hope, and a New Life in the NFL” follows Josh’s journey from his enlistment then on to active duty in Fallujah, through two years of rehab, and ultimately to his job as the community spokesman for the Indianapolis Colts. Everyone has had that “one bad day”. Josh discovered that life begins when we embrace our bad days and keep going forward, one step at a time. Audience members will be inspired by his undying enthusiasm, infectious joy, and sense of humor.
“Josh is incredibly inspiring. He epitomizes what this award is all about. Through his many public appearances around the country with audiences of all ages, he shares his story and what it means to stay positive in the face of obstacles. He motivates all of us to do the same.”
“Josh was AMAZING! We absolutely loved him, he was one of the highlights of our Conference.
Josh was not only an amazing speaker but he’s just a wonderful person to work with, so easy going and nice and genuine. We loved having him, one of the best speakers we’ve had in years!”
