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From Combat to Courage - ESPY Pat Tillman Award Honoree
Gretchen Evans
Decorated Military Veteran, Founder of Team UNBROKEN
- Overcame life-altering injuries to inspire strength and perseverance
- Awarded Bronze Star for valor and heroism in combat and ESPY Pat Tillman Award for service, leadership, and community involvement
- Founder of Team UNBROKEN, the first mix-ability group to compete in The World’s Toughest Race
- Dynamic speaker who motivates audiences to relentlessly pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face
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Gretchen Evans’ story is one of unparalleled courage, resilience, and dedication to service. While serving as a Command Sergeant Major in Afghanistan in 2006, a mortar blast left Gretchen with a traumatic brain injury and severe hearing loss. This devastating experience abruptly ended her 27-year military career, during which she had risen to one of the highest enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army—a remarkable achievement, especially for a woman who joined the military in 1979. With the help of her guide dog and a new "rope team" of friends, Gretchen navigated her way through her changed life to continue her legacy of service with a new mission: inspiring others to overcome adversity and live with purpose.
Harnessing her personal experiences, Gretchen founded Team UNBROKEN, an adaptive athletic team composed of individuals who have faced serious injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. The team made history by becoming the first mixed-ability group to compete in Bear Grylls’ The World’s Toughest Race. Gretchen embodies the power of resilience, teamwork, and the human spirit to push past boundaries. As a gifted motivational speaker, she brings these lessons to life for audiences. Her talks blend riveting stories from her time in combat and her journey to recovery with humor, authenticity, and actionable wisdom. Whether sharing her story with global companies or engaging with intimate audiences, Gretchen’s dynamic energy, compassionate heart, and unforgettable storytelling leave listeners empowered to face their own challenges with newfound courage. She is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.
A decorated veteran, Gretchen Evans is one of fewer than 500 women to have received the Purple Heart, a distinction honoring her sacrifice and bravery during her military service. She was also awarded the Bronze Star for valor and heroism in combat. Gretchen is a bestselling author of Leading from the Front, a memoir that delves into her remarkable military career and her life post-injury. In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious ESPY Pat Tillman Award for Service, a testament to her enduring impact. Audiences leave her presentations not only moved by her journey but equipped with insights and inspiration they can apply to their own lives—proof that even in the face of immense hardship, the human spirit is truly unbroken.
Unbroken: Turning Adversity into Strength. Gretchen Evans shares her powerful story of resilience, from surviving a devastating combat injury to finding purpose and leading others through life's challenges. In this inspiring talk, she speaks on grit, determination, and persevering through loss. She introduces the concept of building a "rope team"—a network of trusted individuals who support and uplift you in your toughest moments. Audiences leave inspired and equipped with actionable tools to overcome their own obstacles and rediscover hope, healing, and strength in their lives.
