CJ Stewart

CJ uses his unique God-given story to inspire audiences and challenges listeners to overcome battles in their own lives, by taking control of their attitude, effort and outlook on life. CJ is a combat-wounded veteran that takes audiences on an incredible journey from a war zone in Afghanistan to a youth camp in Mississippi. He shares the timeless truth found in the principles that have guided him through war, injury, recovery and now a professional life leader others through difficult circumstances. 

In 2010, while serving as a medic in the 101st Airborne Division on a deployment that would earn the famed "Strike Brigade" its 5th Presidential Unit Citation, CJ was nearly killed during a gunfight by an enemy-fired rocket when insurgents attacked his combat outpost.

Following forty-one surgeries and an eighteen-month recovery at Walter Reed in D.C., CJ was medically retired at age 22. CJ's life was forever changed. Not just from the countless hours or days of suffering physical pain, or even from the mental strain of his world being turned upside down. The change lied in the experience, as CJ chose to live out the truths that have always guided him – especially in what seemed to be his hardest days.

CJ's life code is this:

"I will never quit; I will not accept defeat. When knocked down, I will get up every time. Even if I am alone, I will always fight for what's right, and always with a smile on my face!"

His desire was to hit life head-on with this philosophy, CJ carried out these truths from the hospital bed to the real world. He now shares his life code and perspective with thousands of others through his nonprofit, and military-themed outdoor and adventure camp.

Camp Down Range now serves as CJ's new battlefield. Here, he is helping thousands of teenagers complete what seem like nearly impossible physical challenges, with a mission to transfer their ability to overcome adversity from the obstacle course to their everyday life.

CJ speaks to thousands annually on ownership, the never-quit mentality, living out leadership, a life of service and discovering your sense of purpose, all of which have been etched into the core of who he is today.

CJ has a Master's Degree in Marriage & Family Counseling and currently lives at Camp Down Range with his wife Danielle, his former Occupational Therapist from his days at Walter Reed, their two-year-old daughter Paisley and their two camp dogs, Scout and Trigger.