About Me:

I’m Scott Martin — a longtime soccer coach, educator, and author of Play From Your Heart, an inspirational memoir offering a positive story in negative times. My life took a sharp turn while I was leading a nationally ranked college soccer program: in the middle of that success, a sudden, life-threatening illness resulted in the loss of my hands and feet. That moment didn’t just change my body; it redefined how I understand resilience, purpose, and rebuilding when everything familiar is stripped away.

I spent more than 30 years coaching at the youth, high school, and college levels, earning four Coach of the Year awards, leading multiple teams to state championships, and learning from top coaches in the U.S. and abroad. But after running head-first into the brick wall of depression, I stepped away from college coaching — a decision that opened the door to raising what became five adopted children from Romania and Ethiopia.

When my youngest entered high school, I returned to the field to coach a ragtag group of 3rd-level 12-year-olds I proudly called my Soccer Rats. After gaining confidence and learning to play as a team, that scrappy crew put together an unexpected, undefeated run to a state championship — proof that the pendulum of life can swing back in your favor.

If your show explores resilience, adversity, disability, or how sports shape character, I’m always up for a conversation.