In 2006, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Gretchen Evans was in charge of 30,000 troops in Afghanistan when she was severely injured in a mortar attack while making the rounds at a remote outpost near the border of Pakistan.

After several days in a military hospital, she woke up after suffering a traumatic brain injury and learned she completely lost her hearing. She was forced to medically retire, ending her highly decorated 27-year military career.

Despite her disability, Evans found a way to run competitively and inspire others to join her. She founded Team Unbroken, a group of adaptive and disabled athletes, who now compete in endurance events around the world.

The team broke down barriers by competing in the World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji, the first team of mixed ability athletes to ever take part in the competition.

Open to both civilians and veterans, part of her mission with Team Unbroken is to bridge the gap between these communities, something she sees as a key to healing.

Outside of endurance athletics, Evans redirected her calling to lead and mentor others through her motivational speaking career, which she parlays into her advocacy for the disabled community. Her life is now fully dedicated to helping others be the best versions of themselves and works every day to bring back purpose

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CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Who is Gretchen Evans
1:50 Mortar Attack at the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border
2:24 The Aftermath of the Blast
3:45 Finding Her New Purpose
4:56 Her First Hearing Dog
5:41 World’s Toughest Race
7:10 Team UNBROKEN
8:00 Bringing Awareness to Disabled Athletes

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