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Motivational Speaker
Peer Recovery Specialist
& Wellness Coordinator
Advocate
Meet Travis May
A powerful story of despair, faith, redemption, and the ability of the human spirit to overcome any and all circumstances.
"I have had the privilege of watching Travis May speak live several times, first at my company, and then in various other settings. I could not recommend anyone more highly…..”
“Without question, God has touched this man with a special spirit that changes the hearts of everyone who hears his incredible life story…..”
“Travis has the rare ability to be able to give voice to his inner demons as well as his better angels…..”
“I know of no one else who can bring an audience of judges to tears, as well as a group of the most hardened prisoners!”
“The principles Travis teaches have the power to inspire every soul to renew their purpose and live a life of meaning."
"Travis May’s story is more than remarkable...it’s life-changing!!"
​HOW DOES A CHILD BECOME A VIOLENT CRIMINAL BY THE TIME HE IS 16 YEARS OLD?
Imagine you’re five years old, and your mother is taking you school shopping for the first time. She has you try on a new pair of shoes and tells you to put your old ones in the shoebox. She then leads you on a wild chase out of the store, stealing the shoes and narrowly escaping the store security. "Nothing is too good for my baby," she said approvingly. You were scared, you were excited, and you loved your new shoes!
How do you process that at such a young age?
Imagine you are twelve. Your dad is in prison and your gangster uncle is the only male role model in your life. Your uncle takes you to the 7/11 and tells you to wait in his truck. You are afraid because there’s a group of thugs in the parking lot. When your uncle returns and sees your fear, he pulls an Uzi submachine gun from under the seat and tells you not to worry, the Uzi is the “great equalizer”.
Imagine the feelings you have as you are holding that gun for the first time.
Imagine you are 16 years old, homeless, expelled from school and you believe that you'll be dead by 18. It’s the 90’s … the movies and the music have you and your crew believing that your "ride or die" lifestyle is the road to glory. You are in love with the power you feel when you pull your gun. You are bound to die or go to prison." You know you aren't going to prison…….
It’s …"Ride or Die!"
Imagine you are 17 years old, and you are standing in front of a judge. Your “ride or die crew” gave you up, and you have plead guilty to the armed robbery of five fast food restaurants. You had no idea you would be tried as an adult, since you didn’t request a lawyer before you “cooperated.” You are found guilty and sentenced to 165 years in an adult penitentiary with no chance of parole. How do you process that?
Imagine you are 24 years old, and you have been locked up since you were 17. You learn that your final appeal has just been denied and you now have to confront the crushing reality that, no matter how long you live, you will never have another day of freedom. You will die in prison for the stupid mistakes you made at 16 years old.
Travis had to face this hopeless future in 2002.
Travis took part in one of the most daring escape attempts in Virginia's history. Travis was willing to die for a chance at one moment of freedom, the same freedom he so foolishly threw away as a teenager.
It did not go well….
Travis’s thirst for freedom dramatically increased his confinement. He was to spend his next 200 years in solitary confinement, with no chance of parole, at The Red Onion Supermax Prison in Virginia. The remainder of his life would be spent in a tiny cell, where death, madness or suicide were the only ways out of the hole he dug for himself.
Buried alive, in a tomb of madness of his own making, is where the remarkable story of Travis May’s Road to Freedom begins...
Travis spent 5 straight years in solitary confinement from 2004 - 2009. While this is considered inhumane treatment in today’s prison culture, Travis made the momentous decision that, although he could not change his circumstances, he could change himself. He refused to let his hopeless situation drive him to madness or suicide. Instead, he took the very first step of his inner transformation and stopped looking at himself as a victim. When Travis took total responsibility for his inner world, his outer world changed through a set of occurrences that are truly miraculous and unbelievably powerful.
You will never forget the story of Travis May!
TRAVIS TODAY
On his very last day in office, Governor Terry McAuliffe saw it in his heart to give Travis a second chance at life by pardoning him in 2018. Travis wants Governor McAuliffe to know that there are no words to express his gratefulness. Without the pardon, Travis would still be in solitary confinement today.
Travis May is now a totally free man, reunited with his family in Va. Beach, Va. He lives with his partner Erin, and they have two beautiful daughters, stepdaughter Lilly and adopted daughter Harmony. On 8-13-22, Erin gave birth to the couple’s very own son Elias!
Travis May is currently one of the most powerful agents for change in the justice system of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Whether he is speaking to judges, lawmakers, lawyers, prisoners or at-risk youth, Travis is able to connect with his audience in a way that creates an instant bond. Travis is a person who has truly been through the fire. The Travis May story sheds a spotlight on the real issues that our American society wrestles with to this day.The story of Travis May has only just begun. Film clips on this site are from the upcoming documentary"Meet Travis May" that is currently in production.
Join in the Journey!
If you would like to be part of the team that is working to get Travis’s message to the world, please take part in making Travis’s voice heard to as many people as possible. Get with your pastor, school, or workplace and book Travis so you can see Travis in person. Travis counsels, parents, teachers, children, corporations, judges, lawyers, inmates and prison staff.
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Please feel free to contact Travis. He would love to hear from you and promises to do everything in his power to contact you personally.
Services Travis provides:
Speaker - Mentor - Peer Recovery Specialist - Advocate
CURRENT PROJECTS
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Subject of the Documentary Film “Meet Travis May”
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Currently serves on Virginia Department of Corrections Speakers Bureau
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Community Goodwill Ambassador and Wellness Coordinator for DeCroixServices International
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Preferred speaker for Virginia Supreme Court Judges School
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A contributing member for General Assembly of Virginia SB108 representing theperspective of extended solitary confinement
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Keynote speaker and mentor for Virginia Commonwealth Challenge
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Mentor for Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic relations court
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One of the main subjects of the Virginia Department of Corrections' Emmy-Award winning documentary film about the Victim Impact Program that Travis attended while incarcerated
FOLLOW TRAVIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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