Travis was so excited about building out the short bus he purchased. He was planning to live in it temporarily to be near the Ninja gym he was so close to opening. He worked so hard everyday and never wasted a moment of time. His passion for helping others to move freely and be the best they could be was astonishing. He never said a negative word about anyone. He had hope and love for every human that he came into contact with. After the loss of his father, Travis felt very strongly about stepping into the role of man of our home. Rachel, Travis and I were stunned at the unexpected loss of Anthony and with that, Travis showed up big time. Rachel and Travis were both in college at the time and neither of them missed a beat. He was studying to be a mechanical engineer (his parents wanted it way more than he did) and he was dedicated to finishing to make his parents proud. He never quit on anything he started. That was our motto as a family. If you are going to start it, make sure you finish it. This mama never raised a quitter and he was proving it no matter how much angst he felt in doing something that was not his passion. He knew once he finished he would always be an engineer, but the Ninja in him was not staying quiet. He began doing yoga with Rachel and I. They were quite a sight to watch. Both of them learning to move their bodies and the strength they gained working together learning yoga was beautiful. Rachel finished her master and she too was leaning heavy on personal fitness. So, together they both decided to study and become personal trainers. They received their NASM certification and Travis was lit to use what he learned to help others move and get stronger. His love for martial arts, hip hop, rock climbing and Ninja exploded inside him and he never looked back to the engineer life. I stressed as mother's do on how he could lay down that incredibly smart brain to work on an already incredibly strong physique; but it was not about Travis, it was about others. He was a natural teacher and student. He was always like a sponge absorbing, digesting and giving back to others all that he learned. If he could make one person think about getting healthier and stronger he was living his best life. I am blessed to have met so many of his clients that benefitted from his passion for movement and health. He had the best tribe of humans I could have ever imagined. Travis did not brag and was rather low key about himself. He wanted it to be about others and what he could do to help you live your best life. The day he was taken to heaven, he told me how happy he was with his decisions, how he he rarely had a bad day, smiled everyday and was on track with his life aspirations. He was an amazing son and human being. He loved me and his sister so much. He made sure to let us know often. He thought his mama was a "bad ass" and I thought the same about him. He always inspired me to be better and try harder. He was looking to his future and Kristi Heisler was his person. As much as he struggled with setting up his future for her and not wasting her time, he knew she was the one he wanted to marry and raise his children with. He talked often about the children he never had. He had a plan, of course, Travis always had a plan. It was cut short without notice and only God knows why. This being his birthday month I am struggling so with his absence. He is my forever Valentine that God gave me for 29 short years. I am so proud to call him my son, my baby my forever angel. I am living one moment at a time Travis for you, Rachel and Abram. We are grieving you heavily and I am trusting you are happy and at peace in heaven with God, your Dad and sweet Sadie Lou. We love and miss you immensely. Your light is burning bright in my heart and will forever be a part of me. I love you my sweet son! Happy Birthday month and know on the 14th we will celebrate your bright light of love! Your Mom

Best Ski Trip of My Life. — with Travis Rust and Hayden Harrison

Top of The World — with Travis Rust and Hayden Harrison

I've known Travis since he was a baby. Although miles in between,  my best friend and sister for life Laurette would always find our way to keep together.  I have watched him grow from afar and near, the little boy, the mischievous teen who turned into one amazing young man! That charming smile, warm heart and laugh...the ninja warrior he was.  His sister Rachel so close, they balanced in the air, so many wonderful memories to share.  Never forgotten, let's celebrate his life, along side of his father they're watching, protecting all whom they love.                          Prayers for Laurette and Rachel...I love you both!        Lori                                  

Travis was very special and talented in so many ways.  I knew him when he was young and. only through his instagram and his Mother's posts as he got older.  He definitely had that glow about him!  

Just trying stuff on at the Halloween store.

When I met Travis a few years ago at Windy Hill Athletic Club, I immediately noticed something special about him.  After being inspired by his enthusiasm and obvious talent in the group exercise classes he taught (including the Wednesday night "handstand class," which turned my world upside down), I asked Travis if he would like to train my daughter and me.  So many families have written about Travis' talent coaching young people.  His amazing gift extended to coaching a woman old enough to be his mother and a contemporary of his.   I was always in awe when my training buddy would say she couldn't do something, Travis would say just the right thing, with the perfect encouraging tone, and Leah would succeed, feeling so good about herself as a result.  We will always treasure our time with Travis throughout the pandemic.  He challenged me to be the best I could be, and my achievements while working with Travis exceeded my expectations.  His patience and confidence in me were so inspiring.  He was always there for us, even scheduling early morning sessions on Saturday mornings when he was out of town at Ninja competitions and coming to my house to install gymnastics rings in my garage.  I loved it when he "nerded out" on exercise physiology.   He was so smart and analytical.  I was not the least bit surprised when I learned that he was a mechanical engineer.  Travis radiated a joy for life, even at 6 am, and was passionate about  Ninja and fitness in general.

I feel blessed to have known such an extraordinary young man who was pursuing his dream with such passion.  I will always have a special place in my heart for Travis.  Laurette and Rachel, I am so sorry for your loss.  

We are so sorry and heart broken to learn of Travis’s passing.  My husband and I were so impressed with Travis’s incredibly kind, authentic and vibrant  personality. He was such a good friend to our son and I know he feels his loss deeply.   We enjoyed our time together immensely and we are filled with great sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Travis’s family and friends.

• Robert and I are honored and blessed to have known your Travis and I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now, but I want you to know that we are just a phone call away. Our heartfelt condolences.

Coach Travis

I will always remember Travis like my own little red-headed little brother, even though he grew into a tall, strong, wonderful young man! I remember my brother & I walking over to Rachel & Travis' house "to play," and how much fun we'd all have. Rachel and I would pretend to be annoyed at our little brother(s) plural, but we were both so blessed to have wonderful sibling relationships. I treated Travis like he was my own brother, and Rachel treated Joey the same- I love that family-like bond we all shared! I know we've got some pics of Travis and Joey, probably of the four of us all together, (maybe some from a trip to "The Land"!?) I'll have to dig up! 

Love,

Kristen Lanier