An emotionally taxing breakup with his longtime girlfriend and love of his life, Samantha Johnson, nearly brought Travis Parker of Nashville, Tennessee, to his knees, but since that time, Travis's friends say he's bucked up like a real champ.
"What a trouper that dude is," said Travis's best friend from childhood, Lex Cantwell. "He took it on the chin, but he's not down for the count by any stretch. Not this guy."
Cantwell added that he's super proud of his boy.
Travis's mother, Bonnie Parker, agreed. "Travis is a rockstar. This would have destroyed some people, but not my baby boy. This is only making him even stronger."
Despite the positive reports, Travis himself has mixed feelings about his prospects for a productive and happy life. "People say I'm doing well, but I'm just ashes inside. No phoenix anywhere in sight."
Nevertheless, Travis is doing his best to keep up a good front, stay positive, and, most of all, keep fighting the good fight. "Bring it on, life. Let's see what else you got."
