We’re Not Stumped | Motivational Podcast Featuring Survival Stories, Recovery Journeys & Disability Stories

What happens when a life-changing accident forces you to redefine what's possible? On this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Kirsten Ludwig —a biomedical researcher, educator, former professional polo player, and advocate for disability inclusion in healthcare. In 2021, Dr. Ludwig was paralyzed from the neck down during a horseback riding acci...

What is it really like to live with hearing loss? . In this episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, Mike Bolland sits down with Janelle Parker, founder of TAMCO Learning, to discuss her lifelong journey with hearing loss and the lessons she's learned along the way.  Janelle shares how she was born with a unique "cookie bite" hearing loss, received her first hearing aid before...

Three years after her first appearance on We're Not Stumped , Rose Booth returns to the podcast to share an extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and new beginnings. After enduring 14 surgeries, multiple episodes of sepsis, a heart attack, and the loss of her right leg above the knee, Rose found herself on a path she never expected. A former technology executive, she left corporate Amer...

Over the years, I've been asked a lot of questions—some serious, some funny, and some I've heard more times than I can count. In this solo episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast , I'm answering five of the questions I get asked a lot. Do I wear a prosthesis? How do I bowl with one hand? Have I always had a positive attitude? Do people still stare? And what keeps me motivated?...

 What happens when you lose your sight at just 27 years old?  In this episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, Mike Bolland welcomes Lynn Jensen, author of Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss, to share her remarkable journey from sudden blindness to living an independent, adventurous life filled with travel, purpose, and humor.  Lynn discusses the challenges she faced after losin...

Over the past few weeks, I was fortunate to be featured by ABC15 and Arizona's Family as I prepare for my return to PBA competition after more than 30 years away from the sport. The television stories were fantastic, but as anyone who has ever done an interview knows, there's always more that doesn't make the final cut. In this special solo episode of the We're Not Stumped podc...

Rachel Kubicki, Executive Director of the Hanger Foundation, joins Mike Bolland to discuss the organization's mission of empowering people with physical challenges to live life as fully as possible. With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Rachel shares how the Foundation has expanded its impact through scholarships, nonprofit grants, community events, and innovative fundra...

After more than 30 years away from competitive bowling, I’m discovering that some things have changed—and some things haven’t. In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped , I share three things that surprised me as I prepare for my return to competition at the 2026 PBA60 World Championship.  The body doesn’t work quite the same at 61.   Some instincts and memories never really leave.   And one unexp...

From Vision Loss to Inspiration | Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipient Kathy Nimmer What happens when you begin losing your vision as a child—and refuse to let it define your future? In this inspiring episode of We're Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland welcomes Kathy Nimmer, recipient of the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award, author, speaker, and retired high school English teacher...

Host Mike Bolland welcomes Whitney Lavender — Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026, author, advocate, and host of the Wits Grit podcast — for an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and overcoming unimaginable challenges. After a devastating fall led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Whitney faced years of severe pain, countless treatments, and ultimately bilateral le...

Ever since announcing his return to competitive bowling, Mike Bolland has been getting one question after another from friends, bowlers, podcast listeners, and people discovering his story for the first time. In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , Mike answers the top three questions he keeps hearing: 🎳 How did he start bowling? 🎳 Why did he walk away from the sport? 🎳 Why is he coming back now...

What happens when you step back into something you once loved… years later? In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, Mike Bolland shares the story behind his bowling comeback — from being the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour to stepping back onto the lanes with a new purpose. But this isn’t just about bowling. It’s about rediscovering confidence, overcoming fear, fin...

What happens when life changes in an instant—and you have to decide whether it defines you… or whether you redefine it? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland sits down with Travis Sanders — master barber, entrepreneur, author, peer mentor, and above-knee amputee whose story is rooted in resilience, mindset, and purpose. After blood clots led to multiple surgeries and ultimately...

What does it mean to tell a story about limb loss… when you haven’t lived it yourself? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland—born without a right hand—sits down with author Jim Roberts to explore the decision to create a one-arm protagonist in his novel And Your Bird Can Sing . This conversation goes beyond writing. It’s about representation, authenticity, and what it truly mean...

What happens when your life changes overnight—and you have to rebuild from the ground up? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Melinda Preciado, a former ER professional turned disability advocate, about her life-changing journey after becoming an above-knee amputee in 2021 following a rare and devastating medical complication. Melinda shares the realities of...

What happens after an amputee faces cancer and must rebuild life from scratch? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , Mike Bolland sits down with Kim Ousley to share her powerful amputee story—from a synovial sarcoma diagnosis to limb loss, recovery, and becoming a leader in amputee support and advocacy. Kim opens up about:  Her cancer journey and decision to amputate   The emotional and physical...

What kind of support truly makes a difference during limb loss or limb preservation? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , Mike Bolland sits down with Laurie Gillman from the Limb Preservation Foundation to explore the programs helping individuals navigate some of life’s toughest moments. Laurie shares how LPF provides financial assistance, emotional support through peer groups, and educational r...

 What do these leadership changes at the Amputee Coalition mean for the limb loss community? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland breaks down the latest updates, including the appointment of Dr. Carmen Elliott as President & CEO and the addition of new Board Members:  Teri Kuffel  Nicole Grehn, MSN, NP  Dr. Cassandra Quave  With backgrounds in healthcare, policy, research, a...

What does dating look like after limb loss? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped , Mike Bolland sits down with Neomi Flores  to talk about relationships, confidence, and navigating the dating world as an amputee. Neomi shares her journey after losing her leg in 2022, including the emotional challenges, when to disclose limb loss to potential partners, and the impact of past relationships on moving...

What does real support look like in the limb loss community? In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped , Mike Bolland shares the missions behind Joe & Marie’s Helping Hands and Enable Review—a platform where amputees share real experiences about prosthetists and clinics to help others make more informed decisions. Plus, Joe & Marie’s Helping Hands is currently seeking board members (Treasu...

What happens when you survive COVID… but wake up to a completely different life? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland sits down with Brianna Heitzman, a certified employment specialist with Down Syndrome of Louisville, whose life was forever changed after a severe battle with COVID-19. After being placed on a ventilator and ECMO, Brianna faced an unimaginable outcome—t...

What happens when a limb loss story hits the news—and suddenly everyone you know is texting you about it? If you’re part of the limb loss community, you know exactly what that feels like. In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland dives into the experience of being “the limb loss friend”—the person people turn to when they don’t fully understand what they’re seeing, but want to...

 Stacy and Courtney Walker aren’t just teammates—they’re the only known mother-daughter duo in wheelchair power soccer… and they represent Arizona Heat Power Soccer. Now, they—and their team—are working toward competing at Power Soccer Nationals, and they need your help to get there.  On this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Stacy and Courtney to talk about their...

What does it take to turn a life challenge into a lifelong passion for sports and coaching? On this episode of We're Not Stumped , host Mike Bolland talks with Marc Burkom, a double below-knee amputee born with fibular hemimelia who has built a life around athletics, coaching, and helping others reach their potential. Marc shares how his parents made the difficult decision to amputate his fee...

Scott Martin returns to the We’re Not Stumped Podcast for a powerful follow-up conversation with host Mike Bolland. Scott shares the story of the life-threatening illness he survived in 1993 that resulted in the amputation of his hands and feet, and the long journey of rebuilding his life afterward. From facing discrimination and depression to rediscovering confidence and purpose, Scott reflects o...