We're Not Stumped - Centering on life stories of the Limb Loss / Amputee and Disabled Communities

Mike Bolland
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We’re not stumped.Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. We’re Not Stumped is more than just a podcast—it's a platform dedicated to celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the indomitable human spirit. Hosted by Mike Bolland, a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA tour, the podcast delves into the real-life stories of individuals who have turned adversity into strength. Launched in 2022 after Mike retired from a successful career at Discount Tire, the podcast was born out of his desire to give back to the amputee community. Alongside starting the Joe & Marie Bolland’s Helping Hands nonprofit—which aims to help amputees obtain the prosthetics they need to live a full life—Mike created We’re Not Stumped to share the journeys of those who, like him, have faced challenges head-on. Each episode features candid conversations with amputees, family members, medical professionals, and advocates, shedding light on topics like adaptive living, inclusive employment practices, and the latest in prosthetic technology. With authenticity, compassion, and a touch of humor, Mike ensures that no question is off-limits, fostering an environment where guests can share their experiences openly. Beyond the podcast, Mike has embraced stand-up comedy, performing across Arizona and the Southwest, using humor as a tool to connect and inspire. His multifaceted approach to advocacy underscores a central message: challenges don't define us—our responses do. Join us as we amplify voices, break down stigmas, and build a community where no one feels like they're going it alone. Because here’s the truth:

  1. From Muscular Dystrophy to Robotics Founder: Building the Future of Assistive Technology

    6D AGO

    From Muscular Dystrophy to Robotics Founder: Building the Future of Assistive Technology

    What if the future of assistive technology is being built by the very people who need it most? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Owen, an entrepreneur living with muscular dystrophy who turned his lived experience into innovation. After struggling with limited rehabilitation tools, Owen co-founded a company developing a simple, home-based exoskeleton to make therapy more accessible. They discuss universal design, customer discovery, and the challenges of building technology for underserved markets. Owen also shares insights into robotic wheelchairs, AI-powered mobility solutions, and a new partnership to advance independence for users. A powerful conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, and designing technology that truly changes lives. Learn More https://assistivetech.dev/ Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    26 min
  2. Choosing Amputation at 22: Lindsay’s Journey of Resilience, Faith & Recovery

    FEB 24

    Choosing Amputation at 22: Lindsay’s Journey of Resilience, Faith & Recovery

    In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike sits down with Lindsay to share her courageous decision to choose amputation at age 22 — and the emotional and physical challenges that followed. Lindsay opens up about navigating identity after limb loss, the support of her parents, and the mindset that helped her move forward. She shares how setting a goal to walk unassisted by Christmas gave her focus during recovery and how resilience continues to shape her life today.  🧡 If Lindsay’s story resonates with you… One way to support others navigating limb loss is by sharing your prosthetic care experience at EnableReview.com. We’re building a review platform powered by lived experience — because no one should have to choose a provider blindly.  The conversation also explores her prosthetic journey, serious medical complications including liver failure and infection, and the determination that helped her regain mobility after two years on crutches. Now a support group leader and founder of Liberty Health, a nonprofit helping people afford prosthetics and orthotics, Lindsay is turning her experience into impact. This episode is about courage, community, and choosing purpose — even in life’s hardest moments. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    41 min
  3. Starfish Surgery & VR Breakthroughs: New Hope for Upper Limb Loss Patients with Dr. Glenn Gaston

    FEB 17

    Starfish Surgery & VR Breakthroughs: New Hope for Upper Limb Loss Patients with Dr. Glenn Gaston

    On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Dr. Glenn Gaston, an orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon who’s helping redefine what’s possible in amputee care. Dr. Gaston shares how a single patient encounter sparked his mission to improve outcomes for people with limb loss — leading to innovations like the Starfish Procedure, which restores individual finger control for partial hand amputees, and a newly FDA-cleared virtual reality therapy that significantly reduces phantom limb pain without opioids. Together, they explore: • How VR retrains the brain to ease phantom limb pain  • Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and advanced prosthetic control  • Osseointegration and emerging sensory prosthetics  • Arms for All and expanding access to upper-limb prosthetic care  • Why collaborative amputee clinics are changing lives  • The upcoming Brecon International Conference in Charlotte Dr. Gaston also opens up about his journey into amputee care, the future of upper-limb reconstruction, and why innovation matters just as much as compassion. If you or someone you love is navigating limb loss, prosthetics, or chronic pain, this conversation offers powerful insight — and real hope. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    15 min
  4. From AMC to the Paralympics: Lera Doederlein’s Double AKA Journey, Prosthetics, and Sled Hockey

    FEB 10

    From AMC to the Paralympics: Lera Doederlein’s Double AKA Journey, Prosthetics, and Sled Hockey

    Lera Doederlein joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share a powerful story of choosing possibility. Born with AMC (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita), Lera grew up in Phoenix using braces and forearm crutches while navigating school, friendships, and the quiet realization that sports might look different for her. As a teenager, she made the bold decision to pursue double above-knee amputations in order to gain independence and improve long-term mobility—and it transformed her life. Lera walks us through the realities of recovery and physical therapy, learning to use prosthetics, and the moment a clinician pushed her beyond her comfort zone—encouraging her to run just a week after she started walking. She also shares why community matters so much, from Camp No Limits to Hanger events and amputee boot camps that helped her build confidence and momentum. Then the conversation shifts to sports: how a chance introduction at a clinic led her to fall in love with sled hockey, earning a grant for her first custom sled, joining the U.S. Women’s National Sled Team in 2019, and ultimately competing in the 2022 Beijing Paralympics in Nordic skiing. If you’re early in your limb-difference or limb-loss journey—or you just need a reminder to try the thing that scares you—this episode will leave you inspired. Learn more about Camp No Limits: https://www.nolimitsfoundation.org/ Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    31 min
  5. From Setbacks to Strength: Supporting Amputees Through Physical Therapy & Collaboration

    FEB 3

    From Setbacks to Strength: Supporting Amputees Through Physical Therapy & Collaboration

    In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike talks with John Cooper, a physical therapist assistant with 18 years of experience, about his journey into physical therapy and his passion for working with lower-limb amputees. John shares how his grandfather’s recovery from brain surgery sparked his career, and how close collaboration with prosthetists helps him address the real-world challenges amputees face every day. He explains why patience matters in rehab, why quality beats quantity in therapy sessions, and how setbacks can become powerful turning points. The conversation also explores: • The importance of honest patient–therapist communication  • What John learned traveling with a former below-the-knee amputee patient  • Accessibility gaps and the need for stronger support systems  • His advocacy work, including planning an Amputee Awareness Night at a baseball game  • A touching success story helping an elderly patient regain mobility  • His future goals in wound care and rehabilitation This episode offers a meaningful look at amputee care from the therapy side — highlighting teamwork, empathy, and the power of human connection in recovery. Whether you’re an amputee, caregiver, healthcare professional, or ally, John’s story delivers insight, encouragement, and practical perspective. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    22 min
  6. Enable Review Launch: A Community-Powered Platform for Prosthetic & Rehab Care

    JAN 29

    Enable Review Launch: A Community-Powered Platform for Prosthetic & Rehab Care

    In this special episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland shares the story behind Enable Review — a new community-powered platform created to help people with limb loss, limb difference, and caregivers find prosthetic, orthotic, and rehabilitation care they can trust. After a lifetime navigating prosthetics and hearing powerful stories from guests and listeners, Mike explains why real patient experiences matter — and how Enable Review puts those voices front and center. Enable Review isn’t about ads or marketing. It’s about lived experience. We’re opening the platform with our Founding 100 — the first 100 reviewers who help build this community from the ground up. If you’ve worked with a prosthetist, orthotist, physical therapist, or rehab clinic, we invite you to share your experience at: 👉 https://enablereview.com/ Your story could help someone else make a better care decision. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    10 min
  7. Turning Cancer Into Purpose: Risa August’s Advocacy & Resilience Journey

    JAN 27

    Turning Cancer Into Purpose: Risa August’s Advocacy & Resilience Journey

    In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Risa August — cancer survivor, author of The Road Unpaved, TEDx speaker, and patient advocate — for a deeply honest and uplifting conversation. Risa shares how her diagnosis and cancer treatments reshaped her identity, challenged her physically and emotionally, and ultimately inspired her to create a life of meaning and service. From enduring radiation and its long-term effects to cycling nearly 1,900 miles from Canada to Mexico, Risa’s journey is one of courage, mindset, and transformation. Together, Mike and Risa explore: • How to rebuild confidence and purpose after life-changing health challenges  • The power of small victories and shifting your mindset toward possibility  • Risa’s work as a Gestalt coach and advocate for stronger doctor-patient relationships • The impact of her book and TEDx talk, “How a Single Word Can Rebuild Your Life”   • Risa’s upcoming feature film adaptation of her memoir, set for production in 2027 This episode is about more than surviving cancer — it’s about thriving, empowering others, and discovering what you’re capable of when you refuse to give up. Subscribe for more stories that uplift the disability and limb-loss community and celebrate the human spirit. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    25 min
  8. Four Truths and a Lie: Terry Tucker on Mental Toughness, Purpose, and True Success

    JAN 20

    Four Truths and a Lie: Terry Tucker on Mental Toughness, Purpose, and True Success

    In this powerful and reflective episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Terry Tucker, author of Four Truths and a Lie, for a deep conversation about mindset, mental toughness, and what it truly means to live a significant life. Terry shares the philosophy behind his latest book, which challenges common definitions of success rooted in money, status, and material achievement. Instead, he invites listeners to rethink success through the lens of service, responsibility, and impact on others. At the heart of his message is one foundational truth: if you don’t control your mind, it will control you. Building on lessons from his earlier work, Sustainable Excellence, Terry explains how the four truths in the book—shaped by real-life adversity including cancer and amputation—serve as a framework for resilience. He emphasizes the importance of deliberately stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing discomfort, and taking daily actions that strengthen mental toughness. Mike and Terry also explore the difference between success and significance, the dangers of tying self-worth to achievement, and why true fulfillment comes from giving rather than acquiring. Through stories, philosophy, and lived experience, Terry offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating hardship or searching for deeper purpose. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The core philosophy behind Four Truths and a LieMental toughness and controlling your mindsetSuccess versus significanceFinding purpose through service to othersBuilding resilience through daily discomfortLessons learned through adversity and personal challengeThis episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning traditional ideas of success or looking to build a more meaningful, purpose-driven life. Terry's new book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Truths-Lie-Ancient-Purpose/dp/B0FPGTK7TG 🎙️ Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for inspiring conversations about resilience, disability, and turning life’s toughest challenges into growth and impact. Send Mike a Message! Support the show Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/ Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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5 Ratings

About

We’re not stumped.Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. We’re Not Stumped is more than just a podcast—it's a platform dedicated to celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the indomitable human spirit. Hosted by Mike Bolland, a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA tour, the podcast delves into the real-life stories of individuals who have turned adversity into strength. Launched in 2022 after Mike retired from a successful career at Discount Tire, the podcast was born out of his desire to give back to the amputee community. Alongside starting the Joe & Marie Bolland’s Helping Hands nonprofit—which aims to help amputees obtain the prosthetics they need to live a full life—Mike created We’re Not Stumped to share the journeys of those who, like him, have faced challenges head-on. Each episode features candid conversations with amputees, family members, medical professionals, and advocates, shedding light on topics like adaptive living, inclusive employment practices, and the latest in prosthetic technology. With authenticity, compassion, and a touch of humor, Mike ensures that no question is off-limits, fostering an environment where guests can share their experiences openly. Beyond the podcast, Mike has embraced stand-up comedy, performing across Arizona and the Southwest, using humor as a tool to connect and inspire. His multifaceted approach to advocacy underscores a central message: challenges don't define us—our responses do. Join us as we amplify voices, break down stigmas, and build a community where no one feels like they're going it alone. Because here’s the truth:

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