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

Mike Bolland
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

We’re not stumped.Not by limb loss. Not by fear. Not by anything life throws our way. We’re Not Stumped is a motivational podcast sharing survival stories, recovery journeys, and real-life success stories from the limb loss and disability community. Hosted by Mike Bolland—a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour—this podcast highlights what it truly means to overcome adversity and rebuild with purpose. Launched in 2022, the show was created to give a voice to individuals navigating limb loss, disability, and life-changing challenges. Each episode features powerful conversations with amputees, caregivers, medical professionals, and advocates—offering insight into adaptive living, prosthetic innovation, inclusive employment, and mental resilience. These are more than just stories—they are recovery stories and survival stories that provide hope, perspective, and practical encouragement for anyone facing adversity. Beyond the podcast, Mike is also a speaker and stand-up comedian, using humor and real-life experience to connect with audiences and challenge perceptions around disability. If you’re searching for a motivational podcast, survival stories podcast, or recovery story podcast, We’re Not Stumped delivers honest, inspiring conversations from people who have faced life head-on—and refused to be defined by it. Join a growing community built on resilience, connection, and the belief that no one has to go through this alone.

  1. What the TV Stories Didn't Show | The Real Reason Behind My PBA Comeback

    1d ago

    What the TV Stories Didn't Show | The Real Reason Behind My PBA Comeback

    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 podcast, I share some of the stories, organizations, and experiences that didn't make it into the TV segments, including: • The mission behind the We're Not Stumped podcast • Joe & Marie Bolland's Helping Hands and supporting people with limb loss and limb differences • Enable Review and helping people make informed prosthetic care decisions • Why this comeback is about much more than bowling The bowling ball may have opened the door, but the real story is about service, community, resilience, and making the most of the opportunities life gives us. Have a stump and a smile! #WereNotStumped #PBA #Bowling #AdaptiveSports #DisabilityInclusion #LimbDifference #Ability360 #ArizonaDisabledSports #EnableReview #HelpingHands #Podcast #Resilience #OneMoreRun 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/

    12 min
  2. Rachel Kubicki: How the Hanger Foundation Empowers People to Live Without Limits

    4d ago

    Rachel Kubicki: How the Hanger Foundation Empowers People to Live Without Limits

    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 fundraising efforts. She discusses Move to Inspire, EmpowerFest, and the upcoming Night to Inspire event in Nashville, all designed to create opportunities, build connections, and inspire achievement within the limb loss and limb difference community. Rachel also shares powerful stories of individuals who have overcome obstacles, reached unexpected milestones, and discovered the life-changing value of community support. In this episode: • The mission of the Hanger Foundation • Move to Inspire and EmpowerFest events • Scholarships and nonprofit grant programs • Building community after limb loss or limb difference • Inspiring success stories from across the country • How supporters can get involved and make a difference Whether you're part of the limb loss community, a caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone who appreciates stories of resilience and possibility, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration. Learn more about the Hanger Foundation at hangerfoundation.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/

    22 min
  3. Things I Didn’t Expect About Returning to Bowling After 30 Years

    Jun 4

    Things I Didn’t Expect About Returning to Bowling After 30 Years

    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 unexpected encounter reminded me that people still remember my days on the PBA Tour. This episode isn’t about scores or equipment. It’s about rediscovering a part of my life I thought was behind me and finding out what’s still possible when you decide to take one more run. As the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour, I hope this conversation encourages you to revisit a dream, try something again, or simply remember that it’s never too late to surprise yourself. Have a stump and a smile! 🎳 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/

    14 min
  4. From Vision Loss to Inspiration | Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipient Kathy Nimmer

    Jun 2

    From Vision Loss to Inspiration | Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipient Kathy Nimmer

    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 who spent nearly three decades educating and inspiring students while living with blindness. Kathy shares her remarkable journey of progressive vision loss caused by a rare retinal degenerative disease, the challenges she faced along the way, and the resilience that helped her build a life filled with purpose, achievement, and impact. In this episode, Kathy discusses: • Growing up with gradual vision loss and adapting to change • Teaching high school English for nearly 30 years as a blind educator • Overcoming depression, anorexia, and uncertainty about the future • The role of advocacy, family support, and disability representation • Pursuing mountain climbing, writing, public speaking, and teaching • Employment challenges facing people who are blind or visually impaired • Practical advice for families navigating vision loss and disability Kathy also shares insights from her latest book, Two Plus Four Equals One, an anthology celebrating the unique bond between people with disabilities and their assistance dogs. This powerful conversation is a reminder that while circumstances may change, purpose, passion, and perseverance can help us achieve far more than we ever imagined. Learn more about Kathy at KathyNimmer.com and visit WereNotStumped.com for more inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and living without limits. 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/

    30 min
  5. Whitney Lavender: From CRPS to Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026

    May 26

    Whitney Lavender: From CRPS to Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026

    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 leg amputations. Rather than allowing adversity to define her, she rebuilt her life and discovered a new purpose through advocacy, storytelling, and empowering others. In this episode, Mike and Whitney discuss: • Living with CRPS and chronic pain • Whitney’s amputation journey and recovery • Phantom pain and adapting to life with prosthetics • Overcoming depression and rebuilding confidence • The importance of support and community • Adaptive sports and accessibility advocacy • Whitney’s children’s book and podcast Wits Grit • Her journey to becoming Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026 Whitney’s story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can sometimes reveal strengths we never knew we had.  Whitney's Website: https://www.whitneylavender.com/ Whit & Wheels: A Journey of Courage: https://www.amazon.com/Whit-Wheels-Journey-Whitney-Lavender/dp/1959955683/  🎙 Learn more about We're Not Stumped and subscribe for more stories of resilience, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. 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/

    38 min
  6. The Top 3 Questions About My Bowling Comeback

    May 22

    The Top 3 Questions About My Bowling Comeback

    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 at 61 years old? Mike shares the story behind becoming the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour, the life experiences that pulled him away from bowling, and how volunteering with Arizona Disabled Sports unexpectedly helped inspire his comeback journey toward the PBA60 World Championship. This episode is about much more than bowling. It’s about reinvention, resilience, identity, and realizing it’s never too late to take one more shot at something meaningful. And Mike wants your questions too. Leave a comment or message with what you’d like him to answer in a future comeback episode. 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/

    12 min
  7. My Bowling Comeback! | The First Person With Limb Loss on the PBA Returns

    May 19

    My Bowling Comeback! | The First Person With Limb Loss on the PBA Returns

    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, finding purpose again, and proving that it’s never too late to chase something meaningful. Whether you’re an athlete, someone facing adversity, or simply trying to find your way back to something you once loved — this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe for more stories from the limb loss and disability community. #Bowling #PBA #BowlingComeback #Amputee #DisabilityAwareness #WereNotStumped #AdaptiveSports #Motivation #Resilience #PBA60 #MikeBolland 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/

    16 min
  8. Redefining Life After Limb Loss with Travis Sanders | Barber, Author & Amputee

    May 12

    Redefining Life After Limb Loss with Travis Sanders | Barber, Author & Amputee

    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 limb loss, Travis was forced to confront a completely different future. But instead of allowing that moment to define him, he made a powerful decision: He would redefine it. Just days after leaving the hospital, Travis returned to cutting hair — a moment that perfectly captures the determination and mindset that now fuels his mission to help others. Mike and Travis discuss: The mental and emotional battle during recoveryReturning to work immediately after surgeryHis new book, Path of Resilience JournalThe importance of peer mentoring and support groupsHelping amputees rebuild confidence and purposeWhy mindset and community matter after traumaToday, Travis mentors fellow amputees through hospital visits, support groups, and encouragement rooted in lived experience — proving that resilience is something built one day at a time.  🔗 Connect & Learn More  📍 Hair by Travis Sanders: https://www.haircutsbytravis.com/  📘 Path of Resilience Journal: https://a.co/d/00avjtCT  🌐 Instagram: @resilience_forge  🌐 Enable Review: Real reviews for prosthetic care: https://enablereview.com/  Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for more real stories from the limb loss and disability community. 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/

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 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 a motivational podcast sharing survival stories, recovery journeys, and real-life success stories from the limb loss and disability community. Hosted by Mike Bolland—a one-handed cancer survivor and the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour—this podcast highlights what it truly means to overcome adversity and rebuild with purpose. Launched in 2022, the show was created to give a voice to individuals navigating limb loss, disability, and life-changing challenges. Each episode features powerful conversations with amputees, caregivers, medical professionals, and advocates—offering insight into adaptive living, prosthetic innovation, inclusive employment, and mental resilience. These are more than just stories—they are recovery stories and survival stories that provide hope, perspective, and practical encouragement for anyone facing adversity. Beyond the podcast, Mike is also a speaker and stand-up comedian, using humor and real-life experience to connect with audiences and challenge perceptions around disability. If you’re searching for a motivational podcast, survival stories podcast, or recovery story podcast, We’re Not Stumped delivers honest, inspiring conversations from people who have faced life head-on—and refused to be defined by it. Join a growing community built on resilience, connection, and the belief that no one has to go through this alone.

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