What can 250 conversations teach us about disability, connection, and belonging? Mike Bolland celebrates the 250th episode of We’re Not Stumped with the person who helped start it all—his first-ever guest, Nicole Marti.
Now Event Support Manager at the Amputee Coalition, Nicole turns the questions on Mike as they reflect on four years of sharing stories about limb loss, limb difference, and the broader disability community.
Mike discusses how the podcast has changed his perspective, why mental and emotional challenges deserve more attention, and what returning to competitive bowling after cancer taught him about taking the shot anyway.
Nicole also previews the 2027 Amputee Coalition National Conference in Las Vegas, including a Story Slam hosted by Mike and plans for live podcast recordings.
The episode opens with a tribute to former guests Dr. Eric Gabriel and Karlene Martinez, honoring their lives and the stories they shared.
In this episode:
• Remembering Dr. Eric Gabriel and Karlene Martinez
• Welcoming back our first guest, Nicole Marti
• Lessons from 250 episodes of honest conversations
• Limb loss, limb difference, peer support, and belonging
• Disability representation and “inspiration porn”
• Competitive bowling and facing the fear of failure
• Building connections through the Amputee Coalition
Hear the stories of our remembered guests:
Dr. Eric Gabriel: https://youtu.be/eOz9JGHyQYc
Karlene Martinez: https://youtu.be/i1ILaBBAIB4
Thank you to every guest and listener who has helped us reach 250 episodes. Follow We’re Not Stumped for more conversations about living with limb loss, limb differences, and disabilities.
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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Neomi Flores, who became an amputee at age 43 after a blood clot changed her life forever. Neomi shares her powerful journey, including: The frightening symptoms that led to her amputation Facing fear and uncertainty before surgery A year in a wheelchair and the challenges of recovery Learning to walk again with prosthetics Drawing strength from her faith, her children, and small victories The meaning behind her tattoo: “Don’t just exist, live” Her story is one of resilience, gratitude, and determination—a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, it’s possible to find purpose and live fully.
Mike Bolland highlights two powerful topics of resilience, and community. Topic 1 – A Call for Coaches ArizonAbility is launching a basketball clinic for adults with disabilities, and they’re looking for a passionate coach to lead the way. This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about confidence, teamwork, and creating a space where every player can thrive. Mike explains what this opportunity means for the community and how one coach can make a life-changing impact. Topic 2 – Inspiration from Legapalooza Mike also shares the inspiring story of Legapalooza (https://legapalooza.com/), founded by Tommy Donahue after a life-changing accident. What started as a small charity event has grown into a movement of resilience, connection, and giving back. Tommy’s journey reminds us that when we come together, we can turn challenges into opportunities for hope and empowerment.
Host Mike Bolland sits down with Alexia Michitti—a public speaker, athlete, and entrepreneur born without a right hand. Together, they reflect on their shared experiences of limb difference and Alexia’s powerful journey of resilience, determination, and innovation. Alexia shares how she’s breaking barriers in sports and beyond—from representing the U.S. in the first Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup, to filing a patent for adaptive clothing through her brand Em13race (https://em13race.com/), to finding her voice as a motivational speaker. She opens up about life without a prosthetic, her role models, and her passion for inspiring children with limb differences to embrace their uniqueness.
