What helps someone build confidence after years of being treated differently? For burn survivor and amputee Kevon Martorell, basketball, self-advocacy, and community have all played a role.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Kevon joins host Mike Bolland to discuss growing up with visible differences, navigating life after amputation, and creating adaptive fitness resources for people with disabilities.
Growing Up as a Burn Survivor
Kevon survived severe burns covering 80% of his body as a toddler. Growing up, he faced bullying, medical complications, and barriers to participating in sports.
He shares how those experiences shaped his confidence and his willingness to speak up for himself. His story offers a personal perspective on the challenges of growing up with visible differences and finding places where you feel included.
Life After Amputation and Learning to Advocate for Yourself
Kevon later underwent a leg amputation, bringing new challenges to his recovery and everyday life. He discusses navigating limb loss and why advocating for your care matters.
Mike and Kevon explore how personal experiences can help people understand their needs, ask questions, and take a more active role in decisions affecting their lives.
Building Confidence Through Basketball
Basketball became an important part of Kevon’s story. He describes how participating in sports helped him develop confidence and find connection.
Their conversation explores what access to movement and adaptive sports can mean for people who have encountered barriers to participation.
Adapt and Triumph: Adaptive Fitness and Nutrition
Kevon’s experiences inspired him to create Adapt and Triumph, an adaptive fitness and nutrition app.
He discusses the motivation behind the app and the importance of developing resources that reflect different bodies and abilities. The conversation considers how fitness can become more welcoming when people’s individual needs are part of the planning.
Learn more at Adapt and Triumph.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- Kevon’s experiences growing up as a burn survivor
- Navigating limb loss and life after a leg amputation
- Finding confidence and connection through basketball
- Speaking up and advocating for your care
- The inspiration behind Adapt and Triumph
- Building community for people with disabilities
Listen to Kevon Martorell on We’re Not Stumped
Hear Kevon’s conversation with Mike Bolland for an honest look at recovery, adaptive fitness, and the value of being understood.
What has helped you build confidence or find community? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Explore more disability stories, conversations about limb loss, and experiences with accessibility at We’re Not Stumped.
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Burn survivor and amputee Kevon Martorell joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share his experiences with recovery, adaptive fitness, and finding community. After surviving burns covering 80% of his body as a toddler and later undergoing a leg amputation, Kevon faced bullying, medical complications, and barriers to sports participation. He discusses how basketball helped him build confidence, why self-advocacy matters, and what inspired him to create Adapt and Triumph, an adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Their conversation explores the importance of resources that reflect different bodies and abilities, along with the connections that help people feel understood. Hear Kevon’s perspective on navigating life after amputation, speaking up for your care, and making movement more accessible for people with disabilities through his own experiences.
Mike Bolland celebrates 250 episodes of We’re Not Stumped by welcoming back his first guest, Nicole Marti. Now Event Support Manager at the Amputee Coalition, Nicole turns the questions on Mike for a conversation about disability, community, and belonging. Together, they explore lessons from sharing stories, the importance of emotional support, and finding courage to take chances. Mike reflects on returning to competitive bowling after cancer, while Nicole previews the 2027 Amputee Coalition National Conference in Las Vegas. The episode also honors former guests Dr. Eric Gabriel and Karlene Martinez, remembering their lives and the lasting impact of their stories.
Adaptive athlete and motivational speaker Robert Rodriguez, also known as Robert Anthony, joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped for a conversation about growing up with limb difference, finding confidence through sports, and supporting others through limb loss. Born with fibular hemimelia, Robert shares the physical and social challenges he faced as a child, including bullying and barriers in sports. He reflects on his family’s support and his path into amputee soccer, paratriathlon, and beach volleyball. Mike and Robert also challenge the assumption that experiencing limb loss early in life means someone automatically has it easier—or has less to offer a person navigating a recent amputation.
