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.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What if surgery and virtual reality could dramatically reduce phantom limb pain? On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Glenn Gaston, orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon, to explore groundbreaking innovations in amputee care — including the Starfish Procedure and a virtual reality treatment for phantom limb pain. Dr. Gaston shares how a life-changing patient experience led him to build a dedicated amputee clinic and push beyond century-old methods of care He also shares his journey into amputee care, the inspiration behind his innovations, and why collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, therapists, and mental health professionals is shaping the future of limb loss recovery.
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.
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.
