In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Risa August — cancer survivor, author, patient advocate, and TEDx speaker — to talk about transforming adversity into impact.
Risa shares her journey after being diagnosed with acromegaly, the life-altering treatments she endured, and how she rebuilt her life with courage, mindset, and purpose. From losing her identity to riding 1,845 miles from Canada to Mexico, Risa proves that resilience can create extraordinary new beginnings.
They also discuss:
• The long-term effects of cancer treatment and radiation
• Risa’s award-winning memoir “The Road Unpaved”
• Her TEDx talk “How a Single Word Can Rebuild Your Life”
• Her work as a Gestalt coach and patient advocate
Plus, Risa reveals exciting news about her memoir being adapted into a feature film set for production in 2027.
This conversation is about more than survival — it’s about finding purpose, shifting your mindset, and helping others rise after life’s greatest challenges.
🎙️ Subscribe for more stories of strength, disability empowerment, adaptive living, and thriving beyond adversity.
Risa August: https://www.risaaugust.com/
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Does being born with a limb difference—or experiencing amputation as a child—mean you have it easier? In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland challenges an assumption that can leave people feeling dismissed within their own community. Born without a right hand, Mike shares why physical adaptation tells only part of the story. Through his podcast and community work, he’s met people whose experiences include bullying, employment barriers, relationship challenges, and depression. While these experiences don’t all reflect his own journey, they deserve acknowledgment. Acquiring a disability later in life brings its own challenges, including grief and adjustment. Recognizing those experiences doesn’t require minimizing the challenges of congenital limb difference or childhood limb loss. This episode invites us to listen more closely, question what we assume about others, and support one another without ranking whose journey is harder.
How can voiceover and adaptive sports create opportunities for people with disabilities? Phoenix-based voiceover artist Tony Jackson joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share his experiences behind the microphone and on the power soccer court. Tony serves as the Grant Coordinator and Power Soccer Coordinator at Ability360. We explore his path into voice acting, accessibility in casting, and how adaptive sports build teamwork, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Ten years after cancer surgery, Mike Bolland found himself on the field at an Arizona Cardinals game, representing all cancers during the NFL’s Crucial Catch recognition. In this personal episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike reflects on the journey from surgery and radiation to pursuing two goals: performing stand-up comedy and bowling on tour one more time. Those decisions helped lead to motivational speaking, a return to competition on the PBA60 Tour, and his message, “Take the Shot Anyway.” Mike also honors the podcast guests who have shared their own cancer journeys, including those who experienced limb loss, and the people whose support helped him through treatment and recovery.
