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.
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Risa August: https://www.risaaugust.com/
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Stacy and Courtney Walker are proving that teamwork knows no limits. As the only known mother-daughter duo in wheelchair power soccer, they proudly represent Arizona Heat Power Soccer—competing, training, and pushing boundaries together on and off the court. Their journey is about more than just the game. It’s about resilience, family, and the power of adaptive sports to change lives. On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Stacy and Courtney to share their story—how they got involved in power soccer, what it’s like competing side by side, and what being part of Arizona Heat Power Soccer truly means. Now, they’re working toward their next big goal: competing at Power Soccer Nationals.
What does it take to turn a life challenge into a lifelong passion for sports and coaching? On this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Marc Burkom, a double below-knee amputee born with fibular hemimelia who has built a life around athletics, coaching, and helping others reach their potential. Marc shares how his parents made the difficult decision to amputate his feet when he was just two months old — a choice that allowed him to grow up active in sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball. Today, Marc works in coaching education and advocates for expanding opportunities for adaptive and amputee athletes. In this conversation, Marc and Mike discuss growing up with prosthetics, the role sports played in building confidence, coaching amputee soccer, adaptive sports like amputee basketball, and how prosthetic technology has evolved over the years.
In this deeply moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Scott Martin, a bilateral hand amputee, soccer coach, and author of the upcoming memoir Play From Your Heart. Scott opens up about the life-altering infection in 1993 that led to the loss of both hands and parts of his feet, and the emotional aftermath that followed. He speaks honestly about denial, detachment, and the five-year struggle with depression that tested his identity, confidence, and purpose.
