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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What happens when you step back into something you once loved… years later? In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, Mike Bolland shares the story behind his bowling comeback — from being the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour to stepping back onto the lanes with a new purpose. But this isn’t just about bowling. It's about shedding light on the things that are important to him - this podcast, his nonprofit and Enable Review. It’s never too late to chase something meaningful.
What happens when life changes in an instant—and you have to decide whether it defines you… or whether you redefine it? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Travis Sanders — master barber, entrepreneur, author, peer mentor, and above-knee amputee whose story is rooted in resilience, mindset, and purpose. After blood clots led to multiple surgeries and ultimately limb loss, Travis was forced to confront a completely different future. But instead of allowing that moment to define him, he made a powerful decision: He would redefine it. Just days after leaving the hospital, Travis returned to cutting hair — a moment that perfectly captures the determination and mindset that now fuels his mission to help others.
What does it mean to tell a story about limb loss… when you haven’t lived it yourself? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland—born without a right hand—sits down with author Jim Roberts to explore the decision to create a one-arm protagonist in his novel And Your Bird Can Sing. This conversation goes beyond writing. It’s about representation, authenticity, and what it truly means to feel seen. Jim shares how limb loss in his story became a powerful metaphor for grief, guilt, and forgiveness, set within a Southern Gothic coming-of-age journey through 1960s and 70s East Texas.
