What happens when life takes you in an unexpected direction? For William Person, it meant going from college track and field to becoming an Olympic bobsledder — despite once thinking the sport was “stupid.”
In this compelling episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives deep into Will’s remarkable story — from athletic triumphs to the unseen mental and physical toll of high-impact sports.
Will shares:
✅ An Unexpected Start – How a Canadian team discovered him at ASU and convinced him to try bobsledding—only for him to win a medal in his first week.
✅ The Hidden Dangers – The connection between bobsledding and CTE, the effects of repeated high G-forces, and the lack of medical safeguards for athletes.
✅ Cognitive & Emotional Struggles – How memory lapses, confusion, and the loss of a teammate shaped his journey toward healing.
✅ Advocacy & Recovery – Will’s mission to raise awareness about mental health, his success with oxygen therapy, and his vision to open a treatment facility for athletes and veterans in St. Louis.
This episode goes far beyond sports—it’s a story of resilience, healing, and the fight for athlete safety.
👉 Tune in to hear how William turned pain into purpose, and why his advocacy could change the future of mental health in athletics.
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Podcast host Mike Bolland is looking to connect with individuals willing to share their experiences with prosthetists and prosthetic care. If you’ve ever faced challenges with a prosthetist, received a prosthetic that didn’t meet your needs, or discovered a provider who went above and beyond, your story can make a difference. On his show, We’re Not Stumped, Mike engages in open, honest conversations about life with limb loss, prosthetics, and advocacy. His mission is to give a voice to the limb loss community, spotlight real experiences — both the good and the bad — and work toward improving the system for everyone. Mike invites you to be part of this important dialogue, knowing that your insights could help others navigate their own prosthetic journeys with greater confidence and support. 📩 Interested in being a guest? Visit: https://werenotstumped.com/were-not-stumped-limb-loss-podcast-guest-guide/
In this heartfelt and uplifting episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Katie Thomas for a conversation filled with honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Born without her right arm below the elbow, Katie began receiving care at Shriners Hospital in Tampa at age 3 and experimented with various prosthetics throughout her childhood. Over time, she discovered that prosthetics were a helpful tool—but not essential for her to live a full, capable life. Now a devoted parent, Katie opens up about raising her son, who has Witteveen Colk syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She shares her journey through early intervention services, advocating for genetic testing, and ensuring her child receives the support he needs. Her advice to parents? Trust your instincts, push for answers, and never hesitate to speak up for your child.
Jeanette Jones returns to the We’re Not Stumped podcast with host Mike Bolland for a powerful conversation that goes beyond music. She shares a shocking and emotional story about the accessibility barriers she and her partner Frank encountered at a Def Leppard concert at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. From steep hills to discriminatory treatment by staff, their experience sheds light on how accessibility still falls short—even in 2025. But that’s just the beginning. Jeanette also opens up about her own journey—surviving childhood cancer, transitioning from prosthetics to a wheelchair, and the incredible resilience of her partner Frank after his life-changing accident. This episode is about more than one bad night—it’s a call to action for accessibility, empathy, and real change.
