In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland sits down with Janne Kouri, entrepreneur, founder of NextStep, and co-founder of Lencaro Finnish Long Drink.
Janne shares the incredible story of how a spinal cord injury from a swimming accident in 2006 changed the course of his life. After spending two months in the ICU battling paralysis, pneumonia, and a 104-degree fever, he traveled more than 2,000 miles to receive groundbreaking activity-based rehabilitation that wasn’t covered by insurance—but changed everything.
That experience inspired him to create NextStep, a nonprofit rehabilitation center that helps people living with paralysis access advanced therapy long after traditional insurance benefits end.
In this inspiring conversation, you’ll learn:
His 3,100-mile power wheelchair journey from California to Washington, D.C.
How he balances leading a nonprofit with building Loncaro Finnish Long Drink (https://loncaro.com/)
His vision for the future of rehabilitation and recovery
Whether you’re living with paralysis, navigating rehabilitation, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for a story of resilience and purpose, this conversation offers hope, practical insight, and inspiration.
Learn more about NextStep: https://www.nextstepfitness.org
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In this episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, host Mike Bolland interviews Danielle Robins, founder of Orthopaws, a company specializing in custom orthotics and prosthetics for pets. Discover how Orthopaws is transforming the lives of animals with mobility challenges, the technology behind their solutions, and inspiring success stories of pets regaining independence.
In this episode of We're Not Stumped, congenital amputee Mike Bolland dives into the disparities in prosthetic access highlighted by an article from The Conversation. While the Paralympics showcase cutting-edge prosthetics, many people with limb loss face barriers to even basic prosthetic care. Join Mike as he discusses the article's key points, the challenges of accessibility, and the real-world implications for people with disabilities. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation on the future of prosthetics and inclusive healthcare.
In this inspiring episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland shares a heartwarming story of a two-year-old Burnaby boy who raised nearly $400 to support fellow amputees. Mike also reflects on his own experiences volunteering at Camp No Limits, where he helped empower children with limb loss to thrive. Finally, Mike celebrates a major milestone for the podcast— reaching 75 episodes!
