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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Join host Mike Bolland, a one-handed advocate for resilience and adaptability, in this episode of "We're Not Stumped" as he discusses three uplifting stories about the amputee community and the future of prosthetics. Artificial Limbs Market, Community Volunteers Help Double Amputee and Amputees Break World Record in Climbing Event.
Join congenital right hand amputee host Mike Bolland in this episode of "We're Not Stumped," where we dive into three incredible stories of amputees who have defied the odds and achieved remarkable feats: The First Female Double Amputee to Earn a Colorado CDL, 12-Year-Old's Journey After 30 Surgeries and A Race Champion’s New Journey.
