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.
Marc also shares why amputee athletes should be treated as athletes first — not charity cases — and his vision for future prosthetic innovation.
Mike also introduces Enable Review, a platform where amputees can share honest experiences about prosthetists to help others navigating limb loss find better care.
This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, sport, leadership, and redefining what’s possible.
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In this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Tim Balz, founder and CEO of Kalogon, (https://www.kalogon.com) to discuss how cutting-edge technology is improving mobility and independence for wheelchair users. Mike and Tim also explore the challenges of starting a company in the accessibility space, the importance of inclusive design, and how Kalogon is working alongside healthcare professionals and wheelchair users to bring life-changing innovations to the mobility community. Tune in for an insightful conversation about innovation, advocacy, and the future of assistive technology. Whether you're a wheelchair user, a caregiver, or simply interested in groundbreaking advancements in mobility, this episode is packed with valuable insights!
In this episode of We're Not Stumped, we highlight incredible stories of resilience, generosity, and community support. We begin with Jeanette Ingram, an Oklahoma amputee who lost her electric wheelchair in a fire but regained mobility thanks to the kindness of Stacy Reddig. Next, we share the heroic efforts of Ohio police officers who rescued a stranded double-amputee Army veteran facing freezing temperatures. Finally, we spotlight Turnstone, a nonprofit empowering people with disabilities through adaptive sports, therapy, and advocacy. These inspiring stories remind us of the profound impact of generosity, quick action, and organizations dedicated to inclusion.
A must listen! In this dynamic episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Jessica Cox, a pioneering pilot, martial artist, and motivational speaker born without arms. Jessica shares her journey of overcoming challenges, embracing independence, and inspiring others worldwide. She reflects on her childhood, the support of her parents, and her decision to forgo prosthetics in favor of using her feet. She recounts her fight to regain her driver’s license after unfair scrutiny, a moment that reinforced her resilience. Jessica also discusses earning her black belt in Taekwondo and becoming the world’s first armless pilot—turning fear into empowerment. Through her nonprofit, Right Footed Foundation International, Jessica mentors children without arms, encouraging them to chase their dreams. Looking ahead, she aims to build her own plane for greater independence. This episode is a testament to determination, self-belief, and living without limits. Don’t miss this powerful conversation!
