In this deeply moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Scott Martin, a bilateral hand amputee, soccer coach, and author of the upcoming memoir Play From Your Heart. Scott opens up about the life-altering infection in 1993 that led to the loss of both hands and parts of his feet, and the emotional aftermath that followed. He speaks honestly about denial, detachment, and the five-year struggle with depression that tested his identity, confidence, and purpose.
Despite unimaginable challenges, Scott refused to step away from the game he loved. He continued coaching soccer using adaptive equipment, determination, humor, and grit—doing everything he could to show up for his players while still processing his trauma internally. Eventually, his journey intersected with advanced prosthetics research, leading him to Johns Hopkins to test cutting-edge myoelectric prosthetic technology. Scott offers powerful insight into what works, what doesn’t, and why technology must always stay grounded in real human needs.
Scott also shares the emotional turning points that helped him heal, including his mother’s unwavering encouragement and the mindset shift that allowed him to rebuild his life. His story eventually led him back to the soccer field, where he coached a youth team to a state championship and rediscovered purpose, leadership, and community. That experience inspired his book, Play From Your Heart, which speaks to the disability community, the soccer world, and anyone who has ever had to rebuild life after loss.
This conversation is about resilience, identity, mental health, disability advocacy, and what it truly means to adapt and keep moving forward. Scott reminds us that healing takes time, purpose can look different than we imagined, and strength often shows up when we need it most.
If you’re part of the amputee or limb difference community, a caregiver, an athlete, or someone navigating your own life challenges, Scott Martin’s story will stay with you long after you listen.
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The Amputee Coalition is undergoing another major transition with the resignation of President & CEO Cass Isidro, who announced her last day will be August 22nd. In her farewell message, Isidro stated that her work had been about “restoring the Amputee Coalition to its original purpose with deeper community engagement.” That statement raises difficult questions: 👉 Why did the Coalition need to be “restored” in the first place? 👉 Has the organization lost focus on directly serving amputees? 👉 What does this leadership change mean for peer support, advocacy, and resources moving forward? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives into the resignation news, shares community concerns, and examines whether the Amputee Coalition is truly on track to support the limb loss and limb difference community—or if amputees should be worried about its direction. Listeners are invited to join the conversation as the podcast takes on tough questions about the Coalition’s mission, leadership, and future.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Meegan Winters, CEO and founder of AbleVu, the innovative accessibility search platform making the world easier to navigate for everyone. Meegan shares her inspiring journey—from special education teacher to tech entrepreneur—and how her friendship with Jessica, a power wheelchair user, sparked her mission to improve accessibility for all. Mike and Meegan explore AbleVu’s evolution from virtual tours to a “TripAdvisor for accessibility,” the business model that empowers contributors, and why accessible information benefits both consumers and businesses. Along the way, Meegan opens up about leaving a stable career, overcoming the challenges of building a startup, and the fulfillment that comes from creating real-world impact. Discover how technology and empathy intersect to make the world more inclusive.
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/
