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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What’s the difference between being born with a limb difference and losing a limb later in life? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland (born without a right hand) breaks down the emotional, physical, and social differences between congenital limb loss and adult amputation—two very different starting points that often lead to the same powerful resilience. Mike shares personal experiences, insights from recent guest interviews like Stevia Walker (who became an amputee in 2023), and stories from others who’ve learned to adapt and thrive no matter how their journey began. Whether you’ve lived with a limb difference your whole life, recently became an amputee, or support someone who has—this episode is for you.
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