Scott Martin returns to the We’re Not Stumped Podcast for a powerful follow-up conversation with host Mike Bolland.
Scott shares the story of the life-threatening illness he survived in 1993 that resulted in the amputation of his hands and feet, and the long journey of rebuilding his life afterward. From facing discrimination and depression to rediscovering confidence and purpose, Scott reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of life after limb loss.
Mike and Scott also discuss Scott’s journey with prosthetics — from initially resisting prosthetic hooks to eventually using myoelectric hands — along with the challenges of insurance approvals, repairs, and finding prosthetists who truly listen to their patients.
The conversation also highlights Scott’s upcoming book, Play From Your Heart, releasing June 9 through Simon & Schuster (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Play-From-Your-Heart/Scott-Martin/9798894410395). Inspired by his love of soccer and his experience coaching a team of 12-year-olds to a state championship, the book shares lessons about leadership, resilience, trust, and the power of playing — and living — from the heart.
Scott’s story is a powerful reminder that even after life-changing adversity, it’s possible to rebuild your life, rediscover purpose, and move forward with strength and determination.
Hosted by congenital amputee Mike Bolland, We’re Not Stumped shares real conversations with amputees, caregivers, prosthetists, and advocates working to support the limb loss and disability communities.
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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.
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.
What happens when lived experience meets entrepreneurship? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Owen Kent, an entrepreneur living with muscular dystrophy who is reshaping the future of assistive technology. After facing limited access to effective rehabilitation tools, Owen co-founded a company to develop a simple, home-based exoskeleton designed to make recovery more accessible. From customer discovery and design thinking to universal design principles, Owen shares how building technology for underserved communities requires more than innovation — it requires empathy.
