After more than 35 years away from professional bowling, I returned to compete in the PBA60 World Series of Bowling at age 61. I knew the odds weren’t in my favor. My body had changed. The equipment had changed. The competition had changed.
But this episode isn’t really about bowling.
It’s about the voice inside all of us that says we’re too old, too late, or not good enough to chase something that matters.
In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, I share the emotions behind my comeback, the challenges I faced on the lanes, and the unexpected lesson that came from finishing far below where I had hoped.
That lesson became a phrase I can’t stop thinking about:
Take the Shot Anyway.
Because you don’t need the perfect hand. You just need the courage to use the one you’ve got.
Whether you’re considering a career change, recovering from an injury, pursuing a dream, or simply trying something that scares you, I hope this episode gives you the encouragement to take your shot.
If you enjoy this episode, please follow We’re Not Stumped, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that it’s never too late to take a chance.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What does it really take to learn to walk again after an amputation? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes physical therapist John Lottes, DPT, Clinical Supervisor at First Step Physical Therapy and an adjunct professor who specializes in prosthetic rehabilitation. John shares how an unexpected career path led him to working with individuals with limb loss and explains why the biggest hurdle in recovery often isn't physical—it's confidence. Together, Mike and John discuss the importance of celebrating small victories, building trust with your rehabilitation team, and developing the mindset needed to regain independence.
Sometimes, the biggest changes don't happen in a lab—they happen with a few carefully chosen words. In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I want to personally thank the LN-4 Hand Project (https://ln4handproject.org/) for updating its mission statement to better reflect the entire upper limb limb loss community. For many years, organizations have understandably focused on a specific group of individuals. But recognizing and including everyone living with upper limb loss and limb difference sends a powerful message: you belong, your story matters, and you are seen. As someone born without a right hand, this change means a great deal to me personally, and I believe it represents an important step toward greater inclusion across our community.
What happens when disability advocates from across the country come together to shape the future of independent living and accessibility? In this solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I share my personal reflections after attending the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where I represented Ability360 as a member of its Board of Directors. From celebrating ADA36: We Won't Go Back to hearing powerful stories from advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the disability community, the conference reinforced why protecting and advancing disability rights remains so important.
