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.
They also explore:
- Why confidence is the foundation of successful rehabilitation
- The small wins that lead to life-changing progress
- Common frustrations people experience after amputation
- How physical therapists, prosthetists, physicians, and caregivers work together
- The patient story that shaped John’s career
- Why human connection will always matter, even as AI transforms healthcare
Whether you’re living with limb loss, supporting a loved one, or working in rehabilitation, this episode offers practical advice, encouragement, and a reminder that recovery is about far more than learning to use a prosthesis.
About Our Guest
John Lottes is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinical Supervisor at First Step Physical Therapy (https://www.1ststeppt.com/), and an adjunct professor at Touro University (http://touro.edu) who teaches future physical therapists. He specializes in lower-limb prosthetic rehabilitation and has dedicated his career to helping people regain mobility, confidence, and independence after amputation.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Karen Morales, a wheelchair user and leader of Fora Travel's Accessibility Initiative, to discuss how the travel industry can become more inclusive for everyone. After becoming a wheelchair user in 2020, Karen quickly discovered that planning an accessible trip often meant endless phone calls, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about whether hotels, transportation, and attractions would truly meet her needs. Rather than accepting those challenges, she helped create an initiative that's training hundreds of travel advisors to better serve travelers with disabilities and other accessibility needs.
What if success isn't measured by where you finish—but by having the courage to start? 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 been dealt.
What happens when people underestimate your potential your entire life—and you refuse to let them define your future? In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I sit down with Denny Burke, a licensed master social worker, disability advocate, and speaker who has spent his life proving that disability does not determine what someone can achieve. Growing up legally blind and facing additional disabilities, Denny endured bullying, low expectations, and barriers that could have shaped the rest of his life. Instead, with the encouragement of mentors and his own determination, he became the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college and is now dedicated to helping others find their voice through self-advocacy and social work.
