What does it take to stare down adversity and keep climbing, literally?

In this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host and creator Rick Bontkowski sits down with Tom Jalinski, a bilateral below-the-knee amputee who refused to let limb loss define his limits. Tom takes us deep into the mental and physical grind of becoming an endurance hiker post-amputation, detailing the trails he's conquered, the pain he’s endured, and the mindset that keeps him moving forward.

From rocky paths to life’s roughest terrain, Tom's journey is a blueprint for perseverance. Whether you're an amputee, athlete, or just someone trying to push past personal limits, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

What happens when determination outweighs despair?

In this powerful episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Mark Ksobiech, an amputee who lost over 250 pounds and reclaimed his life in the face of overwhelming challenges. Mark opens up about the emotional and physical transformation that reshaped his identity, his health, and his purpose.

This isn’t just a story about weight loss—it’s about rediscovering hope, confronting addiction, and choosing to fight for the life you deserve. Mark’s journey is raw, relatable, and deeply inspiring for anyone in the limb loss community or beyond.

The AMP’D UP211 Podcast is created and hosted by Rick Bontkowski, a drummer, amputee, and advocate for resilience and self-discovery. Each episode brings together powerful voices from the limb loss and disability community, ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Listen. Share. Be inspired.

#limblossawareness #amputeecoalition #weightlossjourney

Part 2 of this special live series brings you straight to the heart of the 2025 Limb Preservation Foundation Symposium, where leaders in medicine, technology, advocacy, and lived experience come together to reshape the future of limb care.

Hosted and created by Rick Bontkowski, The AMP’D UP211 Podcast continues its mission to amplify voices from the limb loss and limb difference community, this time from the main stage in Denver.

In this episode, four remarkable guests join us to share their powerful stories and groundbreaking work:

• Gini Thomas – After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident, Gini made the bold decision to pursue osseointegration. Her journey is a testament to advocacy, autonomy, and second chances.
• Mike Bolland – Born without a right hand, Mike is a professional bowler and the creator of We're Not Stumped, a podcast that brings humor, awareness, and authenticity to disability storytelling.
• Lera Doederlein – Once a child in a Russian orphanage, now a Paralympic athlete. Lera's story spans continents, challenges, and triumphs as she redefines what’s possible through sport and resilience.
• Dr. Aadeel Akhtar – A visionary in neuroprosthetics and the founder of PSYONIC, Dr. Akhtar is revolutionizing the way we think about prosthetic limbs—making them more intuitive, lifelike, and accessible.

This episode captures the spirit of the symposium, education, empowerment, and community. Whether you’re an amputee, clinician, caregiver, or curious listener, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action.

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and all major platforms.
Subscribe and follow to stay connected with future episodes of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast.

Recorded live at the 2025 Limb Preservation Foundation Symposium in Denver, this is Part 1 of a powerful two-part AMP’D UP211 series that captures the energy, advocacy, and innovation driving the future of limb loss and limb preservation.

Hosted by amputee and podcast creator Rick Bontkowski, this special episode puts you in the room with three trailblazers who are each reshaping the way we think about mobility, identity, and resilience:

Cam Ayala – After gaining national attention on The Bachelorette, Cam has emerged as a powerful voice for lymphedema awareness and life after limb loss. His story is raw, real, and deeply human.

Dr. Connor Glass – As the founder of Phantom Neuro, Dr. Glass is revolutionizing prosthetic limb control through cutting-edge neurotechnology. He shares how his work is bringing lifelike movement and autonomy to those living with limb difference.

Angelina Martinson – A biomedical engineer and Paralympic hopeful, Angelina is using her lived experience to fuel change in how prosthetics are developed, discussed, and delivered. Her perspective is both personal and profoundly inspiring.

This conversation was made possible by The Limb Preservation Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing research, treatment, and hope for those at risk of limb loss. Their 2025 Symposium brought together leading voices from across the medical, advocacy, and amputee communities, and AMP’D UP211 was honored to be part of it.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next for limb loss advocacy, innovation, and community—this episode is your front-row seat.

Tune in now for Part 1. Part 2 drops soon.

What does it take to change a life with the gift of mobility?

In this inspiring episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski, a right below-knee amputee, and passionate advocate, sits down with Randy Titony, Executive Director of the Limbs for Life Foundation.

Randy shares the powerful story behind Limbs for Life’s mission to provide prosthetic limbs to individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford them. From heartfelt success stories to the behind-the-scenes realities of running a national nonprofit, Randy offers a rare and motivating look at how one organization is restoring hope, independence, and dignity, one step at a time.

Whether you're part of the limb loss community, know someone who is, or just want to hear a story about resilience, compassion, and action, you won’t want to miss this episode.

#limblossawareness #prosthesis #amputee #prostheticleg #limbsforlife

Meet Jason Barnes, the drummer who defied the odds after losing his arm in an accident. He didn’t just return to drumming… he revolutionized it. With the help of cutting-edge robotics and pure grit, Jason now plays with a bionic arm and is pushing the boundaries of human potential.

In honor of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this episode isn’t just about music; it’s about resilience, reinvention, and the power of passion when the world says, "You can’t."

Hosted by Rick Bontkowski, a right below-the-knee amputee, drummer, and creator of AMP'D UP211, this episode brings two worlds together in rhythm: the human spirit and next-level technology.

Don’t miss it. Streaming April 15th on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

This is more than a podcast. This is the beat of what’s possible.

What happens when life throws you a challenge that changes everything? For Travis Sanders, losing his leg wasn’t the end but the beginning of a powerful new chapter. In this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, Travis shares his resilience journey, from learning to navigate life as an amputee to thriving as a master barber, business owner, and mentor.

Travis opens up about the struggles of stepping back into a profession where skill and appearance mean everything, how he adapted to life behind the chair, and the mindset shift that kept him moving forward. He also shares why he took over Lansing Barber College when it was on the brink of closing, what it takes to build a legacy and the advice he gives to amputees and entrepreneurs who want to carve their path.

This conversation is raw, real, and packed with inspiration. Whether you’re facing a personal setback, chasing a dream, or just looking for motivation, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and push past your limits.

The AMP’D UP211 Podcast is hosted by Rick Bontkowski, a Right Below-Knee Amputee, Drummer, Author, and Corporate Executive.

On this episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski, a right below-the-knee (RBK) amputee, sits down with the unstoppable Woody Roseland. From surviving cancer six times to turning pain into punchlines, Woody has redefined resilience with humor, hustle, and an unbreakable spirit.

How did he go from battling cancer to commanding stages as a motivational speaker and comedian? What lessons has he learned about grit, growth, and finding purpose in the unexpected? And how does he keep laughing through it all?

Get ready for an episode packed with raw honesty, hard-hitting truths, and a whole lot of laughs. Let's get AMP'D UP with Woody Roseland!