Category: Blog

On this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski welcomes Katy Grainger, a sepsis survivor whose life changed forever in the span of just a few days. What began as a small cut on her thumb quickly escalated into septic shock, organ failure, and a medically induced coma. When Katy awoke, she faced the unimaginable reality of losing both legs below the knee and the tips of nearly all her fingers.

Her journey, however, is not defined by loss, but by the strength and purpose she discovered in its wake. Today, Katy is one of the nation’s most passionate advocates for sepsis awareness, a leader in the amputee community, and a living example of how resilience can turn tragedy into a mission.

In this powerful conversation, Rick and Katy explore the critical moments that saved her life, the emotional and physical realities of being a multiple amputee, and the urgency of knowing the signs of sepsis. This is more than an interview, it’s a wake-up call and a testament to the power of grit, hope, and purpose.

What does it take to return to one of the most physically demanding jobs on earth, after losing your leg? In this unforgettable episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Michael Laughlin, Canada’s first amputee firefighter, whose story is as courageous as the job he’s reclaimed.

After a devastating motorcycle accident resulted in the loss of his leg, Michael faced a question few could answer: Could he ever return to the firehouse? With grit, heart, and relentless determination, he not only returned, he made history. Rick and Michael dive into the mental and physical road to recovery, the battle to be seen as capable in a world full of doubt, and what it means to redefine strength on your own terms.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever been told “you can’t.”

The AMP’D UP211 Podcast is where amputees and adaptive warriors come to tell the truth, and Michael Laughlin’s truth will leave you fired up.

In this powerful episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Parker Byrd, a standout athlete, college baseball player, and the first NCAA Division I player to compete with a prosthetic leg. After a life-altering boating accident took his leg, Parker defied every odd and returned to the field with more grit and heart than ever before. His story isn’t just about sports, it’s about identity, resilience, and the unshakable belief that your purpose doesn’t disappear when your circumstances change.

Rick, an amputee himself and the voice behind AMP’D UP211, brings empathy and realness to the conversation, asking the questions only someone who’s lived through limb loss can ask. This podcast was built to elevate the voices of amputees, athletes, and those who have turned adversity into power, and Parker Byrd is all of that and more.

If you’re looking for motivation, perspective, or just a damn good story, this is the episode that will light a fire in you.

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.
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Recorded live at the 2025 Limb Preservation Foundation Symposium in Golden Colorado, 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 in the Limb Loss community. 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.