Arizona man with limb loss aims to return to professional bowling at 61

Mike Bolland has never called himself unable.

The 61-year-old man made history decades ago as the first person with limb loss to bowl on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour. Now, after more than 30 years away from professional competition, he is training to do it again.

Bolland was born without his right hand. He said in the 1970s, when he was 8 years old, he raised that arm during casting for the movie,

He showed filmmakers his limb difference and landed the role.

That was just the beginning of a life defined by breaking barriers.

Over the years, Bolland has served on the boards of multiple disability advocacy organizations, survived cancer, became a motivational speaker, a one-time comedian, and launched the

podcast, which is more than 200 episodes in and dedicated to the limb loss and disability communities.

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His return to competitive bowling was sparked by volunteer work at a bowling alley with Arizona Disabled Sports. When fellow bowlers took notice of his skill, he came clean about his history.

"They were like, 'I think you've done this before,' then I came clean a little bit and said I was the first person with limb loss to bowl on the PBA tour," said Bolland.

Recently, he put out a video explaining his return to professional bowling.

He describes himself as a "practice-aholic" these days, working toward a 60-plus PBA event in Ohio in early July. He says he always wanted to compete again after beating cancer, but helping others bowl pushed him toward one more professional run.

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"What I'm really looking to do is prove that it's not about age, it's not about what you start with, what you work with to start with. Continue to set goals for yourself and continue to not limit yourself. That will make me feel better," added Bolland.