Major Ed Pulido, founder of the John Daly-Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation.
By Rick Bontkowski
On The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Major Ed Pulido, a man whose story deeply resonated with me as a fellow amputee. Major Ed, a retired U.S. Army Major, survived a devastating IED explosion in Iraq that led to the loss of his leg.
Hearing him share his journey of recovery and resilience reminded me of the shared challenges we face as amputees, yet it also highlighted the unique strength that comes from serving others even after enduring personal trauma.
During our conversation, Major Ed spoke about how he turned his struggles into a mission of service. As the Founder of the John Daly-Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation, he supports veterans, first responders, and their families, using his own experiences to inspire hope. His work with the Warriors for Freedom Foundation and Folds of Honor has also impacted countless lives, providing scholarships and resources to those who have sacrificed for our country.
What stood out most to me was Major Ed’s relentless drive to help others, a theme he expands on in his book, Warrior for Freedom: Challenge, Triumph, and Change. His story serves as a powerful reminder that, while our journeys as amputees may be filled with adversity, they can also be filled with purpose and triumph.
You can hear Major Ed Pulido’s full story, along with other inspiring episodes, on The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, where I explore the incredible resilience of the limb loss community through my own lens as an amputee.
Rick Bontkowski, a Chicago native and amputee, is the host creator of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast. A drummer, cyclist, and advocate, Rick shares the stories of people with limb differences to inspire, inform, and challenge perceptions worldwide. Contact info: Ampup211@gmail.com, ampup211.com, youtube.com/@theampdup211podcast6, instagram.com/rick_bontkowski.
