How Adam Popp is Redefining Possibility as Ottobock’s Newest Ambassador
Veteran, Ultramarathoner, and Limit Redefiner
Ottobock is proud to introduce Adam Popp as the newest member of our ambassador team. Let’s welcome this powerful storyteller, seasoned endurance athlete, and decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who has made it his mission to show others what’s possible after limb loss.
Adam’s story began in service. After more than a decade in the military, he sustained life-altering injuries from an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan in 2007, resulting in the loss of his right leg above the knee. In the wake of that trauma, he faced a long, uncertain road: “When I was injured and left the military, it felt like my sense of purpose, community, and identity were stripped away,” he recalls. “I had to rebuild everything, from the ground up.”
That rebuild didn’t just bring him back to life, it propelled him into a new one.
Discovering a New Purpose Through Running
It wasn’t until nearly a decade post-injury that Adam found his new path. A running blade became more than just a mobility tool—it was a gateway to purpose, community, and healing.
“Running gave me a new story, a new community, and a new purpose,” Adam says. “The journey hasn’t been easy, but every step has taught me more about who I am and what I’m capable of.”
Since then, Adam has completed more than 30 marathons and ultramarathons, including the Boston Marathon and the historic JFK 50 Mile, where he made history as the first above-knee amputee to finish the race. In 2024, he ran two 100-milers, broke the 3-hour marathon barrier, and even set multiple treadmill world records. And he’s not done. 2025 has him eyeing mountainous terrain for even greater challenges.
Ottobock Prosthetics in Every Step
From his first prosthetic to his current setup (Ottobock’s Genium X4 knee paired with the Triton foot), Adam has trusted Ottobock to help him move forward. “Ottobock has been with me from the very beginning of my journey as an amputee,” he says.
That technology hasn’t just helped him compete; it’s helped him live fully. Whether it’s running for hours on remote trails, playing with his kids, or traveling the globe (he’s visited more than 50 countries), Adam relies on advanced prosthetic innovation to move freely and confidently.
“Without the advancements from Ottobock, I wouldn’t be able to run, hike, or even parent in the way I do now,” he explains. “Their technology has literally carried me through thousands of miles—both in running and in life.”
A Life Built on Growth, Grit, and Giving Back
For Adam, running is only one part of a bigger mission: to help others grow through adversity.
He spends his days balancing miles on the trail with coaching athletes, editing short films, advocating for fellow amputees, and being a dad. A lifelong learner with a passion for psychology and resilience, Adam also speaks to audiences across the country about the power of mindset, community, and action.
“I want to show others, especially those facing adversity, that they’re capable of more than they know,” he says. “Start by exploring who you are and what matters to you. Then pursue those things persistently. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take one small step in the direction of growth and keep showing up.”
Building an Inclusive Future for Adaptive Athletes
When Adam trained for his first ultramarathon nearly a decade ago, he could only find two other amputees pursuing similar goals. Now, he’s part of a growing network of more than 20 adaptive athletes pushing the limits in endurance sports. And the race world is starting to take notice.
Major events like the Boston Marathon and UTMB are beginning to develop adaptive athlete policies, creating more access and opportunity for runners like Adam. “The future is more inclusive,” he says, “and it’s just getting started.”
The Power of Consistency and Community
When asked to summarize his life philosophy, Adam keeps it simple: “Be curious, be consistent, learn, adapt, and keep showing up.”
It’s this mindset that fuels not only his running but also his coaching, mentoring, and role as a husband and father. He credits his wife Amanda as his most important teammate, someone who’s supported him through brutal races and life’s toughest moments.
“There’s no way I’d be where I am without her,” Adam says.
Leading by Example
As an Ottobock ambassador, Adam brings more than achievements, he brings action. Through events and storytelling, he shares his lived experience to empower others navigating limb difference, disability, or personal challenge.
“I believe the most powerful way to inspire change is through consistent action,” he says. “If someone sees me doing something they thought was impossible, maybe they’ll begin to question what’s possible for them, too.”
We’re honored to have Adam in the Ottobock family as an unstoppable force reshaping the future of adaptive sport, one mile at a time.