Founders of Stroke.Fitness

1. Linda Radestad

Background & story
Linda Radestad, originally from Sweden, was 43 when she suffered a severe stroke in April 2016. She was an entrepreneur and mother of three when it happened. After the stroke, she faced complete paralysis on her left side and loss of speech.

Instead of accepting traditional prognoses, she applied her natural analytic and problem-solving instincts to her own recovery and then to helping others. She authored Stroke Rebel and Stroke Rebel 2, telling her story and presenting a roadmap of what she calls “out-of-the-box” stroke recovery methods.

Mission & contribution
Linda’s vision is that “even if you have tried everything, much more is possible.” Her personal journey grounds the work of Stroke.Fitness: she does not just speak from theory, but from lived experience of recovery.

In her role she:

Translates complex neuroscience into practical tools and habit shifts for stroke survivors.
Invent machines that help stroke survivors perform repetitive, correct quadrupedal (four-limbed) exercises is exactly the kind of approach that can drive neuroplastic recovery.
Co-develops the training programs which blend physical, neurological and lifestyle-elements.
A communicator and motivator — helping survivors and their families believe in additional recovery potential.

2. Dr. Arjan Kuipers

Background & story

Dr Arjan Kuipers hails from the Netherlands. He studied chiropractic in the UK (1988-1992) and later specialised in functional neurology and clinical neuroscience (USA, Carrick Institute).

His motivation arose early: his mother suffered from brain-stem migraines after head injuries, and later his daughter was diagnosed with autism. These personal experiences steered him into brain injury, developmental neurology, and stroke rehabilitation.

For over 35 years, he has worked in clinics (UK, Netherlands, Norway, Cyprus) focusing on brain and spine rehabilitation, neuro-orthopedics, and postural/neurological training.

- Clear, scientifically grounded content and training tools for stroke survivors and their support network.
- A supportive community mindset: you are more than a patient, and there is a “next step” to explore.
  - Hope beyond the plateau: Traditional rehab often suggests a fixed window for recovery; their message is that meaningful improvements remain possible long after.
  - Whole-brain, whole-body approach: Rather than focusing only on the limb weakness or standard exercise, they emphasise underlying neuro-motor circuits, posture, balance, cross-crawling, and developmental patterns.
  - Innovation ahead of mainstream care: They often refer to “science-based solutions far before regular healthcare can do so.”
  - Personal empowerment: Linda’s own recovery journey reinforces the idea that survivors can take an active role; it’s not just “waiting for therapy” but actively engaging with possibilities.
    
    Transparent communication: we do not claim a miracle for everyone, but we aim to open pathways that conventional care may not yet fully explore.
    Mission & contribution
    Dr Kuipers brings the scientific and clinical depth to the Stroke.Fitness platform. His role includes:
    - Designing exercise and neuromotor programmes grounded in neuroscience (e.g., spinal/brainstem circuit re-engagement, cross-lateral movement)
    - Translating emerging research about neuroplasticity, motor recovery and developmental patterns into practical therapy steps.
    - Coaching, mentoring, and overseeing the rehabilitation programmes offered under the Stroke.Fitness / Brain Rehab umbrella.
    - Published Research (2025):
      1. Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: Neurophysiology Processes of Bilateral Movement Training and Interlimb Coupling — A Systematic Review. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14113757
      2. Reconnecting Brain Networks After Stroke: A Scoping Review of Conventional, Neuromodulatory, and Feedback-Driven Rehabilitation Approaches. DOI: 10.20944/preprints202509.2370.v1

1. Linda Radestad

2. Dr. Arjan Kuipers

Two Step