In this episode, Vincent and Dr. Joe discuss rehabilitation and gait with Dr. Nicole Pandak, physical therapist from the Gait Center. At the Gait Center, the focus is on a return to functional movement by meeting the specialized needs of individuals with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities that limit their abilities to move naturally. Dr. Pandak talks about the benefits of minimalist footwear, reconnecting the brain to the feet, and the benefits of massage and splay foot exercises. 

Don’t Put Your Shoes On

After growing up on a farm and attending college in a beach town, it wasn’t until he was a working professional that Dr. Daniel Howell came to understand the discomfort of traditional shoes. So, he kicked them off. He used his background in anatomy and science to explore the phenomena of barefoot running and hiking and earned the name: The Barefoot Professor. 

When students began to question his lack of footwear, Dr. Howell began to venture into answering why he naturally gravitated toward keeping his feet uncovered. The Barefoot Book is the result of his curiosity and research into the barefoot lifestyle. 

“Kids are constantly being told, ‘Put your shoes on.’” Dr. Howell discusses the social expectations taught in Western society versus the natural inclination to walk barefoot, and how the plasticity of the body adapting to footwear is part of the problem. In this interview, Dr. Howell, Vincent, and Dr. Joe discuss the benefits of natural movement and minimalist footwear, the harm that can result from a lifetime of wearing traditional shoes, the myth of Arch Support, as well as the benefits of building stronger, healthier feet. 

In this episode retired NFL player, Dontay Moch, discusses what it’s like to train as a flat-footed athlete. Dontay started by training in twelve different sports before being recruited to play college football for the University of Nevada where he set WAC career records. Dontay went on to break and hold the 40-yard dash NFL Combine record at 4.44 seconds and was drafted by Cincinnati Bengals. 

Blowing out of his Chuck Taylors inspired Dontay to dip his toe into the barefoot training lifestyle. 

His barefoot journey began with weightlifting and performance training as a flat-footed guy with a muscle arch. Then, he noticed more controlled movement and strength. Later in his career as an NFL athlete, Dontay recovered from a foot injury and welcomed a journey into natural healing and optimal wellness. Dontay began to study reflexology and how the muscles and engagement of one’s feet improves overall health. 

“I believed in the gripping and structure of my feet. Ever since then, it domino affected my knees, my hips, my back, and engagement to where I was allowed to gain weight, gain muscle mass, keep my flexibility… I felt like I was more rooted to the ground and knew the placement of where I was going versus having some type of cushion absorbing and taking and rebounding that energy force…” 

Dontay went on to develop and establish Dontay’s Inferno Performance. This is a place that focuses on health and wellness in a way that incorporates everything to help people reach their fullest potential and train like a professional. This is the place where, “your inner strength needs to match your outer strength.” 

Listen in as Dontay describes his favorite exercise, the Inferno Get-Up, his all-time favorite cheat meal, and what he believes is the most important aspect of health. 

You can find Dontay on all social media and more information about his gym at: www.inferno.fit. 

Instagram: @infernoperformanceaz

Facebook: @infernoperformance

Twitter: @dontaymoch