Benefits of Barefoot Movement with Shoe Entrepreneur, Mountain Chang

Hippiecritical: New Age Trends, Alternative Health and Hippie Lifestyles

This episode is packed with interesting nuggets about the benefits and misconceptions about barefoot movement and barefoot shoes. I chat with Mountain Chang, a CPA turned founder of the barefoot shoe company, Carets. Carets makes classy high end dress shoes - think Allen Edmonds - but with barefoot features like a zero drop design and wider toe box.

(I don't receive a commission for this: you can use the coupon code 2019hippiecritical for $30 off if you shop at Carets.)

In this episode, we talk about...

• The interesting origins of barefoot movement
• Benefits of barefoot movement and why barefoot shoes exist
• Why the "standard" approach to shoe design - cushioning, heels, space - is not designed for the human foot to have full range of motion. (Explains why higher heels are especially bad for the foot - not just for women.)
• Common misconceptions of barefoot running, such as blisters and places to run

Other resources mentioned:

• Book that started the barefoot running craze: Born to Run
• POSE method of running: Youtube video and Pose Method Website
• Other barefoot shoe brands mentioned: Vivobarefoot, Lems, Softstar
• Ninja shoes ("Jika-tabi") and why they're often used by Japanese construction workers
• Upright Health Youtube Channel
• Mark's Daily Apple - popular and super informative health blog
• Join Carets Mailing List
• Check out Carets' interview (blog post) with Dr Emily Splichal, creator of Naboso Insoles.
• The Motor Quotient ("MQ")
• Carets donates 1% of profits to Heifer International, a nonprofit that provides "livestock and training in sustainable agricultural and business practices to create the most opportunity for...communities.

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Credits:

Intro music: "Good Tone" by Nordgroove from Fugue

Outro music: "Sincerely" by Kevin Macleod

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