Restore To Explore

In this episode of the Restore to Explore podcast, Tom Williams interviews Patrick Gilbert, an athletic trainer and physical therapist with the Indiana Pacers. They discuss Patrick's journey into the NBA, the challenges of travel and scheduling in professional sports, and the importance of foot health and natural footwear for athletes. Patrick shares insights on building trust with players, integrating foot health into training, and the future of these practices in the NBA. He also offers advice for aspiring professionals in sports and shares his favourite footwear choices.

Follow Patrick on Instagram here.

Helpful Links & Discounts ⬇️

🦶 Discover your balance score in less than 10 minutes and get tailored training recommendations with our Foot Health Assessment: 👉 Take the assessment here

💪 Ready to rebuild your foundation?
Explore our 12-week Foot Restoration Program, the ultimate online system to restore strength, balance, and natural function. 👉 Foot Restoration Program Use code R2E10 for 10% off your order.

🛠️ Shop TFC Tools & Training
Everything you need to start your natural movement journey.
Use code R2E10 to save 10%.

👟 Shop Vivobarefoot
Natural, foot-shaped footwear designed for freedom and feel.
Use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
(Excludes Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic & Austria.)

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot ticks all the boxes when it comes to natural footwear: foot-shaped, fixed, flat, flexible, and designed to help you feel the ground.
Their mission to promote human and planetary health aligns perfectly with ours at TFC.

Ready to experience that same foot freedom?
👉 Shop Vivobarefoot and use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
Your feet and the planet will thank you. 🌱

Follow The Foot Collective

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, fitness, or treatment plans.

Music: Soundstripe.com

In this powerful conversation, Australian freediver Tara Rawson shares how she dove to 82 meters on a single breath and how the journey transformed far more than just her diving. From recovering after a torn Achilles to mastering breathwork, fear, and stillness, Tara reveals what deep diving has taught her about the body, the mind, and herself. Whether you’re into freediving, nervous system regulation, or simply human resilience, this episode dives deep (literally and metaphorically).

Follow Tara on Instagram here.

Helpful Links & Discounts ⬇️

🦶 Discover your balance score in less than 10 minutes and get tailored training recommendations with our Foot Health Assessment: 👉 Take the assessment here

💪 Ready to rebuild your foundation?
Explore our 12-week Foot Restoration Program, the ultimate online system to restore strength, balance, and natural function. 👉 Foot Restoration Program Use code R2E10 for 10% off your order.

🛠️ Shop TFC Tools & Training
Everything you need to start your natural movement journey.
Use code R2E10 to save 10%.

👟 Shop Vivobarefoot
Natural, foot-shaped footwear designed for freedom and feel.
Use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
(Excludes Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic & Austria.)

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot ticks all the boxes when it comes to natural footwear: foot-shaped, fixed, flat, flexible, and designed to help you feel the ground.
Their mission to promote human and planetary health aligns perfectly with ours at TFC.

Ready to experience that same foot freedom?
👉 Shop Vivobarefoot and use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
Your feet and the planet will thank you. 🌱

Follow The Foot Collective

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, fitness, or treatment plans.

Music: Soundstripe.com

In this conversation, Melanie shares her journey into physiotherapy and her insights on foot health, particularly focusing on bunions and hallux valgus. The discussion delves into the impact of footwear on foot health, the importance of understanding bunions, and the findings from Melanie's research on the causes and treatments of bunions. The conversation emphasizes the role of footwear in the development of bunions and offers practical advice for maintaining foot health.

You can read Melanie's research thesis here.

Helpful Links & Discounts ⬇️

🦶 Discover your balance score in less than 10 minutes and get tailored training recommendations with our Foot Health Assessment: 👉 Take the assessment here

💪 Ready to rebuild your foundation?
Explore our 12-week Foot Restoration Program, the ultimate online system to restore strength, balance, and natural function. 👉 Foot Restoration Program Use code R2E10 for 10% off your order.

🛠️ Shop TFC Tools & Training
Everything you need to start your natural movement journey.
Use code R2E10 to save 10%.

👟 Shop Vivobarefoot
Natural, foot-shaped footwear designed for freedom and feel.
Use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
(Excludes Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic & Austria.)

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot ticks all the boxes when it comes to natural footwear: foot-shaped, fixed, flat, flexible, and designed to help you feel the ground.
Their mission to promote human and planetary health aligns perfectly with ours at TFC.

Ready to experience that same foot freedom?
👉 Shop Vivobarefoot and use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 15% off your next pair.
Your feet and the planet will thank you. 🌱

Follow The Foot Collective

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, fitness, or treatment plans.

Music: Soundstripe.com

0:00 – Bunions: More Than Just Genetics?
0:48 – Why Natural Footwear Changed Everything
2:02 – Where to Start: The Free Foot Health Assessment
3:08 – Meet Melanie Prusker: Her Journey to Physio & Foot Health
4:28 – The Instagram Post That Changed Everything
5:59 – How Geriatric Care Opened Melanie’s Eyes to Feet
7:05 – Melanie’s Personal Foot Story & Lessons from Going Barefoot
8:11 – Treating Plantar Fasciitis in a Shoe-Centric Culture
9:54 – Why Education (and Foot Tracing!) Works with Patients
11:04 – What Exactly is a Bunion or Hallux Valgus?
12:15 – Research: Any Toe Deviation = Hallux Valgus
13:12 – Melanie’s Scoping Review of Bunion Research
20:04 – Study #1: Bunions Improve After 12 Weeks in Wide Shoes
25:03 – Study #2: Even Ancestors Develop Bunions in Modern Shoes
30:00 – Study #3: Bunions Rose as Traditional Shoes Declined in Japan
33:48 – Study #4: Twin Study – It's Not Just Genetics
39:13 – Study #5 & 6: Barefoot vs. Shod Populations
45:03 – The Final Verdict: Footwear’s Role in Bunions
46:39 – Why Foot Pain Wrecks Quality of Life
47:58 – Shoes Should Match Your Foot Shape – It’s That Simple
50:03 – Would You Wear Gloves All Day? Why We Do That to Feet
53:05 – Not Just Genetics: Many Factors Influence Bunions
54:49 – Surgery as a Last Resort – and When It Fails
57:00 – Rehab vs Surgery: When is Surgery Actually Needed?
59:01 – Melanie’s Final Advice: What You Can Start Doing Today
1:00:29 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Learn More

In this special Green Friday episode of the Restore to Explore Podcast, Mac Lyon sits down with Maximo Bottaro, founder of ReForest Now, to explore the urgent need for global reforestation and the incredible impact of planting trees. From the hidden biodiversity of Australia’s rainforests to the dangers of monoculture planting, Maximo shares eye-opening insights into the climate crisis — and how restoring native forests can change everything. They discuss how The Foot Collective’s partnership with ReForest Now is helping regenerate critically endangered ecosystems, why diversity matters in tree planting, and how every TFC order this week contributes to the planet’s health. If you care about foot health, earth health, and future generations, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Reforest Now on Instagram here.
Check out there website here.

Green Friday Is Live: Up to 50% Off + 1 Tree Planted Per Order 🌿

Our biggest sale ever is officially live.
Every online program and foot health kit is up to 50% off.

🛒 SHOP THE SALE →

🌱 And for every order placed this week, we’re planting one tree through our partnership with ReForest Now . You’re not just investing in your foot health, you’re investing in the planet’s health, too.



🌳 One Order = One Tree Planted

We've already planted 52,737 trees with ReForest Now.
This week, we're aiming for 55,000+.
Your order helps restore critically endangered rainforests and supports biodiversity efforts in Australia and beyond.

Sale ends Cyber Monday. Don’t miss it.

🦶 More Helpful Links

Take the Free Foot Health Assessment
Find your balance score in under 10 minutes and get tailored training recommendations.
👉 Take the assessment here

Explore the Foot Restoration Program
A full 12-week plan to rebuild your foundation.
👉 Foot Restoration Program

Shop TFC Tools & Training
The best tools for natural movement and daily foot care.
👉 Visit the Shop

In this episode of the Restore to Explore podcast, Founder of The Foot Collective, Nick. St Louis engages in a deep conversation with Chris Duffin - world-renowned powerlifter, author, and entrepreneur. Known for being the first person to deadlift over 1,000 pounds for multiple reps, Chris shares how foot strength and barefoot training played a critical role in achieving peak performance. They explore the deep connection between foot health and physical potential, as well as the challenges of building a footwear brand rooted in quality, sustainability, and human function. Chris also opens up about his personal journey, from a turbulent upbringing in the wilderness to becoming a respected leader in the fitness industry, highlighting the roles of resilience, innovation, and truth in both entrepreneurship and personal growth. The discussion dives into the future of footwear design and why a shift toward sustainable, foot-friendly shoes is long overdue.

Follow Chris on Instagram here.
Check out Chris's website here.

Helpful Links & Discounts ⬇️

🦶 Discover your balance score in less than 10 minutes and get tailored training recommendations with our Foot Health Assessment: 👉 Take the assessment here

💪 Ready to rebuild your foundation?
Explore our 12-week Foot Restoration Program, the ultimate online system to restore strength, balance, and natural function. 👉 Foot Restoration Program Use code R2E10 for 10% off your order.

🛠️ Shop TFC Tools & Training
Everything you need to start your natural movement journey.
Use code R2E10 to save 10%.

👟 Shop Vivobarefoot
Natural, foot-shaped footwear designed for freedom and feel.
Use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 20% off your next pair.
(Excludes Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic & Austria.)

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot ticks all the boxes when it comes to natural footwear: foot-shaped, fixed, flat, flexible, and designed to help you feel the ground.
Their mission to promote human and planetary health aligns perfectly with ours at TFC.

Ready to experience that same foot freedom?
👉 Shop Vivobarefoot and use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE for up to 20% off your next pair.
Your feet and the planet will thank you. 🌱

Follow The Foot Collective

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, fitness, or treatment plans.

Music: Soundstripe.com

0:00 – Kicking Off Barefoot: From Ranked Powerlifter to 1,000lb Deadlift
0:50 – Injury Sparked a Foot-Focused Deep Dive
2:34 – Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Why We Ignore Our Feet
3:40 – Intro to the Restore to Explore Podcast
5:03 – Meet Chris Duffin: Author, Entrepreneur, Powerlifting Legend
6:02 – The Eagle and The Dragon: Chris’s Story of Resilience
8:01 – Growing Up Barefoot in the Wilderness
10:04 – Rediscovering Foot Strength Through Injury
11:05 – The Foot-Body Connection Explained
13:25 – From Injured Lifter to World #1
14:26 – Why Weak Feet Hold You Back
15:00 – “Where’s the Science?” Debunking the Foot Health Myths
18:16 – The 1,000lb Barefoot Deadlift: A Performance Enhancement
20:00 – The Hidden Opportunity in Training Feet
23:02 – Footwear as Load Management: Tools, Not Crutches
24:56 – The Hard Reality of Starting a Shoe Brand
27:42 – Footwear as a Tool: Designing for the Right Job
30:54 – Made in North America: The First USA-Made Minimalist Boot
33:29 – Marketing in a Crowded Market: Competing with Giants
36:41 – Why Quality Still Wins
39:03 – Investing in Quality: Why Cheap Shoes Cost More
42:00 – Resilience and Longevity: The Barefoot Brand Ethos
46:31 – The Steel-Toe Boot Problem in Trades
51:09 – Building Boots From First Principles
55:01 – The Ursa: Barefoot Athletics' Performance Flagship
57:04 – Is Foot Health Finally Going Mainstream?
59:46 – Footwear Needs a Fashion Moment
1:01:00 – Quality, Longevity, and Doing It Right
1:02:35 – Advice for Aspiring Footwear Entrepreneurs
1:04:53 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Chris Duffin