MFP Education Center

The Barefoot Boom

Over the last few years, it’s likely that you have been exposed to conversations about the significance of foot health and function. Going further, you probably have seen people – either at the gym or on social media – wearing “minimalist” barefoot shoes. And of course, if you are familiar with MFP training cycles, you’re aware of our routine emphasis on “no shoe days.”

It certainly is a movement! Over the last two years, the conversation regarding barefoot training has grown significantly. However, understand that this is not a new science. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We have always been aware of our foot health factoring into performance and physical activity. What is new is our newfound curiosity about the subject. We are significantly more invested and interested in prioritizing foot health than ever before. Many like me (and you!) are fiercely curious about achieving wholistic health in the truest sense. We are living through what I call “the barefoot boom.”

Our newfound curiosity in foot health reflects our overall mission to increase both lifespan and healthspan. Experts in the health and wellness fields recognized a problem – we have been negatively impacting our foot health and function through various stimuli (ex: shoes) and have been taking our foot health for granted. By becoming more “civilized,” we’ve placed an emphasis on fashion over function. The shoes we wear, for training and for life, oftentimes are dysfunctional. They restrict and prevent our feet from being strong, healthy, and balanced.

But fear not fellow foot freedom fighter…the “boom” is about acknowledging this and embracing foot health. It is about getting curious about how we can live better and longer by enhancing foot function.

If you are new to the ideologies of barefoot training, I understand that it can seem overwhelming and even confusing. Don’t get lost in the weeds, especially with all the conflicting information that exists online. I have been learning and applying barefoot techniques to my training for years, and it’s my goal to help you understand what foot function is, why it’s important, and how to put it into practice.

To start, let’s go back in time. I encourage you to practice some mindfulness and put yourself… in my feet.

Summer 2007: My First Barefoot Experience.

I was 15 years old preparing for an opportunity to start as a sophomore for my high school football team. My first strength and conditioning coach, Kevin Miller, had our team do barefoot sprints on the turf. I will never forget that feeling. It was like I was floating on clouds. Always a mindful athlete, even when I was young, I was immediately fascinated. My curiosity was heightened due to this feeling that my feet were more “activated” than ever before. At that moment in 2007, I knew that there was something special to barefoot training. 

Note: Coach Kev is now the Sports Performance Director for Villanova University. They are in great hands! He still emphasizes barefoot training for not just performance, but for longevity. Photo: I am at the far left.

Spring 2010: First Yoga Session 

I remember doing my very first legitimate yoga class with a wise yogi at a special studio. Immediately I was curious to explore yoga in its entirety, and eventually, I joined a class at a studio called Open Center Yoga. Initially, I thought it would be great to help me with stretching and mobility since I was a big, tough, strong, and somewhat stiff athlete seeking better performance. My sister took me to a Saturday morning class, and I will never forget it. It was a barefoot journey for my mind, body, soul, and feet! It reminded me of that initial barefoot feeling – especially since I had not done any barefoot training since 2007. I walked out of the class and calmly expressed to my sister “I think I am high,” as I felt recovered and rejuvenated from a hard week of training.

Note: Lorean still brings physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing to her community in Bristol, PA.

Summer 2012: Joining CrossFit West Chester

A few weeks into my CrossFit journey, I attended an anniversary event for my first fitness home, CrossFit West Chester. The anniversary workout was called…”Fight Gone Bad,” IYKYK. Jimmy Wiser, 1 of 4 owners via 2012, had this raw, barefoot, shirt-off, primal flow. Crushing box jumps, squats, and even hopping into the rower ergometer raw and ready. His performance always stuck with me. That primal resiliency with barefoot training continued to reframe my thoughts about how the foot could easily tolerate what (at the time) looked uncomfortable.

Note: CrossFit West Chester just turned 14 years old! The Legends of Steve Wakefoose, Jimmy Wiser, , and Jenny Butler are continuing to provide gold-standard community service. Many amazing memories that will be saved for another article! Also, check out the “old school” minimalist shoe in the photo. Sitting next to me is Coach Cam, one of my first CrossFit mentors. He was already ahead of the Barefoot Boom.

2011-2014: Healing without Shoes

Barefoot became a norm during my healing journey from Leukemia. I was guided on this journey by my mentor, spirit guide, and just AMAZING HUMAN, Alison Donley. Alison is a legendary yoga teacher and trainer from West Chester University. She’s truly my guardian angel and additionally, I see her as a mother figure. She has been there to guide me and mentor me through so much. Words can’t even express the gratitude I have for her. Because of her, I was able to become the best version of myself. She changed and saved my life, by showing me the infinite possibilities of spirituality through practicing yoga. She taught me the ways of the yoga lifestyle in this “OG” fashion. This was by showing me the infinite possibilities pranayama. I learned Yoga’s true purpose of connecting the mind, body, soul. Her wisdom led me to continue my education with a “Contemplative Studies” minor, AKA mindfulness training.

Because of my experience with Alison, you will never see socks or shoes within our yoga practice. Alison was highly influential in shaping my perspectives about being comfortable barefoot. One of my favorite moments in Alison’s class was when she demonstrated how your toes should function. While seated, she lifted her perfectly straight legs in a straddle (which takes a significant amount of core strength), and proceeded to wiggle and spread her toes as if it were her hand! That’s impressive!

Note: After being recognized as a teacher of great appreciation by the University, Alison officially retired from teaching and is still developing the Yoga Teacher Training program at WCU. Thank you, Alison!

*Photos of us (2014 and 2023)

2016-2023: “The Boom” Calls to Me

In 2016, I committed myself to exploring barefoot methods. Curiosity and experience were essential. I slowly began to implement barefoot methods and more importantly, I sought to understand why it was so important to prioritize my foot abilities. 

Some background on my “not so perfect” physical attributes and nuances. Before my junior year of football in high school, I sustained a poorly diagnosed knee injury. I basically played a season with significant tears and swelling. Despite this limiting ailment, I was still successful on the field. Unfortunately, this was followed by years of poor compensation patterns.

Although my knee never fully healed, strengthened, or was able to be rehabilitated, I continued to push my physical limits. I eventually had to address the situation of a completely torn meniscus, and arthritis of a “45 year-old” when I was 22.

Despite everything, after surgery I ignored a legitimate rehabilitation process. In my mind, recovery seemed simple! Looking back, it would have been different if I had the knowledge and wisdom that I now have. Turns out you can’t change the past, and I was left with continued dysfunction and chronic swelling of my knee. 

Eventually, I became curious to explore and address the root cause of my issues. I dove into the vast world of strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and other methodologies. More importantly, I began to learn intently and purposefully how to strengthen my feet. This addressed the foundation of my dysfunctions. Throughout this process, I recognized that I had been neglecting my foot health, longevity, and functionality for a long time.

Long story short, injuries SUCK! However, I can confidently say that my knee is the most resilient it has ever been, primarily because of my commitment to the Barefoot Boom. In early 2022, I took the oath to be completely barefoot (as possible) at all times. I committed to shoes and habits that make this possible. I do believe my body feels better and works better due to being barefoot on most days.   

Focusing on Feet – Today and Tomorrow Today I prioritize the foot health conversation with a diverse array of people daily. Most of the time, conversations are focused on helping my athletes, MFP members, family, and followers improve their movement dysfunction (knees, hips, spine), enhance physical performance, prevent injury, and achieve longevity. A lot of these conversations are brief – displaying the trust people have in my methodologies. Please understand this: there is so much to explore and understand about our feet.

Now that you know about my barefoot journey, read part 2! I’ll be taking you on a deep dive into the physiological wonders of our feet, and the benefits of implementing barefoot methods. You’ll find that there’s more complexity than you can imagine to our metatarsal foundation.