How Modern Shoes Have Weakened Our Feet | Galahad Clark

Each one of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. And for thousands of years, feet have helped humans navigate their surroundings and strengthen their connection to the earth. But now, we shove our feet into rubber-soled foot coffins that weaken our feet and cut off our connection to nature. It’s time to free our feet and let them guide us once again.WELCOME TO THE DARIN OLIEN SHOWGalahad Clark is a 7th-generation shoemaker. And now he’s getting our feet back to their roots with VIVOBarefoot.As a teenager, Galahad spent summer holidays on various show production lines in Europe and Asia. However, after school, he went to America on a scholarship to study Chinese and Anthropology. It was there that he founded Students 4 Students International, an organization that helps disadvantaged students in Africa go to the best schools. In 2003, Galahad started his first shoe project inspired by his love of the Wu-Tang Clan called “Wu Shoes.” He now focuses all his energy on Vivobarefoot, an innovative natural health company that makes footwear to strengthen your feet.Along with his cousin Asher, Galahad started Vivobarefoot to bring back the original human shoemaking principles. They draw upon simple barefoot design principles for optimum foot health and natural movement. Studies prove that wearing Vivobarefoot for six months can make your feet 60% stronger– meaning the Clark cousins achieved what they set out to do. Together, they hope to change the way people look at the foot and body connection. On a quest to become a net-positive business to regenerate human and planetary health, Vivobarefoot also runs ReVivo. This secondary market is the first of its kind for professionally reconditioned footwear– to keep them on feet and away from landfills.In this episode,Galahad explains just how amazing human feet really are. Vivobarefoot footwear are the only shoes I ever wear– I keep a pair in my car, just in case I need to run inside somewhere. I’ve always hated shoes. I feel most connected to the earth when I’m barefoot. So it’s so cool to talk to a 7th-generation shoemaker that feels the same way! In this conversation, Galahad explains the complex machinery that is human feet, and how you can strengthen your feet to improve your overall health. After all, he doesn’t consider Vivobarefoot a footwear company– it’s a natural health lifestyle company. Because your feet are connected to your health! BREAKDOWN  [00:04:23] We’re walking around in foot coffins[00:10:20] Trying to do right by nature[00:19:00] Shoes and the Wu-Tang Clan[00:24:33] Barefoot is the gold standard[00:35:12] Educating on feet and footwearLINKSVivobarefoot SPONSORSBite Toothpaste wants to replace all the products in your bathroom cabinet with sustainable alternatives. My favorite is their Toothpaste Bits. Instead of commercial toothpaste filled with toxic chemicals, Bits are clean, safe, and effective– just bite down and brush. Plus, they come in refillable glass jars, so no more plastic tubes! Try Bits or any of their other sustainably packaged personal care products for 20% off your first order with code DARIN20.Want to contribute to environmental solutions, but don’t know where to start? Habits of Waste, the non-profit behind the viral social media campaigns #CutOutCutlery and #8Meals, is a great place to start. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference by joining one of their weekly or daily challenges to turn intention into action.Barukas Nuts - Get 10% off your order of the best nuts on the planet with code DARINPOD10. Every purchase helps end deforestation and supports the indigenous tribes of the region.  Download Episode Transcript Here I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Darin Olien Show! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here's how: Subscribe, rate or listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher Follow my Instagram to keep updated on the podcast,