F*ck Shoes - Daniel Vitalis #107

This solo episode is a comprehensive breakdown of my experiences with barefooting. As a long-time barefooting proponent, I’ve traversed thousands of miles of various terrain with bare feet or minimalist footwear, and I’ve learned quite a bit about the often unknown and under-utilized capabilities of the human foot. I detail my experiences wearing minimalist footwear in challenges like the Tough Mudder and GoRuck, as well as during my recent backcountry hunter course. I break down my favorite minimalist footwear brands, unpack the myth of arch support and share some not often discussed benefits of barefooting that I’ve discovered over the years. Note: This podcast is best enjoyed while walking barefoot on a forest trail. EPISODE BREAKDOWN: • Daniel elaborates on his Moon Dance experience, how he learns, mentors and detoxification • Bear hunting update and thoughts on bio-regional animism • Beards • No shoes, no shirt, no service • Cody Lundin and barefoot extremism • Connection to our earth mother • Daniel’s personal barefooting journey and barefooting shoe progression • Experiences wearing Vibram’s during Tough Mudder & GoRuck challenges • Recent experience wearing Vivo boots at Magpul Backcountry Hunter Course • "Are those comfortable?” — other people’s impressions of minimalist footwear • Homunculus explained • Treading lightly • Heels and conventional footwear • What about arch support? • Some of the cons of minimalist shoes • Prehensility • Breakdown of Daniel’s favorite barefoot shoes + his current shoe collection • What’s in Daniel’s first aid kit • Feet that are adaptable to the urban and natural worlds • Staying in touch with our environment — feet as sensory organs • Being a fully developed human