My Footcare & Natural Footwear Timeline
-2003-
A Football Game
"How does he move like that?" was my thought back in a tackle football game at 15. This was the moment I realized the limits of my movement skills. I was small, and amazed by someone my size who could easily change directions, start and stop on dime.
Adobe Firefly AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2008-
Injury: Right Femur Fracture
At age 20, I was in a bad car accident (sitting shotgun), and fractured my right femur. I had to be cut out of the vehicle, and was sent to the hospital via Life Star helicopter. A titanium rod in the femur, screw in the hip and two pins above the knee kept me out of a full body cast.
Car I was in at the junk yard. Date unknown: roughly late 2008 or early 2009
-2009-
Walk it off... Finding backpacking!
While I was back in college in 8-9 weeks, I could not keep my head on studying, the sun was shining outside... and I decided to cut my losses and delay my studies. I had recently found out the Appalachian Trail and wanted to adventure, and heal from my injury. I did a test run of 200 miles with a friend, and I got the backpacking bug! A year later on my first significant solo backpacking trip, I was still wearing heavy boots and started having some right foot pain, mainly on the big toe knuckle. Shortly after I put two and two together and had the realization: "Wait a second, I actuality have a bunion?!"
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2013-
Suggestions for Shin Splints
I was never a natural runner. In elementary school when we ran laps around the school, I remember having shin pain. On the mile run in high school I only managed about a 9 minute mile, even with a all out sprint to the finish line. That 9 minutes practically maxed out my ability, and was near passing out from the nearly all out exertion. It wasn't until many years later I began taking exercise and working out seriously. I asked my Z-Health trainer, Mike Golden, how should I go about remediating shin splints. He recommended switching to minimalist footwear, using toe spacers, and engaging in mobility training. He advised politely "In my professional opinion, you should your Nikes off a cliff." This confused me the first time he said it, and I asked for a retransmission. My ears did not fail me, I heard correctly the first time. I thought about it, and it made sense to me that stiff soles and narrow tow boxes were absolutely detrimental to my foot, shin and knee health. If not allowed to move correctly, how could my feet feel good? I decided to give it a try, and purchased a pair of Onitsuka's Tiger Tai Chi light sneaker for a daily driver. Also, I picked up New Balance's MT10 Minimus for trail running.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2015-
Initial Foot Condition - Before Correct Toes
First picture - baseline. State of my feet prior to using Correct Toes and transitioning to minimalist footwear!
3-9-2015
-2015-
First Update - 4 months with Correct Toes
First results picture. Feet were scratched up from rock climbing barefoot at a waterpark.
7-8-2015
-2016-
Before 2016 Backpacking Trip
Initial baseline picture, before hiking with trail runners, toe socks, correct toes, and outer socks.
7-8-2015
-2016-
During 2016 Backpacking Trip
Completed 1400 AT miles with about 70% right modified Correct Toes, hiking in running shoes. Minimal pain and blisters, and most noticeably my pinkie toes began to rotate to a position were the nails faced the sky more. While there is visible improvement, this trip was not without strife. Trail runners are less forgiving on the trail, and I was adjusting to better foot placement as necessity. By the time I reached Georgia, it was so uncomfortable to walk barefoot on hard surfaces I had to tip-toe carefully.
About two months into the trip. 8-15-2016
-2017-
Post 2016 Backpacking Trip
Post 2016 Backpacking Trip
After 2 years of using Correct Toes and minimalist gear.
8-18-2017
-2019-
Baseball Finger Fracture
Fractured baseball finger, night of injury (muay thai class - kick to the glove). Despite the unfortunate injury, it led to significant insights.
9-26-2019
-2019-
Baseball Finger Recovery
My finger healed after maintaining it perfectly straight for 2 months. This inspired me to wear Correct Toes continuously. The long nail overlapped the brace and helped keep the fingertip straight.
11-12-2019
-2020-
Year-long Correct Toes Use
Wore Correct Toes almost throughout the day including sleep and showers. Muay Thai class and swimming were the sole exceptions. This experiment was significantly positive for happy feet, and Correct Toes routine became second nature.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-20-2024
-2021-
Six-Year Correct Toes Update
Toe movement improved dramatically, but I began to feel as if my feet "didn't know how to act".
9-22-2021
9-22-2021
-2022-
Barefoot Science Insoles
During the first half of 2022 I found Barefoot Science Insoles. First order placed on April 28, 2022. I transitioned to using these too quickly and slightly strained both ankles dangerously close to my planned thru-hike.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2022-
Appalachian Trail Sobo Thru-Hike
Completed a whopping 2200 miles backpacking July 13th 22' through November 7th 22'. Wore unmodified Correct Toes over 90% of the time. Faced Achilles problems in Vermont and used Crocs for about 200 trail miles. Developed a blister under the middle toe on the right foot causing inconvenience. Overcame Achilles tendonitis during the hike by hobble-jogging the final mile to a hostel in Hot Springs, NC. Crushed my personal mile record - hiking 54 miles during an all-out 24 hour window at end of hike, crossing into GA that day.
11-7-2022
-2023-
Enhanced Correct Toes Spacing
Began inserting coins to increase Correct Toes spacing, alternating wearing until discomfort then reducing to no coins and repeating.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2024-
Alt Workout
Alt Circuit - Incorporated Knees over toes calf raise squats and other Knee Ability Zero moves into my recovery regime. Due to a rib injury, halting regular workouts. This illuminated the ongoing effort required!
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2025-
A Decade with Correct Toes!
Celebrating 10 years of using Correct Toes paired with minimalist footwear! It took about 10 years to wear "money" Correct Toes, as a daily driver - with nickles and dimes further widening the toe spacers.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024
-2026-
Persisting Foot Concerns and Comprehensive Training
Continuing to observe foot difficulties during entire body training yet making steady progress. Engaging in Pacific Rim Athletics comprehensive exercise program addressing the entire physique.
Adobe Express AI Artwork - 2-18-2024