Barefoot Expo May 16-17 2025

This Episode's Show Notes
Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses
Katy’s Virtual Studio - Try it Free for 7 Days!

Inspired by a listener's letter, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk about exercise and sport and how these relate to natural movement. They discuss how Katy’s message has sometimes been reduced to exercise is ‘bad’ and natural movement is ‘better’.

Katy explains that this has never been her position; rather her aim has been to challenge the assumption that the only way to move our bodies is through exercise. Her work has been to expand our framework of human movement and provide a broader understanding of the shapes and volumes of movement required for human health.

Katy and Jeannette also address issues raised in the listener's letter about gym culture and sports, noting that many of the negatives are perceived rather than actual or are to do with commercialization. They discuss the ubiquity of team sports across human cultures and the many positives that sport can provide, including natural movements—like throwing and catching—that are hard to get elsewhere in life.

Also in this episode Katy interviews Anna Yona, co-founder of the barefoot shoe company Wildling. Anna shares the origin story of Wildling and their expansion from children’s shoes into the adult market. Katy and Anna talk about favourite customer stories, teenage shoe choices and Wildling’s most recent venture—a rain boot—filling a much needed niche in the minimal shoe market.

Books Mentioned:

My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman
I Know I Should Exercise, But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman
Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon
Hunter-Gatherer Childhoods Edited by Barry Hewlett & Michael Lamb

Made Possible by Our Dynamic Collective of Wonderful Sponsors:

Movemate, dynamic active standing boards that invite movement and play into your workday, without disrupting your workflow; Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the office; Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for higher impact activities; Wildling, minimal footwear for toddlers, kids and adults made from natural materials; Correct Toes, soft silicone toe spacers that can be worn barefoot or in shoes and Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home;

Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.com
Your Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits

Barefoot Expo May 16-17 2025

This Episode's Show Notes
Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses
Katy’s Virtual Studio - Try it Free for 7 Days!

Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram kick this episode off with a conversation about British walking idioms and nature-based language. They are then joined by Mark Sisson, author, former distance runner and founder of the minimal shoe company Peluva. Mark, Katy and Jeannette talk about human evolutionary history, walking, health and Mark’s latest book Born to Walk. They discuss how running has become the iconic fitness activity but Mark explains how most people would be better served by abundant walking—combined with some strength training and a small amount of higher intensity exercise—to create a more nourishing and less physically stressful movement diet.

Katy also has a conversation with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms and one of the Move Your DNA sponsors. Smart Playrooms offer equipment and design services for indoor play and activity spaces. Katy and Karri discuss the ethos behind Smart Playrooms, the design process and Karri offers her genius recommendations for equipment to add to every home. Katy and Karri explain how to plan flexible and adjustable spaces so that your movement and play areas stay interesting and grow with your family.

Books Mentioned:

Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane
Born to Run by Mark Sisson & Brad Kearns
The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
Born to Run by Mark McDougall
I Know I Should Exercise, But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman

Made Possible by Our Dynamic Collective of Wonderful Sponsors:

Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the office; Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home; Wildling, minimal footwear for toddlers, kids and adults made from natural materials; Correct Toes, soft silicone toe spacers that can be worn barefoot or in shoes; Movemate, dynamic active standing boards that invite movement and play into your workday, without disrupting your workflow and Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for higher impact activities.

Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.com
Your Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits

Barefoot Expo May 16-17 2025

This Episode's Show Notes
Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses
Katy’s Virtual Studio - Try it Free for 7 Days!

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram discuss movement for the bendy body with their guest Dr Libby Hinsley, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in the treatment of hypermobility syndromes and chronic pain. Libby shares her personal and professional journey with hypermobility explaining what hypermobility is and the associated symptoms. Libby, Katy and Jeannette discuss the paradox that bendy bodies have large ranges of motion yet tense muscles and how a sedentary lifestyle is even more of a liability for people with hypermobility syndromes. Libby and Katy outline the ABCs of a movement program for bendy bodies that often struggle with proprioception and are easily fatigued. They emphasize the importance of higher load activities performed with very mindful attention to exercise form. They caution that smaller and slower movements are key whatever the exercise modality.

Also in this episode, Katy has a conversation with Sohail Shariff of Movemate, creator of segmented active standing boards designed to be used while you work. Sohail explains the personal stories behind the product and its design. Katy shares her appreciation of the boards particularly how these boards foster dynamic movement of the foot and ankle, something missing with traditional balance boards. Sohail and Katy also discuss the board's segmented design; the multiple articulations create a flowing but stable motion which means Katy can move and focus on work at the same time. Finally they discuss the value of the board in the therapeutic space particularly for those with a need for movement that soothes the nervous system.

Books Mentioned:

Yoga for Bendy People: Optimizing the Benefits of Yoga for Hypermobility by Libby Hinsley
I Know I Should Exercise, But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman

Made Possible by Our Dynamic Collective of Wonderful Sponsors:

Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home; Movemate, dynamic active standing boards that invite movement and play into your workday, without disrupting your workflow; Correct Toes, soft silicone toe spacers that can be worn barefoot or in shoes; Peluva Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for higher impact activities; Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the office and Wildling, minimal footwear for toddlers, kids and adults made from natural materials.

Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.com
Your Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits