Back to the Basics

In this episode, Vincent and Dr. Joe discuss rehabilitation and gait with Dr. Nicole Pandak, physical therapist from the Gait Center. At the Gait Center, the focus is on a return to functional movement by meeting the specialized needs of individuals with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities that limit their abilities to move naturally. Dr. Pandak talks about the benefits of minimalist footwear, reconnecting the brain to the feet, and the benefits of massage and splay foot exercises. 

Don’t Put Your Shoes On

After growing up on a farm and attending college in a beach town, it wasn’t until he was a working professional that Dr. Daniel Howell came to understand the discomfort of traditional shoes. So, he kicked them off. He used his background in anatomy and science to explore the phenomena of barefoot running and hiking and earned the name: The Barefoot Professor. 

When students began to question his lack of footwear, Dr. Howell began to venture into answering why he naturally gravitated toward keeping his feet uncovered. The Barefoot Book is the result of his curiosity and research into the barefoot lifestyle. 

“Kids are constantly being told, ‘Put your shoes on.’” Dr. Howell discusses the social expectations taught in Western society versus the natural inclination to walk barefoot, and how the plasticity of the body adapting to footwear is part of the problem. In this interview, Dr. Howell, Vincent, and Dr. Joe discuss the benefits of natural movement and minimalist footwear, the harm that can result from a lifetime of wearing traditional shoes, the myth of Arch Support, as well as the benefits of building stronger, healthier feet. 

In this episode retired NFL player, Dontay Moch, discusses what it’s like to train as a flat-footed athlete. Dontay started by training in twelve different sports before being recruited to play college football for the University of Nevada where he set WAC career records. Dontay went on to break and hold the 40-yard dash NFL Combine record at 4.44 seconds and was drafted by Cincinnati Bengals. 

Blowing out of his Chuck Taylors inspired Dontay to dip his toe into the barefoot training lifestyle. 

His barefoot journey began with weightlifting and performance training as a flat-footed guy with a muscle arch. Then, he noticed more controlled movement and strength. Later in his career as an NFL athlete, Dontay recovered from a foot injury and welcomed a journey into natural healing and optimal wellness. Dontay began to study reflexology and how the muscles and engagement of one’s feet improves overall health. 

“I believed in the gripping and structure of my feet. Ever since then, it domino affected my knees, my hips, my back, and engagement to where I was allowed to gain weight, gain muscle mass, keep my flexibility… I felt like I was more rooted to the ground and knew the placement of where I was going versus having some type of cushion absorbing and taking and rebounding that energy force…” 

Dontay went on to develop and establish Dontay’s Inferno Performance. This is a place that focuses on health and wellness in a way that incorporates everything to help people reach their fullest potential and train like a professional. This is the place where, “your inner strength needs to match your outer strength.” 

Listen in as Dontay describes his favorite exercise, the Inferno Get-Up, his all-time favorite cheat meal, and what he believes is the most important aspect of health. 

You can find Dontay on all social media and more information about his gym at: www.inferno.fit. 

Instagram: @infernoperformanceaz

Facebook: @infernoperformance

Twitter: @dontaymoch

Dex Moore is a Functional Training and Pose Method Running Techniques Specialist. In this episode Coach Dex, Vincent, and Dr. Joe discuss Pose Method, how to work with the pull of gravity, the importance of footwear, and how feet must be able to move naturally and interact with the impact of the ground to keep feet healthy, strong, and reduce risk of injury. 

As a Spartan Race participant and trainer, Dex talks about what he has learned about conditioning, grip, and how to beat those Burpee Makers. Also included in this episode: Coach Dex’s thoughts on the most important aspect of health, his mission to launch a gait analysis and Pose Method coaching platform, and which exercise is “the most primally satisfying movement you can do...with your clothes on.” 

You can find Coach Dex Moore on Instagram @coachdex _757

When you look at CJ Kobliska’s Instagram, you see a celebration of movement. CJ is a coach for people of all ages in various types of movement from rehabilitation exercises to finding new ways to express themselves. As the director of programming for Gymnazo, CJ is constantly adding new and interesting ways to study movement methods and the science behind how and why we move the way we do. 

CJ describes his programming as, “R&D in movement,” “a movement melody,” and the opportunity to access, evaluate, and relearn what it is to move naturally. “[We] uncover what it means to be in their body…” 

“We need to start to simulate this mirror feedback that says it’s okay to move...but we’re so caught up in what we look like...we hold onto ourselves so protectively, that we avoid the deeper experience with the space around us.” 

CJ views the body as a matrix; and stresses the importance of finding the intention behind movement as one interacts within their environment. From complex moves to flow training, CJ dives into what it looks like to break down foundations and the observation essentials necessary to evaluate how you are able to move, what needs adjustment, what actions should follow, and all the ways we can perform a movement right. 

@movement_exploration_channel 

From kettlebell flow/juggling to unconventional styles of training, Jarrod’s passion for movement is inspiring. In this discussion, Jarrod talks about the first class he ever taught, and still teaches today, Buns and Guns! And, his two major Lightbulb Moments in life: discovering his purpose as a trainer and learning about the science and benefits of functional footwear. 

Jarrod grew up as a natural athlete and experienced weight gain in college. When he realized that he wasn’t reaching his potential, Jarrod applied what he was studying as an exercise science major to transform his body and habits. Then, Jarrod quickly learned how amazing it felt to invest in himself.  

 “I was a dead fish, I was just letting life carry me…when I took ownership of my body and my physiology, I started to choose, ‘What wave do I want to surf?’… I had to give that empowerment to others.”

Jarrod Cardona has a BA in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from the University of Central Florida. He is the owner of The Training Spot in Winter Park, FL where he lives with his dog, Batman.

@thecrazytrainer

In this episode, Vincent and Dr. Joe talk to Ryan Reeves, the owner of Shockoe Bottom CrossFit. As the owner of Shockoe, Ryan’s lifelong goal is to use his knowledge and skills to improve the lives of others through fitness each and every day. 

Ryan Reeves started out as a hockey player. He was drawn to hockey for its technical aspects, the required amount of athleticism, and its complexity… also the fighting. Ryan discusses how his time spent in the gym helped him with the speed and endurance required to be the better player on the ice. The gym is where Ryan learned that perfecting the basics, is the key to being the best athlete you can be.  

“When you identify your weaknesses, you can find the tools to help.” Ryan found his tools when he transitioned to functional shoes and a more minimalist approach--it shone light on the weaknesses that needed improvement, from feet to ankles to hip mobility. “If you want to be a really good athlete, you have to accept the challenge… you have to be open minded to your own weaknesses… [this results in] better position, body awareness, your ability to make micro changes while you're moving to keep yourself from being in a compromised position.”  

Ryan also discusses the importance of enjoying the journey, his favorite foot strengthening 6 minute EMOM, why wall balls are awesome, and how purpose and the correct training of the basics is everything.  

@ReevesRyan19
@The_Rhino_Program