Summary

In this episode of the Bear Athlete Podcast, host Jordan Alexander speaks with Michael Flack, founder of Soledad Mobility, about his journey from sports to yoga and the importance of foot health. They discuss the impact of yoga on body awareness, the creation of toe spacers for better foot health, and the need for education around barefoot movement. Michael shares insights on how foot health can alleviate pain throughout the body and the vision for future events like the Barefoot Games to promote barefoot culture among athletes.

Takeaways

Michael Flack has a long history with flat feet and body pain.

Yoga played a crucial role in Michael's recovery and body awareness.

Soledad Mobility was born from Michael's need for effective toe spacers.

Foot health is essential for overall body alignment and pain relief.

Athletes often lack knowledge about the importance of foot health.

The barefoot movement is gaining traction and awareness.

Creating a culture around barefoot training can benefit athletes.

Transitioning to barefoot shoes requires a thoughtful approach.

Education is key to changing perceptions about foot health.

The Barefoot Games aim to make barefoot training mainstream.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michael Flack and Soledad Mobility

04:01 The Journey to Yoga and Body Awareness

11:25 The Birth of Soledad Mobility

20:24 The Importance of Foot Health

34:10 Educating Athletes on Foot Health

45:50 The Future of Barefoot Movement and Events

Michael Flack, Soletic Mobility, yoga, foot health, barefoot movement, athletes, toe spacers, wellness, fitness, body awareness

Summary

In this episode, Jordan Alexander interviews Chad Little, the owner of Code Footwear, who shares his journey from a corporate footwear designer to creating custom shoes focused on foot health for athletes. Chad discusses the importance of understanding biomechanics, the challenges faced in the footwear industry, and the need for better shoe options that cater to athletes' foot health. He emphasizes the significance of custom solutions and the future of Code Footwear in promoting foot health and performance.

Takeaways

Chad's journey began with a realization of his own foot health issues.

Understanding biomechanics is crucial for designing effective footwear.

Corporate footwear often prioritizes aesthetics over functionality.

Custom shoes can significantly improve athletes' performance and comfort.

Foot health is often overlooked in the athletic community.

Chad's experience at Jordan Brand highlighted the challenges of corporate design.

The importance of educating athletes about foot health and proper footwear.

Code Footwear aims to create shoes that cater to individual foot shapes.

The future of footwear design should focus on both performance and health.

Chad's passion for helping athletes drives the mission of Code Footwear.


00:00 Introduction to Chad Little and Code Footwear

00:57 The Journey of Understanding Feet

02:50 Transitioning from Corporate to Custom Footwear

10:03 The Impact of Shoe Design on Athlete Health

14:47 Creating Custom Solutions for Athletes

19:54 The Evolution of Footwear Technology

25:06 Building a Brand Focused on Foot Health

29:47 Challenges in the Footwear Industry

35:01 The Future of Code Footwear and Athlete Wellness

37:54 The Impact of Proper Footwear on Athletic Performance

39:39 Transitioning to Minimalist Footwear

42:21 Understanding Foot Health and Shoe Design

46:37 The Journey of Custom Footwear Development

49:06 The Future of Cold Footwear

51:08 Creating a Barefoot Athletic Competition

56:07 The Intersection of Foot Health and Elite Performance

Keywords:
Chad Little, Code Footwear, foot health, custom shoes, athlete footwear, biomechanics, minimal shoes, footwear design, athlete performance, shoe industry

In this powerful solo episode of The Bare Athlete, Jordan Alexander takes you inside his spontaneous decision to run a half marathon completely barefoot—just weeks into his No Shoes November commitment. What began as a nervous challenge quickly transformed into a spiritual encounter, revealing how faith, trust, and preparation align when you surrender to God’s plan.

Jordan shares the full journey—from the nerves at the starting line to the dew-soaked grass that became his divine pathway—and the moment his family appeared at mile ten with a sign that read, “God said keep going.”

This is more than a running story. It’s a lesson in divine math, endurance, and the power of walking (and running) in faith. Whether you’re an athlete, a believer, or simply someone pushing past your own limits, this episode will remind you that with God, every step is covered.

Highlights:

• The miracle of preparation meeting divine provision
• What “God math” really means
• Lessons learned from grass, grit, and grace
• Why trust is the ultimate performance enhancer

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to take your next barefoot step in faith.

In this powerful solo episode, Jordan Alexander opens up about his barefoot journey and the divine conviction that sparked No Shoes November. What started as a physical challenge—training to run his first half marathon barefoot—has become a spiritual awakening.

Jordan shares how God called him to strip away comfort and control, trusting that every step of his journey would be guided and protected. From discovering hacks for recovery and toe spacers to deep revelations about faith, discipline, and the power of intentional movement, this episode dives deep into how running barefoot mirrors the walk of faith itself.

Along the way, Jordan discusses:

• His rediscovery of Christ and how faith reshaped his daily algorithm.
• What inspired him to create his eBook FLESH and how mastering food, love, energy, sex, and healing unlocks spiritual alignment.
• How The Chosen and House of David helped him connect to biblical stories like never before.
• Why running barefoot is more than movement—it’s ministry.

This episode isn’t just about running without shoes—it’s about learning to trust God to clear your path, callus your faith, and prepare you for your own marathon of purpose.

“The stronger the feet, the stronger the athlete. The stronger the faith, the stronger the human.”

In this raw and real conversation, Jordan Alexander sits down with Australian running coach and myotherapist Mick to explore how modern shoes and training habits have disconnected athletes from their natural potential. From three ACL tears to rediscovering the power of the foot, Mick shares how relearning to run changed everything. Together, they unpack the epidemic of overbuilt shoes, lazy movement patterns, and why the strongest athletes start with strong feet. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or barefoot believer, this episode will make you rethink what it means to train — and to truly move like a human.

Mobility specialist Coach Jasmine (The Hip Architect) joins Jordan to break down how feet-first training transforms youth athletes—from toe dexterity and ankle control (FRC basics) to injury-proofing the knees, hips, and Achilles. They get real about culture (Jordans vs. barefoot shoes), why recovery equals performance, and simple drills like “toe piano” and single-leg calf raises. Perfect for parents, coaches, and athletes who believe: stronger the feet, stronger the athlete.