What happens when a pro athlete decides to reinvent recovery? You get Kane Footwear—a brand that’s not just about shoes, but about movement, community, sustainability, and building better habits.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with John Gagliardi, the founder of Kane Footwear. They dive into John’s wild entrepreneurial ride, the obsession with footwear, and how Kane built a cult-like community in the direct-to-consumer footwear game.

You’ll also hear how Kane Footwear is made with sustainably-sourced, sugarcane-based materials, giving the recovery shoe its lightweight feel while keeping it eco-friendly and planet-conscious. It’s footwear designed for athletes and everyday movers who care about performance and impact.

If you’re an entrepreneur, a fitness junkie, or just someone fired up about creating something that matters, this conversation is stacked with gems.

The two explore:

Why Kane Footwear has athletes and everyday movers hookedWhat Kane shoes are made of and why eco-friendly design mattersThe lessons John learned from building and exiting a companyHow community fuels brand loyalty and long-term successThe athlete mindset behind Kane’s design and missionJohn’s personal routine to stay sharp as an entrepreneur

If today’s conversation with John Gagliardi lit a spark for you, don’t keep it to yourself—share this episode with a friend who’s building better habits and chasing big goals. And, if you have a minute, we’d greatly appreciate a 5-star rating and review! See you next week, Kreatures!

TIMESTAMPS:

1:24 Kane Footwear & shoe obsessions

12:18 Building and exiting a company

25:00 The importance of being IN community when building DTC business

47:59 John’s daily routine as an entrepreneur

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