The Meat Mafia Podcast #388 Barefoot Will: Rebuilding Your Body From the Ground Up
Will, known online as Barefoot Will, is a licensed physical therapist and a leading voice in foot health and biomechanics. Through his work, he helps individuals reclaim their natural movement, alleviate chronic pain, and optimize their physical foundation by focusing on barefoot training and proper footwear. With a background in athletics and experience treating high-performance individuals, Will’s insights are reshaping the way people think about their feet—one step at a time. In addition to his coaching, he leads men’s retreats, offering deep, unplugged experiences in nature that promote personal growth and spiritual reflection.
Your feet are the foundation of your movement, but most people don’t give them a second thought—until problems arise. In this episode, we sit down with Barefoot Will, a physical therapist and foot health expert, to uncover the hidden dysfunctions caused by modern footwear and what you can do to rebuild your foot strength. Will shares his journey from sports injuries to barefoot advocacy, the truth about minimalist shoes, and why fixing your feet could transform your entire body. We also dive into his powerful men’s retreats, where he helps individuals unplug from the digital world and reconnect with nature and themselves. If you’ve ever dealt with foot pain, shin splints, or poor mobility—or just want to optimize your movement—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
What we cover:
- The Problem with Modern Shoes
- The Barefoot Advantage
- Safe Transitioning to Barefoot Shoes
- Faith, Nature, & Spiritual Growth
- Building Resilience Through Movement
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction & Will’s Background in Foot Health
(04:00) - The Hidden Costs of Modern Footwear
(10:00) - How Foot Dysfunction Leads to Injuries
(16:00) - The Barefoot Transition: What You Need to Know
(22:00) - Exercises to Strengthen Your Feet & Improve Mobility
(29:00) - The Science Behind Grounding & Reflexology
(35:00) - Will’s Experience Running & Training Barefoot
(42:00) - The Power of Digital Detox & Men's Retreats
(50:00) - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Will’s Work
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