The Foot Expert: The 6 Shoe Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Body
5/21/202638 min
Courtney Conley, leading foot health specialist and author of Walk, joins The Tamsen Show to talk about the one part of your body that's been quietly running your life. You've been strength training. You've been paying attention to your hormones, your sleep, your pelvic floor. But have you looked at your feet lately? One in three people over 45 have foot pain, and most of them don't connect it to their back pain, their balance issues, or their cognitive health. Scientists now call walking speed the sixth vital sign. How fast you move, and whether you can pick up your pace, can predict dementia up to seven years before diagnosis. Courtney Conley has spent her career studying what happens from the ground up. She was a ballet dancer who developed bunions and stress fractures young, couldn't find answers, went to school, and built a practice around helping women get strong below the knee. In this episode, she explains what happens when we wear the wrong shoe and teaches you practical ways to start taking your foot health seriously so you can live a longer, healthier, and happier life. In this conversation, you'll learn:
- Why one in three women over 45 have foot pain and what's actually causing it
- How years of wearing heels shortens your calf and locks your ankle and why that's behind more back pain than you'd think
- Why gait speed is the sixth vital sign
- What slow walking speed can predict
- How menopause and perimenopause change the structure of your foot and what to do about it
- The connection between your pelvic floor and your big toe
- Why the most cushioned shoe in your closet may be making your balance worse
- The washcloth drill you can do today to reduce your risk of falling
- What flip flops are actually doing to your toes while you walk
- How many steps a day you should be walking
- The research on walking speed and cancer risk
- Which shoe brands actually respect the anatomy of your foot Shop Dr. Conley’s recommendations here You’ll never walk the same after listening to this episode. If you liked this conversation, check this out: The #1 Longevity Doctor: How Women Can Burn Fat, Build Muscle & Age Strong and How Getting Stronger as You Age Can Change Everything with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Stay connected with Tamsen: Get Tamsen's newsletter filled with free tools to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, How To Menopause Free Resources from Tamsen Watch all the episodes on YouTube Follow Tamsen on Instagram The Tamsen Show on Instagram Follow Tamsen on TikTok This show is sponsored by Midi Health. Visit https://joinmidi.com/TAMSEN today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit. Midi. The Care Women Deserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code TAMSEN at https://www.irestorelaser.com/TAMSEN! #irestorepod Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsTamsen Fadal· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Hi, friends. I'm so glad you're here. I don't know about you, but I have worn high heels for probably 30-plus years. Stilettos, wedges, kitten heels, um, boots with a heel, things I had no business walking in. I love them. I still love them, and I've always told myself that beauty requires a little sacrifice. No pain, no gain. But it turns out, I actually found out I've been hurting myself, and I recently went to buy shoes, and nothing fit. My foot has grown about a half size, maybe more. So I stood in the store thinking, "Wait a minute, feet aren't supposed to be growing, are they? What is happening?" Well, it turns out a lot's happening, and none of it's just about your feet. I had no idea. Your feet can impact things like back pain, dementia, insomnia, anxiety, and most importantly, a loss of independence. So you know I wanna be a badass strong old lady in the future, and that starts right now. No matter what age you're at, I think we need to be thinking about this holistically. I know an episode about feet sounds crazy. It sounded crazy to me, but after today's episode, you're gonna realize that your feet might just be one of the most overlooked parts of your overall health. Joining me today, Dr. Courtney Conley, a leading foot health expert, who's worked with some of the biggest athletes in the world. She's also the author of the new book Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity One Step at a Time. Also, I brought all my shoes into the studio [laughs] so I could