The BARE Athlete

The Bare Athlete

The much needed conversation that's not being had enough... The conversation about athletes and their feet. Hosted by Barefoot Wellness Coach Jordan Alexander, he invites a multitude of guests from coaches, to olympians, to recovery specialists and more to talk about athletes and their navigations in performance and how important their feet play into that.

Episodes

  1. 06/12/2025

    Ep. 7: Soletic Mobility - From Flat Feet Athlete to Founding Entrepreneur

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

    51 min
  2. 27/11/2025

    Ep. 6: Chad Little Revolutionizing Footwear for Athletes

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

    1h 9m

About

The much needed conversation that's not being had enough... The conversation about athletes and their feet. Hosted by Barefoot Wellness Coach Jordan Alexander, he invites a multitude of guests from coaches, to olympians, to recovery specialists and more to talk about athletes and their navigations in performance and how important their feet play into that.