It's hard to walk through the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center without noticing the various footwear worn by attendees. I'm pleasantly surprised at the number of professionals donning what are now referred to as minimalist shoes..
I've seen some pretty incredible designs. Some seemed like they come from the future. Others look as though they were molded specifically for the foot, serving simply as thin rubber protection from the elements. Of course more traditional options still abound.
At a convention like this, minimalist footwear is the norm. In the "oustide" world, however, these types of shoes are rarely seen. Wear a pair of 5 Fingers and you're likely to receive some interesting stares. Because we're conscientious professionals, we love to share helpful information with clients and exercisers.
I dropped into Michol Dalcourt's session on footwear. One of the takeaways was that shoes that offer the most cushion and support often create the most impact. The irony. Minimalist shoes help evenly distribute forces through the body for reduced impact and pain.
We know this, but what about our clients?
This got me thinking about the global picture. We want the best for our clients. We want them to eat loads of vegetables. We want them to exercise regularly. We want them to choose footwear we know will benefit them. We have high expectations and often want them to meet us where we stand. But I think we're missing the boat as evidenced by the grand scope of obesity or pain. So instead of trying to convince them to come to us, perhaps it's time to find that happy medium for improved health. We need to meet clients where they "live," not the other way around. What is it that we can do to gently motivate this planet toward improved health?
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