Foot Strength, Injury Prevention, Footwear Recommendations, and Gait Mechanics with Dr. Courtney Conley
Release Date: 07/22/2024
The Rise and Fall of GoLite and Balancing Federal Budgets with Demetri "Coup" Coupounas
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Demetri Coupounas, aka Coup, the founder of GoLite and MyTrail Company. Coup might just be the most interesting man in the world. This conversation takes us through his incredible journey, from his work balancing the federal budget in the '80s and '90s to becoming the first person to complete unsupported hikes of the Colorado Trail and the Long Trail, and how he stumbled upon the once underground world of ultralight backpacking. We also dive into the history of GoLite, from its role...
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Making Gear for People with Boobs with Symbiosis Gear Founder Sarah Berkeley
Backpacker Radio
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Thru-Hiking with 50-Year-Old Gear with Jared "Snackbox" Champion
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jared “Snackbox” Champion. Snackbox is s a hiker, father, and Youtuber who, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Colorado Trail, hiked it almost exclusively with 50 year old gear. We talk about the process of sourcing this gear, the hardest items to acquire, the least backpacker-friendly items of the bunch, which gear hasn’t advanced as much, and how his appreciation for gear has changed in light of this experience. Jared also shares the story of bonding with his...
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Triple Crowning as a Family of 6, Parenting Teenagers on Trail, and Life Lessons with Vince & Georgie Strawbridge
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Vince and Georgie Strawbridge, one-third of the six-person thru-hiking family. We last caught up with the Strawbridges in early 2020, when they were freshly off their hike of the PCT. Since, they’ve conquered both the CDT and the AT, completing the Triple Crown as a full family. We dive into the high and lowlights of these treks from the perspectives of Vince (dad) and Georgie (the youngest in the family). They share insights on navigating the CDT during COVID,...
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Backpacker Radio LIVE with Kyle Hates Hiking: A New Trail Mystery, Shaving Jabba's Beard, and Kyle's Reddit Haters
Backpacker Radio
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined yet again by Kyle O’Grady of Kyle Hates Hiking for our 2nd live podcast, recorded at the Skylark Lounge in Denver. This episode is action-packed. We kick off the episode by shaving Viking’s beard. The beard shaving is the ultimate entertainment, we encourage you to check this one out on YouTube. Kyle then shares an exclusive trail mystery about a local Colorado man who disappeared while pursuing another man who also vanished under mysterious circumstances. We also talk shop about...
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Thru-Hiking, Running an AT Hostel, and Living in a 300 Sq Ft Alaskan Cabin with Patrice & Justin La Vigne
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Patrice and Justin La Vigne. Over the past decade-plus, Patrice and Justin have traded their corporate grind for, in their words, “a life less ordinary.” From their first thru-hike of the AT in 2011 (drink), to managing a hostel, embarking on multiple van tours to spread the thru-hiking gospel, thru-hiking the TA in New Zealand, and now living in a 300-square-foot cabin on the outskirts of Denali National Park in Alaska—they’ve done it all. We dive into how they restructured their lives around...
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Hiking the Calendar Year Triple Crown, Crashing a Motorcycle, and Cycling the Southern Tier Bicycle Route with Carson "Anita" Oliver
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Carson Oliver, known on trail as Anita. Carson is an accomplished thru-hiker, cyclist, and adventurer. Following up his 2019 PCT thru-hike, Carson completed the Calendar Year Triple Crown in 2023. We of course learn all about this remarkable trek, his circuitous route to make it happen, highlights and lowlights from each trail, and much more. Carson also shares some personal stories, including the tragic loss of his father, who was murdered, and how this has shaped his perspective on life. We wrap the show with...
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Birds 101 with Alison Kondler: Bird Calls, Birding Tips, Bird Feeders, Myths, and More
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Madison "Peg Leg" Blagden on the Eastern Continental Trail and the Pros and Cons of Trail Fame
Backpacker Radio
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Andrew Skurka 5.0: Smartphone Satellite Messaging, Assessing Skill Level for Guided Trips, and Being Childfree
Backpacker Radio
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined once again by our pal and backpacking legend, Andrew Skurka. We cover a host of new subjects including the future of dedicated satellite communicators with smartphones introducing satellite texting capabilities, what he foresees for the fate of rain gear in light of the move away from PFAS, how the first season of guiding trips went in Yellowstone, his favorite backpacking destinations in each of the lower 48s four time zones, and he gives Chaunce a live, in-person questionnaire to match her with the appropriate...
info_outlineIn today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dr. Courtney Conley. Dr. Conley is an internationally renowned foot and gait specialist, founder and creator of Gait Happens, and chiropractic physician who specializes in foot and gait mechanics. We chat all things related to foot health related to long-distance backpacking, including what to look for in footwear and what characteristics to avoid, how to best prepare your feet for a successful hike, and preventing and treating common foot injuries- including unconventional exercises to help you accomplish this. In a nutshell, Dr. Conley is a foot wizard and you will learn a great deal about setting your feet up for success on trail.
We wrap the show with backpacking items to ditch to lower your base weight, what vegetable we would be, the triple crown of things that are true, but we're not buying it, and a one-minute gear review of a trail runner that's been gaining a lot of traction in the world of thru-hiking.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.
Helinox: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off at helinox.com.
Sambob: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at sambob.biz.
[divider]
Interview with Dr. Courtney Conley
Time stamps & Questions
00:04:20 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon, suggest a guest for PCT Days, and apply for the Trek’s full time position!
00:07:35 - Introducing Dr. Conley
00:08:40 - How did you decide to specialize in gait?
00:10:25 - How do you analyze people walking?
00:12:41 - What’s the easiest gait problem to spot in the wild?
00:13:30 - If you could change one thing about everyone to improve their feet, what would it be?
00:16:52 - Discussion about shoe cushioning
00:18:10 - Discussion about walking barefoot
00:20:00 - In what circumstances would you recommend more cushion?
00:21:40 - Discussion about wide toe boxes
00:22:33 - What other brands have shoes that include your recommendations?
00:23:43 - Discussion about heel-toe drop
00:25:00 - Should everyone be striving to use a zero drop shoe?
00:28:30 - Discussion about toe strength
00:29:30 - How should someone build foot strength in preparation for a thru-hike?
00:32:30 - Who are your primary patients?
00:33:55 - Are achilles tears becoming more common and how can they be prevented?
00:36:14 - Discussion about plyometrics
00:38:20 - Where does more traditional strength training fit into foot strength?
00:41:15 - What’s your view on toe socks?
00:42:30 - What can someone do with their kids to ensure they have strong feet?
00:46:03 - Would you ever recommend hiking boots?
00:50:38 - What are the most common issues you work with in backpackers?
00:53:29 - Can it be harmful to power through without an orthotic?
00:54:53 - What workouts should people do to prevent plantar fasciitis?
00:57:37 - Once you notice plantar fasciitis, what should you do?
01:00:00 - How can people help their feet recover?
01:06:10 - Discussion about healing from ankle sprains
01:06:45 - Discussion about stress fractures
01:08:51 - Can a weak foot lead to knee or hip injuries?
01:14:50 - Discussion about optimal shoes for running
01:17:20 - What do you wear for running?
01:17:50 - Do you have recommendations for long distance hiking shoes?
01:19:45 - Do you have recommendations for general foot ache?
01:23:34 - Any other product recommendations?
01:24:30 - Anything else we should have asked you?
01:29:91 - Is it bad if your foot is flat or you have a collapsed arch?
01:31:41 - What’s your recommended regimen for going from a 5 millimeter drop to a 0 drop?
01:33:00 - Do you work with patients remotely?
01:35:05 - Kumo Question: What is the cheesiest pickup line you’ve ever heard or used?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
- Driftless Hiking Trail: New Funding Package Is Big Win for Minnesota Long Trail by Kelly Floro
- Peg Leg: 7 Gear Items I Ditched To Cut My Base Weight in Half by Peg Leg
QOTD: If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be?
Triple Crown of things that are true, but I’m not buying it
One-Minute Gear Review
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
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