Another update - yes it's been a while, and here's why...

Hey Friends,
I know this site now gets a good amount of traffic from across the globe, and things have been a bit silent on my end.

Here's why: when your foot is healed properly, it stays healed, at least in my case. I follow all of the advice I share with others.

So, I typically have been going about my normal daily life as it relates to my foot and the MN. No pain, no issues, nothing. It's 100% healed. Unfortunately, though, I was in an accident which totaled my car (I was rear ended at a stop light while in my small Toyota ECHO and hit full speed by a guy in a four door F-150), and I have some significant issues in my back and right knee that I have been addressing. This has limited my workouts and even family/work life. One day, this too will pass!

Nonetheless, I want to make sure everyone knows that the plan I had implemented have worked as I had strategically hoped. I am still rocking my VFF and Vivobarefoot shoes and boots. I will never wear a conventional brand shoe again unless the follow suit with those two brands.

With that, have a great day, and enjoy the gifts you have.

Here's To Healing,
Shane

Ugly, ugly pride

So, I felt like sharing this, because as I have pointed out, most of the public just goes along with just about any doctor's advice without doing ANY research on root causes, natural remedies, or alternatives toward restoration.

The other day my wife was at work, and a woman was walking with a limp and she and my wife started talking.  Turns out the lady has a Morton's Neuroma.  
So, my wife, who is super approachable, starts to mention how I HAD one, and how I healed it going the route of getting out of conventional shoes, going zero-drop, and also walking barefoot whenever I can.  The lady immediately starts to go down the road of, "Well, my foot doctor is one of the top doctors in the nation, and he said I should NEVER walk barefoot."  And my wife patiently tried to give some explanation as to why being barefoot can help splay the toes naturally and relieve the stress and pressure against the neuroma.  She just wouldn't listen.  Pride is a killer.

My guess is, based on my research and experience, that she is going to probably get the resection, and will likely be similar to many people that either get the stump growth and pain, or end up losing mobility of the foot...among other possibilities.  It pains me to say that, because there is a better way.  

Stay vigilant, and stay humble!  

Onward,
Shane

Since I get emails on this topic...

Hey Friends,
So, I was noticing that I tend to get certain questions more often about what I actually wear, as in wearing right now.  So, this is a way for me to post it for everyone that might venture to this page, as well as a shameless amazon plug.  *If anyone happens to find better pricing than amazon, I'm all ears.

OK, so just to recap, if needed, the Morton's Neuroma that I HAD in my left foot is 100% healed and gone!  I can honestly say that all the MN woes I had for months are gone.  It's quite amazing what the sclerosing did and what a difference it makes to have my foot back again.  I've been working out at pretty high intensity with weight training, and I have been running on concrete with my VFFs.  Which, btw, anyone that is trying to get $ from Vibram FiveFingers, I hope you reconsider.  I've publicly opted to not accept any payment from them for the lawsuit.  The company makes a great product, but like anything else with your body and fitness, you have to ease into something new.

Anyway, back to the topic - here is a little widget (below and to the left) that shows the EXACT shoes I am currently working in, working out in, and wearing casually.  It's "winter" now in Arizona, so I'm wearing the Vivobarefoot boots a bit more, but technically all of these are casual.  I haven't had to wear anything super formal in quite some time, but from what I can tell, Vivo does have options with the shiny leather if someone needs to go that route.

For those in the U.S, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!  


Onward,
Shane

Vivobarefoot Evo Lite

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share an update - I recently found an awesome deal on amazon and was able to snag these bad boys for about $60!  Retail is normally $130.  

As you know, my foot is doing awesome, and these Vivobarefoot Evo Lites are great for a couple reasons:

1. I can wear my Correct Toes in them (I still wear them because I believe it still helps my foot anatomy.  It took years to get jacked up, and it will probably take a year to get back to a true natural state).
2. They look great.  It's good to have footwear like this because it is also a great conversation starter if you want an ice breaker to help people realize they might be wearing expensive garbage for shoes.
3. They are zero-drop and they have wide toe boxes.  Very natural layout and design.  Big score there.

So, as you can imagine, if you happen to be in the market for good shoes, I still suggest the Altra brand, as well as Lems, but these Evo Lites are really sharp and they might be a great match for some of you.  You can read the reviews on amazon to determine your sizing.  I normally wear a U.S 12.5 or 13, and I ordered these in the 47, which is also what I wear for my Vibram Five Fingers.

Be well!

Listen to your toes - a lightbulb moment

So, I was just taking look at my toes yesterday, June 19, 2014, now that my foot is getting back to proper anatomy and feeling way better, and I realized that the callouses I had on each pinky toe, on the bottoms, are gone.  You see, I had these callous shapes of an upside down triangle, I guess that would be the easiest way to imagine it/describe it, on each pinky toe.  As far back as I can remember, I had those things and I never thought anything of it!  So, from a symptom side of things, my toes were "telling" me that my footwear was too tight in the toe box!  I'm so ticked I did not think to pause and ponder that back then.  It was an opportunity for what could have been a great Aha! moment.  But it might still help one of you readers.

So, for those of you that are familiar with the general symptoms, please check the toes of your kids, because I know for sure had the callouses when I was in high school playing football, as well as during college football.  Not to mention, I had the callouses even in the off season when I wasn't in cleats, which means I haven't been in correctly fitting shoes, athletic or otherwise, for more than 18 years.  So, long story short - I think the callous check should be added to the medical symptoms board for Morton's Neuroma.

Happy Healing!