Daniel Priestley

almost universal among Native American populations, Native American tribes. Everybody had long distance races and ball games, and they all had a spiritual element. It's just that they've retained their traditions because they're in a very remote part of Mexico that's essentially inaccessible. We all used to do this. All humans used to do this.

In fact, if you look around the world, every population has a tradition of endurance events.

In fact, if you look around the world, every population has a tradition of endurance events.

Plantar fasciitis is what I would call a mismatch disease, right? A disease that's more common or more severe because our bodies are inadequately adapted to modern environments. And in your case, and as is the case with a lot of people, you have a weak foot. So we, you know, you look like you go to the gym. Looks like you're a pretty fit person, right? I'll make a bet.

Plantar fasciitis is what I would call a mismatch disease, right? A disease that's more common or more severe because our bodies are inadequately adapted to modern environments. And in your case, and as is the case with a lot of people, you have a weak foot. So we, you know, you look like you go to the gym. Looks like you're a pretty fit person, right? I'll make a bet.

You strengthen pretty much every muscle group in your body except your feet.

You strengthen pretty much every muscle group in your body except your feet.

Well, but we don't. One of the reasons is because we encase our feet in stiff-soled shoes that are very comfortable. And the reason the shoes are comfortable is that your foot muscles have to do less work when you're using those shoes. We have shoes that are stiff soles. They have arch supports. And your foot has four layers of muscles in them. And those muscles are supporting your arch.

Well, but we don't. One of the reasons is because we encase our feet in stiff-soled shoes that are very comfortable. And the reason the shoes are comfortable is that your foot muscles have to do less work when you're using those shoes. We have shoes that are stiff soles. They have arch supports. And your foot has four layers of muscles in them. And those muscles are supporting your arch.

And at the bottom of those four layers of muscles is this layer of connective tissue, the plantar fascia. And the problem with the plantar fascia is that if it stretches too much, like anything else, it gets inflamed. But it's got almost no vascularization. So it's very hard for it to repair itself when it gets inflamed.

And at the bottom of those four layers of muscles is this layer of connective tissue, the plantar fascia. And the problem with the plantar fascia is that if it stretches too much, like anything else, it gets inflamed. But it's got almost no vascularization. So it's very hard for it to repair itself when it gets inflamed.

To prevent plantar fasciitis, the best way to preventing it is having a strong foot. A strong foot's a healthy foot. So the way to treat the disease on the long term is to strengthen your foot. But if you want to just alleviate the symptoms, That's what your podiatrist did.

To prevent plantar fasciitis, the best way to preventing it is having a strong foot. A strong foot's a healthy foot. So the way to treat the disease on the long term is to strengthen your foot. But if you want to just alleviate the symptoms, That's what your podiatrist did.

By giving you an insole, it's basically preventing your arch from collapsing as much, making it more comfortable so your plantar fascia gets stressed less, and so it kind of alleviates that stretching and hence the pain. So that's a typical example of what I call dis-evolution. It's what happens when you treat the symptoms of a mismatched disease rather than their causes or preventing their causes.

By giving you an insole, it's basically preventing your arch from collapsing as much, making it more comfortable so your plantar fascia gets stressed less, and so it kind of alleviates that stretching and hence the pain. So that's a typical example of what I call dis-evolution. It's what happens when you treat the symptoms of a mismatched disease rather than their causes or preventing their causes.

So podiatrists are a bit like drug pushers in that sense, right? Because they're essentially putting your foot in a cast, right? And then for the rest of your life, you kind of have to keep using them unless you strengthen your feet. So there's nothing wrong with those, you know, treating the symptoms. I mean, pain is no fun. So where are the insoles, right?

So podiatrists are a bit like drug pushers in that sense, right? Because they're essentially putting your foot in a cast, right? And then for the rest of your life, you kind of have to keep using them unless you strengthen your feet. So there's nothing wrong with those, you know, treating the symptoms. I mean, pain is no fun. So where are the insoles, right?

To kind of, you know, alleviate the pain, but also work on strengthening your foot. And I think you'll find that the plantar fasciitis will disappear and never come back.

To kind of, you know, alleviate the pain, but also work on strengthening your foot. And I think you'll find that the plantar fasciitis will disappear and never come back.

Good question. So there are some exercises. They're kind of foot doming exercises and things like that. I can send you some links to videos showing you some good foot strengthening exercises. So that's one way to do it. But the other way is to wear more minimal shoes, to wear shoes that aren't stiff-soled, that don't have arch supports. Go barefoot a lot, right?