A Beginners Guide to Barefoot Trail Running - and yes, it has drastically changed my life...

[@tcoco3797]

I think you explained why i like trail running so much, it connects you with the ground and the environment. I am also studying physical therapy, and find barefoot running really interesting in terms of injury prevention!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

amazing!

[@deldridg]

Hey Josh - cheers from Sydney, Aust! Great vid and excellent points. I've been a trail runner for many years and have had a couple of failed attempts to go minimalist => barefoot. Each time I've simply not taken the appropriate amount of time to adapt. Now I'm going about it in a more measured and gentle way and today had my first decent trail walk - just under 3km of pure trail, naked from the knees down! It feels so rewarding and I could really sense my gait changing, the landings were evolving and as you say, my feet were almost molding to the landings. Of course, there is no better way to feel totally connected to the environment. Really makes me want to love and protect it even more. Now my kids are joining me on the barefoot quest! Many thanks and keep enjoying that gorgeous countryside you're living in! Cheers - Dave

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

This comment made my day, I love hearing stories like this! You really do need to know yourself and make the transition in a way that feels smart and aligned, but we keep growing as we put ourselves in new experiences.

[@billfoster4147]

Go Dave!!! Bill from Bundaberg (bare foot forever).

[@deldridg]

@@billfoster4147 Thanks Bill! You must have tough feet mate - the ground up in Bundy is a bit warmer than down here! Tomorrow I'll take inspiration from you and get these delicate tootsies into the bush again. Cheers - Dave

[@quietfire286]

Brilliant video

[@Jcthered]

Awesome video buddy, thank you! Hi from Colorado Springs... Moving back to CA at the end of this year, and super looking forward to running barefoot again on more humus terrain. What brought me to this vid is looking for more everyday/trail barefoot shoes that won't wear out so fast... but you reminded me that's not possible! Shoes aren't alive. ... I had a similar intuitive experience that led me to running barefoot in the Humboldt forest, it's freaking amazing. Much love

[@ToadyWoods]

“Cool things about humans is that we can run for almost forever” “I’d probably run naked if I could.” 🤪😎😂😀

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

heheh same

[@thelischa1]

Yeeeees! Finally another human being who says "I look at my feet everyday and I love them!" Barefoot for life :) Thanks for your wonderful videos!

[@bluecoture042]

-Trail Running- -Barefoot Running- Flamboyant Frolicking

[@DanBanan69]

It's interesting how running barefoot suddenly makes us aware that our body and our lives can be managed in a much more natural way than before. The exact same thing that happened to you happened to me as well. It's not just about running without shoes, it's a lot bigger than that and encompasses so many things. It's beautiful.

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Yes so true and I appreciate you sharing!

[@MrCmon113]

What could it possibly mean to manage sth in a natural way? And how could it be natural to run without shoes when people everywhere in the world developed shoes? I don't care what is "natural", I run barefoot, because it's badass and fun.

[@iamkarljones]

"it feels like dancing" ... That's exactly how I feel when running barefoot. Lovely description and great video content. Keep it authentic. Regards.

[@kylapoquiz2616]

The short strides you did reminded me of the Temple Run game! The runner just gets faster as he/she levels up!

[@fvelame]

I'm running wearing sandals for about 5 years, and since 3 months ago I accepted the idea of running barefoot. Living in a big Brazilian city includes some risk related to the surface quality. Great part os the streets are not exactly clean, and may include pieces of glass and other inconvenient materials. Most of our urban trails have a lot of gravel, what can be quite uncomfortable for running barefoot. Additionally, asphalt and concrete in tropical weather can be quite hot in sunny days. In spite of that, I'm felling pretty well, made 21k distance for about 5 times, and my longest barefoot distance so far was 27,4Km (17 miles). My feet look fine, just some extra attention in the post-run shower.

[@mikasd9]

That's insane!!

[@fvelame]

@@mikasd9 My barefoot progress keep going on. I did 21k ten times during 10 days, no problem. Also ran a marathon distance. And a few weeks ago I did my 21K personal best of 1h21'18. By now I did 1,380Km barefoot in 2021. On Sunday I will take part of the Wings for Life World Run, expecting to reach about 36Km.

[@KRS_5150]

Thanks for the video! Much love brother ✌🏼

[@ymaid]

*Nice video man!* *Next week I will walk 100 km (652 miles) barefoot in 24 hours* *Greetings from Belgium!*

[@TheShortBuss06]

65.2 miles? If so I’m very impressed. But 652 miles is impossible in 24 hrs

[@ymaid]

@@TheShortBuss06 yes hahaha 62 miles

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

woah amazing, how was it!?

[@fredkennedy8435]

Dang man, such a beautiful area you've been living in.

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Grateful for this place though I am moving soon

[@DevRunner]

This is so cool - I watched your channel for cool foodie stuff in the past and now here you are running! I'm a road marathoner and KZbinr myself, but I run trails on my easy days - now you take it to the next level! Keep it up with these running vids!

[@davidbrizuela1042]

Josh one thing is not needing shoes but water is necessary, be safe

[@billfoster4147]

Yay from Australia! Shoes? Just a fad! (I LOVE my bare feet on the Earth). Thanks for this video. Bill Ps I agree, you cannot 'teach' barefoot running. Leave it up to, um, 2.4 million years of natural instinct!

[@MrCmon113]

People have thrown stuff for millions of years - that doesn't mean you can't get better at throwing with technique.

[@jfromjupiter3036]

Great video 🙌. Awesome to see. Just started barefoot running last week. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, your video shows otherwise. Nice one. Keep it up 👍

[@markwalsh6714]

Really informative video Thankyou enjoyed watching that.

[@bikerdude6119]

My arch is high ,ive had callouses on my feet since before i started running .i never had a runner injury before ,should i try barefooted shoes? I live in LA so hazards prevent me from going completely barefoot. I ran 24 miles today but im only sore

[@kibareh2606]

Get lots of water as well 👍 keep your body “well”.

[@serpenthydra]

This video should be at the back of 'Born To Run', as additional learning material...!

[@jacobtrageton8439]

love the video, starting barefoot running a few weeks back now no turning back once you start. love your book btw helping me a lot rn

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Great to hear!

[@maxziebell4013]

Love your channel, motivation and personal insights! BTW crazy good image stabilization these days… your running? What… ? Feels like you are filming on rails 😎

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Appreciate it! I just got the new GoPro and it has wild stabilization

[@tylerx8848]

I loved this wholesome and educational video. I want nothing more than to run like this but my calves and ankles don't have a great range of motion, has anyone else overcome this?

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

start really slowly and you can work your way into it over time.

[@Bigtreesandthings]

I have never related with a video so much in my life

[@tonyrabone4668]

Very natural and intuitive rather than technical

[@SirFrancisBaconn]

Number one tip: Stay up to date with your tetanus shots.

[@marcuspollett3157]

Thanks so much. Awesome, I've recently started BF running after reading Born To Run and this video was so helpful, particularly about finding my groove (slow enough so that i'm nose breathing) so that I can get that feeling of being able to run forever and occassionally having a burst of speed because it feels so good to do that for no particular reason.

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Hi Josh. Barefoot is nice. Glad to see you so happy and grounded. ✌️

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Yes indeed!

[@oferbechor1579]

THANK YOU

[@christyj24]

I was always barefoot as a kid. I hate wearing shoes

[@AustenSummers]

This is similar to how I feel while playing sports

[@mantomalice1706]

barefoot running not selling anything.. no sponsor

[@antoynebeaucheminroy9197]

I also do barefoot trail running and it is by far my favorite activity. Try it out!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

yes yes!

[@williamraley2142]

Is this Sunshine Canyon? Awesome trail to run!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

si!

[@myotheraccount17]

Crazy. I just watched this video maybe a week ago to check out what you had to say about barefoot running. And today I was looking up videos about Tibetan singing bowls and found your video from 3 years ago. Guess I need to subscribe. 😅

[@Saiarts_yt]

I like barefoot running. I haven't tried running barefooted, but with zero drop shoes I experience the world and the ground differently. Since I am interested in running with zero drop shoes on trails. I need help with searching for keywords or sentence on running with minimalist shoes.

[@axolotl8316]

I used to play barefoot indoor soccer, i got those calluses too, but idk why, they don’t hurt at all

[@nonibbity]

Great video! I’ve been barefoot walking for the last few months and I totally agree with the presentness, the sense of connection to the earth. I’ve had that same intuition of, ‘Get your shoes off!’ I’m also in Boulder and I know the trail you’re on, which I used to hike/run a lot until my dog started getting too closed to the road. I love Ceran St Vrain for that reason - plus it has water and so many terrain changes. When I’m walking I feel like I am always looking down to avoid things that are going to hurt if I step on them wrong. When the trail isn’t as clear as the one you’re on, do you still have to slow down a lot and pay more attention to the ground or have your feet adapted? I mean like on pokey, loose gravel kind of thing. Also, your feet are beautiful! I love the way my toes feel when I’m rock hopping and grabbing onto the rock with them - feels like a ancient remembering.

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Nice! Eventually Your feet sense the ground more so you aren’t glued to watching the ground but that’s why I always start slow. I also wrote a book and made an entire course about living Barefoot if you want to know more, the book is free in my bio link

[@gto433]

Never breezed through a video like that

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

👌

[@G1aVoL]

Thank you for the great video!

[@xd-os7jl]

Who needs guide for barefoot running xD? Just remember to not wear shoes.

[@maxziebell4013]

If that is all you got from the video you should rewatch it. I grew up barefoot (early childhood) in Spain but now I am in a city and it's disgusting for barefoot walking here. Next time I am in the country I'll give it a go… but it takes time and cornea.

[@xd-os7jl]

@@maxziebell4013 if you need tutorial on how to walk barefoot then idk

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Lol

[@sazji]

@@xd-os7jl We do know generally, and I was barefoot for 6 months out of the year as a kid. But being more or less required to wear shoes as adults, we get trained out of it. Our shoes mostly have raised heels, or thick heel cushioning on running shoes, which also change our posture and the way we hit the ground. When you first switch to barefoot, or barefoot shoes, your calves and sometimes ankles often have to catch up, and if you rush it or hold onto old habits and posture you can end up hurting yourself.

[@MrCmon113]

If you do that, you'll injure yourself. As he said, on a trail you'll be forced to take small quick steps dodging roots and stones.

[@marloon5]

I read that it is better to land on the small toe side rather than the big toe side.

[@pilarcasas1199]

Great content. Thanks ♥️

[@davidmiller2947]

This video got you a sub! Thank you!!

[@brianmacc1934]

Cow muck ... wot say you ?

[@trailrunningphil]

Do you own any pairs of barefoot shoes when your in the city?

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

yes, Xero sandals are great

[@thebarefootdaddy6600]

Dude, this is great stuff and so true!

[@vincechristopher6096]

Im glad i found this video

[@TheWallace74]

Great video thx

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MrHot4569]

Josh where in boulder do you live? I go to CU!

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

Sunshine canyon but moving out tomorrow and leaving!

[@MrHot4569]

Aw shit we’ll miss you!

[@thatgh0stvariety814]

hey I also go to CU!

[@NaruIchiLuffy]

goata

[@MrKubben90]

try walking bare foot in the winter ..

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

I have it’s wild, painful at times and wonderful at other times

[@MrCmon113]

Living in southern Germany I can actually do that if there's no snow. The forest ground seems to be warmer than the streets. But yeah, you have to build up to it and I can't run for long on cold streets either.

[@judethree4405]

Stop with the raising the kerchief over your face while passing someone on the trail. There is no viral danger, and that doesn’t do anything anyway. It just makes you look dumb and afraid, and it’s a little disrespectful.

[@sazji]

The video was done a year ago, and we didn’t really have as good an idea of what our risk for spreading it outside was. There is absolutely nothing disrespectful there; we wear masks to keep from infecting others, not to keep them from infecting us. So he was working to prevent that to the best of his knowledge at the time.

[@MrCmon113]

How could a physical barrier possibly "not do anything"?