Starting off on the right foot…

So why Happy Feet? Do I obsess about feet? Truth be told, not really–it just seems that way. By nature, I am a helping person and years of experience providing foot care to athletes has taught me that people want current and relevant information about their feet. That’s what this blog will strive to do in an interesting and fun sort of way. But, why me? Let me start off on the right foot by giving my credentials so you know I’m for real.
     In June of 1997 I self-published Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for Athletes at the urging of my son, Scott. I hoped for moderate success. My background was over 13 years of running ultras and fastpacking, including many 100 mile track runs, three Western States finishes, a 72-hour run, and the John Muir Trail. In the years since, I am amazed at the adventure this has become. Fixing Your Feet is now in its 3rd edition through Wilderness Press (great folks!) with over 300 pages dedicated to foot care. In September my free Fixing Your Feet E-zine will start its fifth year with over 1650 subscribers. I have patched thousands of feet at events with names like The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, Primal Quest Expedition Race, the Atacama Crossing, and the Avon Walk. When I go to these events, I teach MDs, RNs, podiatrists, paramedics, EMTs, and other interested people how to patch feet.
     On my Fixing Your Feet business cards, I list myself as "The Foot Guy" because that’s what so many people call me. I’m not a podiatrist, simply an ultrarunner and fastpacker who has taught himself a lot of cool stuff about feet (thanks to a lot of really nice people) about how to prevent problems and fix problems if they do develop. But, you should know, put me in a group of people and I spend a lot of time looking at shoes, socks, and when possible… their feet.