183: Foot Health Is The New Sleep (And Might Be The #1 Longevity Marker Too) with Mark Sisson

"Foot health is the new sleep" … [And] it may be that big toe strength is probably the greatest proxy for longevity, well beyond VO2 max and grip strength over the age of 65." - Mark Sisson    The most neglected, overlooked, and downright ignored aspect of your overall health and longevity isn't your VO2 max, your grip strength, or even your sleep.    It's your foot strength and health!    The reality is that your feet have evolved over thousands of years to be your interface with the ground and the universe. But modern society forces us to stuff them into cushiony shoes, which leads to foot muscle atrophy.    You might be wondering what the big deal is. But a lack of foot strength causes problems up the entire kinetic chain.    In other words: your feet may be responsible for your knee pain, your hip pain, your lower back pain, and even your neck pain!    It's also one of the primary driving factors behind why falls are often so fatal after 65.    But bestselling health author, co-founder of Peluva, and friend of the show Mark Sisson has you covered in this episode. Mark reveals why foot health is the new sleep, why it may be the greatest longevity marker we have, and how modern shoes have ruined your foot health.    Here's what Mark and I discuss:    Why foot health is more important than I ever realized  The importance of your feet being in contact with the ground  How weak feet lead to feet problems (as well as knee, hip, back, and neck pain)  How to ease your feet into being able to wear barefoot shoes    And so much more!   Listen now.     Other highlights include:    What actually causes bunions (and why it has nothing to do with your genetics)? (4:47)  Do balancing poses cause your feet to "hurt?" This is a common problem I hear … and yet Mark's reasoning about why you're feet aren't actually hurting demonstrates just how far our foot health has fallen (6:30)  Why you don't have flat fleet (even if your foot has lost its arch) (8:02)  How to roll your ankle without spraining it (and how this also prevents knee tweaks and pain) (8:44)  The bizarre reason running shoes are the primary driver of runner injuries (15:31)  The scientific "up the kinetic chain" reason why having weak feet results in bodily pain and injuries all over your body (21:30)  Try these overlooked foot exercises to strengthen your feet enough to wear barefoot shoes without pain (29:31)  Why weak feet are the silent culprit behind life-altering falls that shatter your hip in your 50s, 60s, and beyond (32:35)  Why big toe strength may be the greatest proxy for longevity over age 65 (that means it could be MORE important than VO2 max and grip strength) (35:45)  The "glove-shaped shoe" secret for strengthening your feet by doing nothing other than walking (44:30)    Resources mentioned in this episode:    1. Save 10% on Peluva's Barefoot Shoes with code ManFlowYoga: If you have lower back pain, hip pain, or knee pain, the problem may be your shoes. Not only do they feel like a mini foot massage with each step, but they're also the best way to strengthen your feet and relieve knee, hip, and lower back pain. Get your barefoot shoes here: https://peluva.com/    2. Get your free copy of The Definitive Guide To A Barefoot And Minimalist Shoe Lifestyle: If you want to learn more about the health benefits of barefoot living and why foot strength may be the #1 longevity marker of the future, get your free copy here: https://peluva.com/products/the-definitive-guide-to-a-barefoot-and-minimalist-shoe-lifestyle    3. Follow Mark Sisson and Peluva on Instagram:    @MarkSissonPrimal @WearPeluva    4. Man Flow Yoga Events: If you've been battling some of the themes I brought up in today's show alone, I want to invite you to come to an in-person event with me and other like-minded men. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/    5. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7