#290 | Stronger Feet, Stronger Mindset: Dr. Jen Perez on Building a Resilient Foundation Feet First

What if stronger, smarter feet could lower injury risk, improve balance, and even support your mental well-being?Michael talks with Dr. Jen Perez from Gait Happens about why foot health is foundational for overall health—whether you’re rehabbing, training, or just trying to feel steadier day to day. They unpack how footwear choices, toe mobility, and the nervous system (hello, breath!) influence balance, pain, and resilience—plus simple ways to start strengthening from the ground up.Understand the “neuro-musculoskeletal” connection: how stress, breath, and feet interact.Learn the 5-4-3: Lift–Spread–Reach toe drill, calf raises, barefoot time, and when to use toe spacers.Get smart on shoes: wide toe box, minimal necessary cushion, and how to transition safely (no “day-one marathon” in minimalist shoes!).Hear why foot strength matters for fall risk, confidence after injury, and athletic performance.Discover the deep front line: diaphragm ↔ pelvic floor ↔ arch ↔ big toe (and how humming/breathing helps it all work together).Press play and treat your feet to a quick reset—then try 5–10 minutes of barefoot walking and 20 reps of Lift–Spread–Reach today. Stronger feet, steadier you.Receive one of my FREE Pause Breathe Reflect Stickers via this link sticker.Sign up for My RIPPLE EFFECT newsletter by clicking Ripple Effect or finding me on Substack. We can also connect on LinkedIn. Download the Pause Breathe Reflect App with Microdose EQ by clicking App on your smartphone. Subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the micro-meditations, wellness tips, and guidance that I publish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:11 am. With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Mindfulness, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome PTSD, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on building resilience, fitness, and stress management, as well as mindfulness practices and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools such as breathwork, micro-dose meditation, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress reduction. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embodies healing as a transformative process, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and overwhelm to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.