EP26 - Barefoot Shoes, Downhill Fear & Sport’s Most Awkward Debate

It’s the return of ChatGBT – and you lot didn’t hold back. In this episode, Gary House, Ben Mounsey, and behind-the-scenes Chris tackle listener-submitted questions about running, gear, van life and (gulp) one of the most controversial debates in sport today.Expect brutally honest answers, thoughtful tangents, and more laughs than any coaching session should legally allow. From shoe drops and descending fears to gender categories and pub-run logistics, nothing is off limits.🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Downhill fear and how to overcome itAre barefoot and zero-drop shoes good for trail running?Transitioning to minimalist footwear without injuryTrail shoe trends (La Sportiva Prodigio and more)Campervan weekends, wild running spots, and pub runsWhy women’s and men’s shoes are designed differentlyThe transgender debate in sport: fairness vs inclusivity⏱️ Chapters:0:00 – Intro, fish finger sandwich trauma & Gary’s digestive gamble4:05 – How to build confidence when descending trails9:20 – Are barefoot shoes a good idea or a marketing gimmick?13:40 – Transitioning to minimalist footwear safely17:10 – La Sportiva Prodigio and what’s coming in trail shoes21:45 – Chris asks about Ben’s campervan pub-run in Wanlockhead26:30 – Wild running spots, Dales pubs, and van life chaos31:15 – Gendered shoe design: Men’s vs Women’s lasts35:00 – Should we have an open category in competitive sport?42:40 – Outro and closing thoughtsWhy You Should Listen:If you’re into shoes, trails, banter, van-based adventure or unfiltered honesty, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. It's one part running advice, one part pub chat, and one part full-send honesty about the culture of our sport.👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #BarefootRunning #ZeroDropShoes #RunningPodcast #DownhillRunning #OpenCategory #RunningGear #MinimalistRunning #GenderInSport #GaryHouse #BenMounseyRUNcensored Podcast 🎙The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod📩 Get in touch: [email protected] by Chris Davies, Eastwood Mediawww.eastwood-media.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.