Episode 261: Nike Mind — the "Un-Barefoot" Barefoot Shoe?
Wed Jan 07 2026
Nike says this new "brain-first" shoe can unlock focus and performance but does the science hold up, or is it just brilliant marketing?
In this episode of the The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Courtney Conley, Jay Dicharry, Dr. Irene Davis, and Dr. Emily Splichal who break down Nike's new sensory-focused shoe and the bold claims behind its "mind tech," from two-point discrimination to "amplifying" what your feet feel. The conversation challenges whether thick cushioning and widely spaced pods can truly enhance sensory input — and why novelty and instability can be mistaken for real performance gains. You'll also hear the bigger takeaway: how to think about foot strength, sensation, and movement so you're not buying a shortcut that quietly makes you weaker.
Key Takeaways:
→ How Nike's two-point discrimination explanation doesn't match the large, spaced pods on the shoes.
→ How Nike's design appears to ignore the toes, which is a major sensory area.
→ Why the thick, soft cushioning may mute sensation, contradicting Nike's claim.
→ Why claiming a shoe has both barefoot benefits and more protection is misleading.
→ How Nike's creation of a "minimalist shoe" sparks mainstream awareness of foot sensory science and education.
Courtney Conley is a chiropractic physician specializing in foot and gait mechanics. She holds a B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, as well as a B.A. in Human Biology in addition to a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine from the National University of Health Sciences.
Jay Dicharry is one of America's leading physical therapists and a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist. Dicharry's REP Lab is a national destination for elite athletes because he diagnoses and rebuilds injured endurance athletes.
Dr. Irene Davis is the founding Director of the Spaulding National Running Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Davis received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts, and in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida.
Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology.
Connect With Courney:
Website: https://gaithappens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaithappens/
Connect with Jay:
Website: https://anathletesbody.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydicharry/
Connect with Irene:
Website: https://www.irenedavisbooks.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-davis-2904158/
Connect with Emily:
Website: https://www.naboso.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naboso_technology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nabosotechnology
Connect with Steven:
Xero Shoes: https://xeroshoes.com/
Join the MOVEMENT Movement: https://jointhemovementmovement.com/
X: https://x.com/XeroShoes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeroshoes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeroshoes
More
Nike says this new "brain-first" shoe can unlock focus and performance but does the science hold up, or is it just brilliant marketing? In this episode of the The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Courtney Conley, Jay Dicharry, Dr. Irene Davis, and Dr. Emily Splichal who break down Nike's new sensory-focused shoe and the bold claims behind its "mind tech," from two-point discrimination to "amplifying" what your feet feel. The conversation challenges whether thick cushioning and widely spaced pods can truly enhance sensory input — and why novelty and instability can be mistaken for real performance gains. You'll also hear the bigger takeaway: how to think about foot strength, sensation, and movement so you're not buying a shortcut that quietly makes you weaker. Key Takeaways: → How Nike's two-point discrimination explanation doesn't match the large, spaced pods on the shoes. → How Nike's design appears to ignore the toes, which is a major sensory area. → Why the thick, soft cushioning may mute sensation, contradicting Nike's claim. → Why claiming a shoe has both barefoot benefits and more protection is misleading. → How Nike's creation of a "minimalist shoe" sparks mainstream awareness of foot sensory science and education. Courtney Conley is a chiropractic physician specializing in foot and gait mechanics. She holds a B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, as well as a B.A. in Human Biology in addition to a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine from the National University of Health Sciences. Jay Dicharry is one of America's leading physical therapists and a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist. Dicharry's REP Lab is a national destination for elite athletes because he diagnoses and rebuilds injured endurance athletes. Dr. Irene Davis is the founding Director of the Spaulding National Running Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Davis received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts, and in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida. Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology. Connect With Courney: Website: https://gaithappens.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaithappens/ Connect with Jay: Website: https://anathletesbody.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydicharry/ Connect with Irene: Website: https://www.irenedavisbooks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-davis-2904158/ Connect with Emily: Website: https://www.naboso.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naboso_technology/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nabosotechnology Connect with Steven: Xero Shoes: https://xeroshoes.com/ Join the MOVEMENT Movement: https://jointhemovementmovement.com/ X: https://x.com/XeroShoes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeroshoes/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeroshoes