The Foot Doctor: What Your Feet Reveal About How Long You'll Live

Courtney Conley, leading foot health specialist and author of Walk, joins The Tamsen Show to talk about the one part of your body that's been quietly running your life: your feet. You've been strength training. You've been paying attention to your hormones, your sleep, your pelvic floor. But have you looked at your feet lately? One in three people over 45 have foot pain, and most of them don't connect it to their back pain, their balance issues, or their cognitive health. Scientists now call walking speed the sixth vital sign. How fast you move, and whether you can pick up your pace, can predict dementia up to seven years before diagnosis. Courtney Conley has spent her career studying what happens from the ground up. She was a ballet dancer who developed bunions and stress fractures young, couldn't find answers, went to school, and built a practice around helping women get strong below the knee. In this episode, she explains what happens when we wear the wrong shoe and teaches you practical ways to start taking your foot health seriously so you can live a longer, healthier, and happier life. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why one in three women over 45 have foot pain and what's actually causing it How years of wearing heels shortens your calf and locks your ankle and why that's behind more back pain than you'd think Why gait speed is the sixth vital sign What slow walking speed can predict How menopause and perimenopause change the structure of your foot and what to do about it The connection between your pelvic floor and your big toe Why the most cushioned shoe in your closet may be making your balance worse The washcloth drill you can do today to reduce your risk of falling What flip flops are actually doing to your toes while you walk How many steps a day you should be walking The research on walking speed and cancer risk Which shoe brands actually respect the anatomy of your foot Shop Dr. Conley’s recommendations: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/53... You’ll never walk the same after listening to this episode. MORE FROM THE TAMSEN SHOW: If you liked this conversation, check this out: The #1 Longevity Doctor: How Women Can Burn Fat, Build Muscle & Age Strong (https://bit.ly/tts-yt-vonda-courtney) and How Getting Stronger as You Age Can Change Everything (https://bit.ly/tts-yt-gabrielle-courtney) STAY CONNECTED WITH TAMSEN: Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-newsletter Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, How To Menopause: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-book Free Resources from Tamsen: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-hub Watch all the episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-playlist Follow Tamsen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-ig2 The Tamsen Show on Instagram: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-ig1 Follow Tamsen on TikTok: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-tt 🧡 LEAVE A REVIEW If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... SPONSORS: This show is sponsored by Midi Health. Visit https://joinmidi.com/TAMSEN today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit. Midi. The Care Women Deserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code TAMSEN at https://www.irestorelaser.com/TAMSEN! #irestorepod TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 03:10 The Hidden Link Between Foot Pain, Sleep, And Longevity 05:24 The Truth About High Heels And Foot Damage 08:17 Are Cushioned Sneakers Ruining Your Balance? 09:35 Why Flip-Flops Are Worse Than You Think 13:15 Your Feet Grow As You Age 14:32 Why Menopause Can Change Your Foot Size 16:30 How To Strengthen Your Feet And Prevent Falls 19:57 The Connection Between Foot Pain, Back Pain, And Gait 21:52 Slow Walking Speed Could Predict Dementia 29:51 How To Prevent Plantar Fasciitis And Heel Pain 35:08 The Best Shoes For Strength Training And Healthy Aging Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. ABOUT TAMSEN: Tamsen is a journalist, NYT best-selling author, podcast host, filmmaker and menopause advocate. As host of The Tamsen Show Podcast, she’s become a powerful voice in the conversation about midlife. She is the creator and producer of The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause and The (M) Factor 2: Before The Pause, groundbreaking documentaries calling for change in women’s health. #thetamsenshow #foothealth #womenshealth