Quantcast
Channel: Be Greater Than You »» The Stories
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 53

B>U Feature Story: Coach Jeff Stapleton and his feat of barefoot running

$
0
0
barefoot running strength conditioning

Coach Jeff Stapleton inspires the barefoot running experience.

While we don’t have the budget to interview our B>U features personally (yet), I can still feel the energy, enthusiasm and feisty personality of Running Coach Jeff Stapleton through our virtual communication. But, if I had to run up to Ontario, Canada to interview Coach Jeff Stapleton I would have to run up there in feet of bare or he would kick my rear (with his bare feet).

If  you haven’t gotten the puns yet then you need to know what Jeff’s greatest feat is as a running coach. It’s to remind us that we have ran our 25,000 years of evolution without shoes. And, as such, why do we suffer ourselves in both the commercialism and detriment of “coffins” known in the modern society as “shoes”. Again, I am re-iterating the spirit and passion Jeff has about running, coaching and doing it all with bare footedness.

And, it’s hard to argue. Jeff, at 60 years of age, runs a half-marathon in an hour and 38 minutes barefoot. If that is not a hero of being greater than yourself then I don’t know what to say. Except, take your shoes off and walk across the street while wincing and think about Jeff who, not only, runs every day for miles in the Canadian cold and on asphalt but inspires others to go shoeless and experience the mindfulness and raw power running bare foot.

But, don’t take my word for it as I might stick my bare foot in my mouth. I sent Jeff some questions and he fired back his answers. So, here they are, un-edited and uncensored. I wanted you to feel his great energy and be inspired as I was the first moment I read about the barefoot running coach from Canada, Jeff Stapleton, and his “Team Over the Top”.

 

You seem very passionate about barefoot running and even critical of running with shoes. You even call shoes “coffins”. Explain that stance.

I call running shoes “coffins” due to the fact that when you put anything on your feet, you ‘deaden’ (thus, the word ‘coffin’) the sensory feedback & proprioceptive firing so critical to moving lightly, safely & efficiently over any surface. When running barefoot, you automatically activate all nerve endings, muscles, ligaments & tendons of the feet to support the rest of your body as God wished.

 

When, how and where you did get the epiphany regarding barefoot running?

Runner Jeff Stapleton with his B>U shirt on

Jeff epitomizes the B>U spirit

I went barefoot with all of my cousins at our summer cottage in Inverhuron – every summer from ages 2 thru 17. We didn’t even own ‘coffins’. I could run fast & strong over any surface.

Of course, as I headed back to ‘civilization, shoes of some sort were taken for granted. I did not re-discover the merits of barefoot running etc. until 12 years ago whilst living in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada. This was after a series of avoidable ‘itis’ running injuries whilst running in a variety of ‘coffins’.

When I developed severe Achilles tenderness, I said “enough”! With a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, I knew all about what I SHOULD be doing re: safe running but was NOT doing it.

This was my 2nd coming on barefoot running. I simply threw away my coffins, brought in the 1st pair of Vibram FFs from Italy to the Canadian running scene (which I only wear if it’s below -15 degrees C in Canada) and went on my barefoot running journey.

Do you get strange looks from others when you tell them about barefoot running? How do you respond?

I still get strange looks & comments from all types of people…the most common is “how are your feet?” To which I respond, “How do they look?” To which they respond “great!” To which I respond, “Well, then, get rid of your coffins!” and I take off (I run at a sub 4:40/km pace over 1/2 marathon distance).

 

How does the “running establishment” feel about your running philosophy? What would Nike and others say about you? Have they ever commented about your running approach?

The so-called “running establishment” do not particularly like me – as a matter of fact, they loath me. I’ve been told that New Balance & Nike Canada specifically have told their sales team NOT to deal with me at any level. I have no idea if this is true & could care less. I take that as a compliment, actually. It means that they know I’m correct re: their development of ‘coffins’ and that they have no rebuttal to my techniques &, of course, my 100% record of injury-free running for ALL of my clients. Basically, they hope I’ll simply go away – I’m still considered pretty much a lone ‘barefoot running wolf’ in Canada. The running shoe companies have never commented directly to ME on my running approach BUT they offer seminars now that closely mimic much of my work.

 

Tell me about your coaching style. How do you inspire? How does barefoot running transcend to inspiration?

Running barefoot king Jeff Stapleton

Here’s Jeff (middle) with his “Team over the Top”.

My coaching style stems from my ability to instantly recognize flaws in one’s running technique. I have always possessed an innate ability to do this. Beyond that, I also happen to be good at physically demonstrating the process by which one can shift to safe, efficient, ‘squat/scoot running.

Within 40 to 45 minutes, I transform people from injury-riddled running messes to quiet, light, balanced cheetahs. I use an auditory, visual & tactile approach (in equal measure) in my coaching/training sessions.

Finally, I have a unique ability to assess strengths & weaknesses (both physical & mental) in my clients. This allows me to gain their confidence & move them to peak performance faster & safer

I use humour to ‘lighten’ the mood of tough training sessions & get key points across. This I also do naturally. At the same time, I inspire many simply by being 60 years old & still able to run a 1/2 marathon in 1:38…barefoot.

 

Why do you run?

I run because I’ve always run – basically, since I could walk! I don’t particularly like the physical act of running. It’s the single hardest thing a human being can attempt to do.

But I DO like the benefits of overall physical well-being, mental acuity, emotional stability obtained from running…barefoot. I didn’t like running in ‘coffins’ when I was always in pain of some sort but kept going. It’s the cheapest, most convenient form of activity & the best at controlling body fat content.

 

Is barefoot running a new fad? On the rise? On the decline? Out in the oddball arena? What’s your opinion?

Humans have been running barefoot since Adam & Eve, for crying out loud! 3/4 of the planet STILL go barefoot & many still RUN barefoot.

Go to India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Africa, South America, many parts of Mexico etc. etc. and the majority of kids & adults go barefoot – walking &/or running…and it’s NOT because they have no choice. It’s because they NEVER get ‘itis’ problems.

They seldomly get sick, they have no back/hip/knee problems…these are all problems of the’coffined’ world. Having said all that, the so-called “civilized’ world will NEVER endorse barefoot anything. Some may walk around the home, in the yard, on the beach barefoot BUT that will be it. Thus, barefoot running:

* is NOT a new ‘fad’

* is NOT on the rise (AWARENESS of it is on the rise – actually doing it?? no way)

* is NOT on the decline as it’s never been on the rise (in the ‘civilized’ world)

* IS in the ‘oddball’ category of the ‘civilized’ world only (those who never try yet judge are the true fools!)

My opinion is probably rather obvious to you by now. If you don’t run barefoot, you have no idea how to safely, efficiently & powerfully run – & I don’t care who the hell disagrees!

 

Describe your role in promoting the concept of barefoot running.

I don’t have a role in promoting barefoot running (at least in my opinion). I DO have a role in training my clients how to move safely, efficiently & powerfully no matter what they do in their lives.

I DO have a role in inspiring some to pursue the IDEA of training barefoot without actually RUNNING barefoot via my website, blog, twitter, facebook. My plan is to develop a DVD series on my squat/scoot technique & everything that goes into mastering it.

Maybe all of this ‘promotes’ the concept of barefoot running but, if that’s the case, it’s purely by accident.

 

Just another B>U Inspirational Story.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 53

Trending Articles