Plantar Fasciitis as a Teenager! How Charlie Reclaimed His Foot Health Naturally w/ Charlie Kirby

In this episode, Mac is joined by Charlie Kirby, a passionate coach and member of our TFC community, whose journey from chronic foot pain to barefoot freedom is both powerful and deeply personal. Charlie opens up about his early days playing football. Charlie dreamed of a career in the sport, when foot pain began to creep in around the age of 10—and how it slowly took a toll on his performance, confidence, and ultimately, his career. By 17, he had to give up the game he loved. But his story didn’t end there. Through grounding, switching to barefoot shoes, and reconnecting with the natural function of his feet, Charlie found not just relief—but a whole new mission: to help others, especially young athletes, avoid the same path of pain and dysfunction.

Together they explore the overlooked role of foot health in athletic performance, the silent epidemic of foot pain in football, and how making foot training fun might be the key to a much-needed cultural shift in coaching and youth development. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or just someone dealing with foot pain, this one’s packed with powerful, practical insights, and a lot of heart.

Follow Charlie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thatbarefootballer/

 If you want to learn more about our ultimate 12-week 'Foot Restoration Program' click here and use code 'R2E10' for 10% off: Foot Restoration Program (Our most effective online foot health solution)

Helpful Links & Discounts: ⬇️

Shop TFC tools and training (Use the code R2E10 to save 10%)

Shop Vivobarefoot (Use code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE to save up to 20%)

Follow Charlie on Instagram here.

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A Special Thanks to our sponsor of this episode: Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot ticks all the boxes when it comes to natural footwear: foot-shaped, fixed, flat, flexible, and designed to help you feel the ground. Their mission to promote human and planetary health aligns perfectly with ours at TFC.

To celebrate the launch of the new Primus Flow - Vivo’s first barefoot running shoes - we have a special offer just for our audience. If you use the code THEFOOTCOLLECTIVE25 to save 25% on selected styles until May 15 2025. Don’t think Vivo’s are for you, our footwear finders has a tonne of trusted natural footwear brands from around the world with special discounts. SHOP HERE.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, fitness, or treatment plans. 

Music: Just Stay - Strength To Last