Our Ambassador, William Sichel, competed in this unique New York race earlier this summer completing 2904 miles in his Freet Connects, in the 52 days allowed and set multiple records at World, British and Scottish level and at a variety of distances, in what he has described as the most demanding event he has ever competed in. William commented:

“The combination of multiple days where the temperature passed 35 deg C, high humidity and prolonged torrential downpours, they were the most testing conditions I have ever been challenged with.”

William averaged 55.8 miles a day for the 52 days and finished as 5^th man and 7^th place overall.

From all of us at Freet, many congratulations William, and enjoy the recovery period!

Fabian, our Ambassador, just became World Champion in the 30-39 age group for the OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) Enduro World Championships in Sydney. Here he is shown at the finish in his Responds. Well done Fabian; that is one crazy hard sport!

‘I can’t express how much wearing freets has changed my time outdoors and also my awareness of my surroundings. After wearing the average shoe for 14 or 15 years of my life, my foot had slowly changed to render useless when barefoot. Jumping off even small heights created excruciating pain. My balance slowly deteriorated due to my toes being pushed together. Now, after almost 2 years after wearing freet shoes my feet are back up and running like a freshly serviced machine. They are the piece of engineering that they were supposed to be. Shock absorbing. Wide toe spread. And sensitive to the change in ground. Of course barefoot would be the ideal – but one must wear shoes when required – and freets are the best choice in my opinion!’

See Luther’s films here

https://theconversation.com/children-should-spend-more-time-barefoot-to-encourage-a-healthier-foot-structure-100289

Interesting article in the Times, 22 May, by Peta Bee, explaining how, for a stronger core, a flat tummy and an end to back pain, start your workout from the toes up

William Sichel, Freet Ambassador, runs 305.5km in 48hrs in his Freet Connect shoes in the Hungarian 48hr race setting new records. Orkney-based ultra marathon runner, William (64), celebrated his return to competitive ultra running, after a 6 month bereavement break.
William quotes Ryan Holiday: “Ego is the Enemy – the Obstacle is the Way”

‘Walking yields the right rythm for thinking’

See here for Radio link

Big decision? Take a hike…

Wherever you are, get back in touch with your body and allow ‘your foot to do what it is designed to do’. Article in Bushcraft & Survival magazine by @liveprimally wearing his Freet Leaps for hundreds of miles of long distance walking from UK to the African bush.

BBC News – School in Derbyshire positive results to trial on benefits of ‘shoeless environment’. “Children seem more relaxed and calmer”.

Findern Primary School in Derbyshire has been trialling the idea there are benefits to children’s learning when in a “shoeless” environment.

Professor Stephen Heppell from Bournemouth University said children behave better without shoes.

Findern head teacher Emma Tichener said the pupils have been “more relaxed”.

Prof Heppell researched the topic for more than 10 years in 25 countries.

Shoeless learning has been carried out in schools in Scandinavia and New Zealand and learning centres in other countries.

Mrs Tichener said: “We are noticing that the children seem more relaxed and calmer than usual,” she said.

“We hope that in time we can measure their progress and see if it has made a difference in their achievements.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-38806734