Wise Athletes Podcast by Joe Lavelle - Episode #146 :: A Strong Foundation For Athleticism | Tyler Benner of Strong Feet Athletics
In this episode of the Wise Athletes Podcast, host Joe Lavelle speaks with Strong Feet Athletics founder Tyler Benner about the role of foot strength, biomechanics, and natural movement in building long-term athletic performance.
Joe Lavelle is the creator and host of the Wise Athletes Podcast, a show dedicated to exploring how athletes can train intelligently, stay healthy, and maintain performance throughout their lives. Through conversations with coaches, researchers, and experienced athletes, Joe focuses on the principles that support sustainable training, resilience, and longevity in sport.
In the conversation, Tyler shares his background as a former Olympic-level archer and how his search for better alignment and performance led him into the study of posture, movement mechanics, and foot function. The discussion explores how modern footwear often restricts the natural shape and function of the foot, why toe splay and sensory feedback matter for balance and power, and how rebuilding foot strength can influence the entire kinetic chain.
Tyler also discusses the philosophy behind Strong Feet Athletics and the development of the Leviathan cycling shoe, designed to allow the foot to function naturally even in high-performance cycling. The episode highlights how restoring natural movement patterns, starting with the feet, can help athletes build stronger foundations for stability, efficiency, and long-term performance.
