Inspired Soles

289. Waldo Cheung, MPT MSc | Do Running Shoes Really Matter? (And What Matters More)

Carolyn Coffin Episode 289

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I’m joined by returning guest Waldo Cheung—physiotherapist, educator with The Running Clinic, and one of my go-to voices for the science of running—for a timely conversation on shoes, injury risk, and what actually matters most. We explore the shift from the minimalist shoe movement of the early 2010s to today’s super shoe era, and whether all this innovation has meaningfully changed how and why runners get injured. Waldo shares what he’s seeing clinically, how footwear may influence (but not determine) injury patterns, and why training load—more than anything on your feet—remains the biggest driver of both performance and breakdown. If you’ve ever wondered whether your shoes are helping, hurting, or just distracting you from the bigger picture, this one’s for you.

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