A few seasons back, I found myself at a retreat in the Smokey Mountains where participants were encouraged to spend time walking barefoot each morning. As someone who’d spent decades in supportive athletic shoes, I was skeptical about the benefits and worried about injury or discomfort. By the third day, something profound had shifted. Not…
Several years ago, I experienced what I now call my “foot awakening” during a wilderness camping trip in Georgia. On day two, I made the decision to ditch my hiking boots and spend the rest of the week barefoot around camp. https://www.rushwalter.com/holistic-strength-training-for-beginners/ What started as an experiment in comfort became one of the most profound…
Several years ago, I made one of the most humbling discoveries of my fitness career while helping an Atlanta trainer/friend working with a client from rural Kenya. Samuel had moved to the United States for college and was experiencing chronic foot and ankle problems for the first time in his life. He’d grown up barefoot,…
Five years ago, I made what seemed like a brilliant decision to help a friend completely outfit his garage with every piece of natural movement equipment I could find. Suspension trainers, parallette bars, gymnastic rings, balance boards, agility ladders, resistance bands, sandbags, maces, and kettlebells filled every corner. https://www.rushwalter.com/what-is-holistic-strength-training-guide-to-mind-body-fitness-in-2025/ He spent over $3,000 creating what…
A few years back, when gyms closed during the pandemic, I watched my carefully structured training routine hit a speed bump overnight. Like most fitness professionals, I stressed about losing all the equipment I thought I needed to stay strong and healthy. https://www.rushwalter.com/what-is-holistic-strength-training-guide-to-mind-body-fitness-in-2025/ Then my eight-year-old neighbor started playing in my backyard while I was…
Three years ago, my wife and I were on vacation in a remote location with no fitness center in sight. Mornings are my favorite time to exercise and I didn’t want to drive an hour one way to a gym. Instead, I was staring at nothing but trees, rocks, and a lake with no fitness…
You know, I used to think I had God all figured out when it came to strength. Growing up, I was that kid who always assumed the biggest, loudest person in the room was automatically the strongest – not just physically, but spiritually too. Man, was I wrong about that. It wasn’t until I really…
More than once I have discussed with folks the importance of moving with your body to gain strength and flexibility. https://www.rushwalter.com/what-is-holistic-strength-training-guide-to-mind-body-fitness-in-2025/ Even as a fitness equipment dealer for over 25 years I’ve integrated natural movements into my workouts and enjoyed the amazing benefits and look forward to sharing what I have learned with you. I…
Several years ago I began investigating the neurological adaptations that occur when people transition from traditional gym training to natural movement patterns. https://www.rushwalter.com/holistic-strength-training-for-beginners/ As someone who’d spent decades in conventional strength training and always open to better health, I was the perfect test subject. The results blew my mind. After just eight weeks of replacing…
Exercise is a great avenue for individuals with specific physical needs, as well as those who desire to build strength, and endurance. Your choices on the ways to exercise are seemingly endless. https://www.rushwalter.com/holistic-strength-training-for-beginners/ As you will find out if you don’t know already, like so many worthy endeavors even traditional exercise has more options than…
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