#19 - Golden Harper: Elite Running, Goal Setting, and the Science Behind Healthy Feet
Listen Here: Apple | Spotify
My guest today is Golden Harper, the founder of Altra Running, an athletic shoe company known for their excellent trail running shoes. Before starting Altra, Golden was an elite runner himself. We talked about his impressive race history, goal setting versus following a process, and Golden's unique education.
We also went deep on the science behind Altra shoes and how nearly all of us are destroying our feet with modern surfaces and the shoes we wear. This is one of those conversations that could change your life in a big way. Foot health affects nearly everything upstream, and by understanding that, we can set ourselves up for healthier, more functional, and more comfortable lives.
Golden was generous enough to provide a discount for listeners of the podcast. Use code FOOTSHAPE15 for 15% off full-priced items at Altra Running.
Selected links from the show:
Show notes:
01:10 - How Golden and I met on the top of a mountain
04:53 - How Golden got into trail running
07:15 - Why Golden ran a marathon at age ten
13:50 - Finding your six foot tall trophy
17:30 - Goals vs. processes
22:01 - The power of visualization to accomplish your goals
23:27 - Having a focus on the present
26:00 - Golden's early involvement in the running shoe industry
"Almost all chronic foot conditions in the world come from shoes."
29:32 - Golden's unique college education
35:50 - Why Golden moved to Hawaii and what he did there
41:40 - The moment when Golden knew he had to start a shoe company
53:38 - The science behind Altra shoes
1:06:15 - Science vs. marketing
"There are over 200 studies done in the last 25 years on overpronation and injuries, and there's no significant link."
1:10:05 - The counter-intuitive truth about cushioning in shoes
"If you're somebody that has problems with your joints, the best thing you can do is go find the most uneven ground you can and run on it as much as possible."
1:16:00 - Supportive shoes are the cause of chronic foot conditions not the cure for it
1:25:11 - Golden's product recommendation for runners
1:28:02 - Golden's most gifted books
1:29:08 - Golden's advice to a recent college grad
"If it comes to helping people or making money, choose helping people. Karma's real. If you do the right thing, the money will come later."
1:32:50 - Where to connect with Golden
