Dr Barefoot Pat

After a life with little sport and bad habits (such as smoking), I had a spine surgery at the age of 40 to remove a collapsed vertebral disk between L5 and S1. Then, I discovered very high blood pressure (210-110) and I had a heart attack at the age of 44. I also have a broken ankle on the left foot (paragliding accident), and hip arthrosis on the right leg (karate).

With all these ailments (especially the spine and hip), I have no choice but to run correctly.

Now, all pains are gone (well almost since my hip has a torn labrum and my sciatic nerve is a tad crushed by the operation scar, but that's OK, since it is stable with Gentle Running)). With the help of my good doctors and several drugs for the rest of my life (aspirin, beta-blocker, statin, etc), I can have a normal life and with Gentle Running, I keep my muscles and joints in perfect working condition.

Since I also was a sports nerd when I was young (my classmates were fighting NOT to have me in their team), I seized to opportunity to reconcile myself with my body by achieving some deeds I considered impossible before. I ran my first Marathon at the age of 50, and finished my first Olympic Triathlon at the age of 52. I finished my 1st Ultra Trail in 2013.

Now, I teach Gentle Running and Living for free in Geneva or everywhere I go (Paris, Chicago, New York, etc).

I also run several Marathons and Ultras per year. Marathons in Huaraches and Barefoot, and Ultras in Huaraches and Natural Shoes (Merrell, Topo, Altra).