Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

Use Your Eyes and Ears to Improve the Way You Move

Movement isn't just about muscles and joints. It's also about how our bodies are taking in, interpreting and responding to the world around us.Katy Bowman and Dr. Jeannette Loram discuss how listening can provide valuable information about how we're moving: listening to the sound of your feet landing as you walk, the rhythm and mechanics of rowing, the sound of your stroke as you swim, and even the timing and quality of the breath during exercise can attune you to the form and efficiency of your movement.The conversation turns to vision with neuro-optometrist Dr. Bryce Appelbaum. Katy and Dr Appelbaum explore the relationship between vision and movement, including how visual information can influence balance, spatial orientation and confidence when navigating complex environments. They discuss how our ability to perceive the physical world can be diminished by prolonged, narrow focus on our screens, and how menopause can make visually demanding tasks even more overwhelming. Dr. Appelbaum shares some eye exercises to help us take in more of the world around us—improving our visual system and physical competence at the same time.Finally, Katy and Jeannette answer a listener question about movement programmes for blind people.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript00:00:00 – Listening to gait 00:04:36 – Dynamic Collective sponsors  00:06:53 – Putting our senses to work: walking, rowing, swimming and soccer 00:25:29 – Vision is more than eyesight: how vision guides movement00:30:11 – Screens, peripheral vision & taking in the world00:48:42 – Vision and menopause: brain fog and overwhelm00:56:32 – Listener question on movement classes for blind people sponsored by Movemate Books, Podcasts & Other ResourcesPodcast: Can Exercise Fix Aging Eyes? Ep 186 — Move Your DNA PodcastPodcast: What’s It Like to Slowly Go Blind? — Search Engine PodcastBook: An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong Book: The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Book: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Connect with Dr. Bryce AppelbaumMy Vision First — Dr. Bryce Appelbaum’s Vision Therapy ClinicDr. Bryce Appelbaum on InstagramScreenFit™ by Dr. Bryce Appelbaum — take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTConnect, Move & Learn with KatyJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:Earth Runners:  makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingMy Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAFreet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT October Retreats 2026 

Raising Dynamic Kids: Monkey Bars, Fidget Seats & Phone Boundaries

Katy talks to kids raised in a dynamic, "low-furniture" home that swapped conventional couches for indoor monkey bars and balance toys. How did it go?Katy and Jeannette also talk about raising dynamic kids as they grow up, including family movement, getting teenagers to participate, and navigating phones and screen time. Then Katy talks to Pack Matthews, creator of the Soul Seat, about his new Fidget Seat designed for children, and how flexible seating can give kids more opportunities to move while they learn and can also help with focus and attention.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript0:00 — Katy’s dynamic home2:50 — The Dynamic Collective5:00 — Katy talks to kids raised in a “low-furniture” home28:19 — Listener question: Family movement and screen time, sponsored by Earth Runners44:00 — The Fidget Seat: Helping kids not sit stillBooks, Links and Resources:Grow Wild: The Whole-Child, Whole-Family Nature-Rich Guide to Moving More by Katy BowmanGrow WildA Video Tour of Katy’s Movement-Rich HomeA Home With No Furniture: Interview with Katy BowmanThe Fidget SeatThe Fidget Seat — a movement-first chair for kids designed to let them keep moving while they learnUse code DNA10 for 10% discount on the Fidget Seat Connect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAMovemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTVenn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingEarth Runners:  makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10 October Retreats 2026 

The Shape of Cycling — and How to Balance It

Cycling is fantastic for cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and getting around—but what happens when it becomes your main form of movement? In this episode, Katy Bowman and Dr. Jeannette Loram explore how cycling shapes the body, from bone health and posture to hip mobility, spinal curves, and pelvic comfort. They discuss why even healthy forms of exercise don't provide every movement nutrient you need, and share practical strategies to help cyclists enjoy the ride while supporting long-term strength, mobility, and resilience.Plus Katy speaks with Tyler Benner, founder of Strong Feet Athletics, about the role of the feet in cycling and what happens when we lock them into rigid compressive cycling shoes for hours at a time. They explore the benefits of a more foot-shaped, flexible cycling shoe and how allowing the feet more freedom may help support lower limb function both on and off the bike.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript0:22 — Dynamic Collective Sponsors2:37 — Introduction to Cycling, the Movement Diet, and the Tissues of the Body5:35 — Bone Density in Cyclists13:36 — Low Energy Availability in Cyclists: Effects on Hormones and Bones17:36 — How Your Body Can Become Semi-Fixed in a Cycling Shape20:04 — Hyperkyphosis and Cervical Issues25:19 — Pelvic Position and Compression30:47 — Practical Ways to Balance Cycling33:22 — Interview with Tyler Benner: The Creator of the First Foot-Shaped Cycling Shoe56:10 — Listener Question: What Kind of Pillow Should You Sleep On? Sponsored by My Happy FeetBooks, Links and Resources:Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman Move Your DNA by Katy BowmanMy Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes Strong Feet Athletics: the first foot-shaped cycling shoeAnya's Review of Strong Feet Athletics Leviathan cycling shoeConnect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAEarth Runners:  makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingMovemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits  October Retreats 2026 

One Step at a Time: Movement Mantras for Better Walks

What if one simple cue could change the way you walk? In this episode, Katy introduces movement mantras—easy-to-remember prompts that help you improve your gait one step at a time. Learn how small changes to posture, arm swing, push-off, foot placement, and even the routes you choose can make walking feel stronger, smoother, and more comfortable.Plus, Katy and Jeannette talk with the team behind Freet Barefoot about walking culture, healthy footwear, and hiking in all kinds of terrain, before answering a listener question on vibration plates and lymphatic drainage.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript0:00 — Intro & encouraging kids to walk7:15 — Dynamic Collective Sponsors14:20 — The “Mental Ten” for better walking15:00 — Movement mantras for posture, arm swing and push-off18:15 —Vary your route, vary your carry21:25 — Freet Barefoot and walking culture23:00 — The story behind Freet Barefoot 31:05 — Multi-day walks, footwear and foot strength 37:50 — Walking culture and ‘Rights to Roam’ in the UK 43:05 — Favourite Freet Barefoot customer testimonials 47:40 — Do Vibration Plates Help Lymph Drainage? (sponsored by ScreenFit™).Books, Links and Resources:More about Freet BarefootA stepwise course to Walking Well with Katy Bowman & Jill MillerConnect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:Earth Runners:  makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingMovemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAThoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits  October Retreats 2026 

Too Much Sitting, "Spiky" Cholesterol, and Heart Disease

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack emerging research on heart disease, inflammation, cholesterol, and arterial plaque. Inspired by a recent Scientific American article, they explore what plaque is, how and why it forms, and how blood flow patterns influence where plaque accumulates in the arteries. They discuss recent evidence that places inflammation as a foundational piece of heart disease and how the ‘spiky’ shape and structure of cholesterol in plaque has a direct role in the inflammatory pathways and immune system overreactions that occur in heart disease. Katy and Jeannette offer practical insights into how regular activity, varied positioning, and lifestyle choices can help support healthy arteries. They also discuss the importance of scientific curiosity, prevention over treatment, and why understanding the body's processes can inspire better self-care.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript0:00 — Introduction:  the Scientific American article on heart inflammation3:43 — Dynamic Collective9.15 — Main takeaway: inflammation, cholesterol and heart disease9:47 — What is plaque? 15:33 — Why plaque forms in specific locations within arteries: wounding and blood flow 23:12 — How cholesterol enters arterial walls  40:00 — Why understanding the body can deepen appreciation and motivation for self-care44:16 — Listener question: sciatic pain (sponsored by Venn Design).Books, Links and Resources:Science and Poetry by Mary Midgely Connect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingMy Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAEarth Runners:  makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTFreet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits  October Retreats 2026