The Step

Weston Kay, founder of Rose Anvil, built a business around cutting apart boots and shoes to reveal what’s really inside. From dissecting countless pairs of footwear to building a following through long-form YouTube videos, Weston shares how his passion for high-quality craftsmanship and a pragmatic approach to footwear helped him find his niche. In this episode, he joins Dr. Ariel Palanca to explo...

In this episode of The Step, Dr. Ariel Palanca sits down with Dr. Simpson, an orthopedic foot & ankle surgeon from Colorado Springs, CO. From being a team physician, managing patientexpectations, mentorship in the foot & ankle community, and so much more – Dr. Simpson offers an inside look to what has shaped his career and where it is headed. #TheStep #FootAndAnkle #OrthopedicSurgery #Foot...

Two years ago, a train accident changed everything. Staying fully conscious, Lisa pulled herself from the train tracks and began a journey through the hospital, recovery, and life after losing her leg. In this episode, she opens up to Dr. Ariel Palanca about the accident, the challenges that followed, and how shifting her perspective helped her find hope and purpose. As she puts it, “There’s way m...

Former Miss Kansas, Adrienne Bulinski, sharesher story of a tragic accident where she was bucked off a horse. After suffering an open ankle fracture dislocation and being told she was a “textbook case for an amputation,” Bulinski talks through her post-accident life with Dr. Ariel Palanca. From mental health struggles to Total Ankle Replacements,Adrienne Bulinski candidly shares her experience aft...

Whether you’re an active poster or a social media skeptic, this conversation is for you. Dr. Pacaccio talks about how he uses social platforms for feedback and growth, the value of second opinions, and what he recommends not to do when you hit “share.”

Change is constant—and for this surgeon, it comes in seven-year cycles. In this episode, he opens up about his evolving philosophy, the milestones that have shaped his journey in foot and ankle surgery, and his vision for the future of the specialty.

An avid horseback rider walks us through her bilateral bunion experience—from the timing of each surgery to the milestones of her recovery. Listen in as she shares recovery hacks, lessons learned, and why she’s thrilled with her results both in and out of the saddle.

When Sarah Mossett was in a devastating car accident, doctors weren’t sure her leg could be saved. Facing compartment syndrome, external fixation, and nine surgeries, amputation seemed like the only option. But she refused to stop fighting — for her leg, for her recovery, and for her future. In this episode, Sarah shares her emotional journey of resilience, advocacy, and hope. Hear how she turned...

What happens when your surgeon has been in your shoes — as both a Division I athlete and a patient? In this episode, Dr. Creech shares her journey from recovering from lower extremity injuries, including a Jones fracture, to becoming a foot and ankle surgeon. She reflects on what it was like to fight her way back to the field and how those experiences influence her care philosophy today. Hear how...

What happens when a former college football player brings the team mindset into the OR? In this episode, we sit down with Thomas McDonald, MD, who shares why he treats every patient like an athlete — with a coach’s strategy, a team’s collaboration, and a game plan for recovery. Learn how surgeons, staff, and patients all play their part in achieving the win: getting back to movement.

Dr. Gross sits down with Dr. Palanca to talk candidly about how surgeons navigate innovation once they’re established in practice. He shares why he’s quick to adopt certain technologies, why others never made it past the trial phase, and the role AI might play in shaping the future of limb salvage. A conversation on balancing experience with curiosity—and knowing when to say yes to change.

Principal Ballerina of the Boston Ballet, Chyrstyn Fentroy, joins Dr. Ariel Palanca to share her journey growing up in a family of dancers and dedicating her life to the stage. Chyrstyn opens up about the fine line between normal aches and when pain signals something more serious, drawing from her own experiences with tendinitis and recovery of surgeries on both feet. She offers a candid look at l...