Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

To Hiking pole, or not to hiking pole, is the question that biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram address in this episode. The use of poles has become a hotly debated topic among hikers and Katy and Jeannette dive in to help explore the issue. They discuss how poles are used in fitness and hiking scenarios, as well as their potential advantages and disadvantages. They specifically...

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram discuss bunions; what they are, how they are created and what to do about them. Inspired by a recent article in National Geographic, they unpack the idea that bunions are a failure of evolution. Rather than being due to a poorly engineered toe, Katy and Jeannette show how bunions are actually created by forces of habit: restrictive footwear an...

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and Parent Coach Mary Van Geffen talk about “Movement As Regulation” for spicy kids. Independent, non-conformist, neurodivergent and sensitive kids can be particularly thrown off kilter by social and movement restrictions. Mary and Katy discuss the need for these kids to express their feelings in a physical way. They unpack different types of movement, focussing particular...

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram dig deeper into the concept of movement as nutrition in Katy’s new book “ My Perfect Movement Plan: The Move Your DNA All Day Workbook”. They discuss how the book will help you understand your current movement diet and show you how to create a more balanced movement diet going forward. They introduce tools from the book such as the S.L.O.T.H t...

Biologist Jeannette Loram and Biomechanist Katy Bowman discuss movement “as nutrition”. Using familiar dietary terms, Katy and Jeannette unpack the concept of movement macronutrients, micronutrients and calories. They discuss how simply getting enough physical activity, or "movement calories", does not guarantee you are nourishing your whole body;  we also need to consider the general shape you ta...

Clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill joins biomechanist Katy Bowman for an enlightening episode about the delicate balance between setting high expectations and practicing self-compassion, particularly in the realms of movement and mindfulness. Discover how recognizing the constant movements in our lives can lead to intentional responses and holistic well-being. From debunking misconceptions to ex...

Dr. Andrea Graves, an animal behavior expert, illuminates the profound significance of movement for animals and humans alike. Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, Katy and Andrea delve into the essential role of providing enriching environments for animals to express their natural behaviors authentically. From discussing innovative approaches like creating "chicken jungle gyms" to e...

On this episode of the Move Your DNA podcast, Katy and her special guest Dani Alexander reflect on the past year, discuss movement goals for 2024, and emphasize the importance of choosing a guiding word. They also explore personal experiences with living in walkable communities, navigating perimenopause, and general aging. Looking ahead, they share specific goals and strategies for incorporating m...

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and her occasional co-host, Dani Alexander (an occupational therapist), explore the importance of grip strength for people of all ages. They discuss therapeutic interventions, such as weighted pencils and play-dough, to improve hand strength and sensory input. They also touch on the impact of weak grip strength on daily tasks and emphasize the need to incorporate grip-stre...

Biomechanist, Katy Bowman and her husband Michael discuss foot injuries as a natural part of life. Sharing their own experiences, they emphasize the need for adjustments in movement patterns and highlight the importance of staying active as we age. They also address the psychological aspects of injury and provide strategies for avoiding future injuries. Overall, the message is to embrace change, p...

In this episode, Katy is talking about technology. Specifically where technology meets your head. No, not how technology affects mental health or how you think, but how it could be affecting the actual structure of your skull. Katy and her guests get into headphone dents, tech neck, and bone horns.  Episode Overview: 0:00:01 Welcome to the Move Your DNA podcast! 0:00:31 Tech and Mental Health: How...

Katy Bowman talks with Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett about their paths to becoming leaders in physical health to share their ideas on how to make movement more joyful and relevant to you, the mover. Not just in the distant future but here and now. October Retreats 2026 

Katy reveals another group of very important muscles that probably are not on your list of body parts which need movement - the muscles in your face. Just like any other parts of your body, when these muscles don’t get movement, it causes problems now and later in life. In this episode, Katy explains why this matters and gives you some fun exercises that you can do at home.  October Retreats 2026 

There is an old (and hopefully becoming obsolete) idea that getting your body “vacation ready” means you need to exercise ahead of time to get your body looking "fit" so you can enjoy your vacation. In this episode, Katy flips this idea on its head and invites you to take a different approach. An approach that involves getting your body “vacation ready” by making sure it is moving well enough to e...

It will surprise nobody that Katy spends a lot of time considering the mechanics of breathing movement—the way the levers and pulleys work throughout your breathing anatomy—to facilitate breath. But there are also other things to consider when it comes to breath and breathing. So, Katy invited her friend and author of the new book, Body by Breath , Jill Miller to talk about how the way we breathe...

In this episode, Katy explores the way all the “move more” messages we hear and read are framed and how they could be a lot more helpful and effective. It turns out that simply telling people to “exercise now to not die later” isn't working the way we might want it to.  October Retreats 2026 

In this episode, Katy and Dr. Barbara L Reiss are talking about Myopia (the medical term for nearsightedness), which is being able to see up close but not far away. This is important because your muscles are not only for moving, but they are also creating physiological states in the body - which includes your eyesight.  October Retreats 2026 

At the very beginning of this year, Katy wrote an article: Focus Your Movement Resolution. She did that because she thinks a lot of people gravitate toward resolutions at the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. So, let Katy share with you how to make those resolutions more focused - and therefore more helpful and effective. October Retreats 2026 

2022 is nearly over and we will soon be moving on to 2023! This means it is time for Katy to do her "annual" end-of-the-year health recap with special guest co-host Dani Hemmat. The two of them reflect together on what they did to MOVE toward a better version of themselves in 2022. And then, they look forward at their goals and plans for 2023. And don't be fooled, they go way deeper than which tra...

For the next few months, many of us will be gathering with friends and family, sitting cozied up around a fireplace or a TV. And while there is nothing wrong with getting cozy, we already spend a whole lotta time sitting around pretty much the rest of the entire year. So, in this episode, Katy shares tips from an article she wrote all about the ways we can create dynamic celebrations. Put on your...

In this episode, Katy is talking foot pain and minimal shoes with podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan. Dr. Ray attended Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine and completed a two-year podiatric, surgical residency training in Portland, Oregon, at Legacy Health Systems and Kaiser Permanente as a Podiatric Physician and Surgeon. We've got all these moving parts called feet--parts that need regular mov...

Kids are dynamic learning machines, but they have been placed in an ever-increasing sedentary educational environment. In this episode, Katy shares the small adjustments--to clothing, backpacks, and before and after school time---you can make that will help your kids get the movement they need. October Retreats 2026 

If you have been listening to and following Katy's work for a while now and want to share what you have learned with the ones you love, this is the podcast episode for you. Big picture of movement in a world made for the sedentary can be tricky stuff to distill and explain to others. So this episode is for those folks who may be asking you why you’re wearing funny shoes, or how come you like to st...

Since that first walk in 2017, Ken continues to balance a daytime desk job with his on-foot passion: experiencing, illuminating, and preserving the numerous Black Heritage Trails in the USA so others do not forget the many steps that have been taken. Support Johnston’s current Walk to Freedom project: gofundme.com/f/walk-to-freedom-new-york-to-canada Learn more about Ken Johnston and his walks at...

Katy and a special guest (her husband) outline some furniture-free lifestyle steps to transitioning your body to less supportive sleep surfaces and also how to get more sleeping movements without going mattress-free or pillow-free.  October Retreats 2026