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About Barefoot Running University

Founded in December 2009 by me, barefoot ultramarathon runner Jason Robillard, the Barefoot Running University is dedicated to educating runners about barefoot and minimalist shoe running form and technique. 

Jason applies the latest research, techniques, best known practices, a warm, caring attitude, and silly humor to help you achieve the highest level of performance possible.  Whether you are a novice runner, a high school athlete, a seasoned ultrarunner, or an Olympic champion, Jason can help you safely and effectively learn the art and science of barefoot and minimalist shoe running.

Jason's philosophy is simple.  He strives to teach you the skills you need to learn barefoot and minimalist shoe running.  The best barefoot running coach is your own body.  As such, Jason's goal is to give you basic instruction that will allow you to discover the form and technique that best suits your particular body type, gait style, and running goals.

It should be noted- we're not really a university. The name "Barefoot Running University" derived from an inside joke.  A good friend of Jason's often refers to him as "Professor" because he is a high school teacher.  When he learned of the plans to begin holding clinics, he referred to the business as the barefoot running university.  The name stuck.

Barefoot Running University is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Barefoot Running University

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."
-Confucius

This quote sums up the Barefoot Running University's philosophy of teaching barefoot and minimalist shoe running. We will teach you read your own body to discover your own best form. We will not insist on selling you expensive books, videos, or countless coaching sessions. Based on our experiences, about half of all barefoot runners learn correct form simply by taking off their shoes, being patient, and listening to their body. The other half need some direction. Our goal is to provide that direction by:

• Sharing and directing you towards information available online (see the websites, research, articles, and videos under the "Research" menu above)

• Providing The Barefoot Running Book (see "Books" section),

• Conducting clinics (see "Clinics" section), and

• Providing coaching in individual and small group settings (see "Coaching" section).

We suggest all new barefoot and minimalist shoe runners approach learning using that progression.

Our Guiding Principles

The following principles guide our teaching. The principles are taken from Jason's "The Barefoot Running Book", which is available in the "Books" section of our site.

Principle One- There is no single right answer. Barefoot running is inherently a very individualistic activity. Each of us will develop our own style and form. There is no single “correct” way to run barefoot. Our job as a teachers of barefoot running is to help you find your own style.

Principle Two- You must experiment and learn from your successes and failures. George Sheehan famously said, “Each of us is an experiment of one-observer and subject-making choices, living with them, recording the effects.” In order to master the art of running barefoot, you must be willing to try new things. You must be able to adopt the successes and discard the failures.

Principle Three- Your body is your best teacher. When following principle two, your best feedback will be your own body. Your brain has the amazing ability to receive feedback from your body, interpret that information, and adjust accordingly. Our own thought process often creates a roadblock for this process. We must learn to trust our own body.

Principle Four- Patience is mandatory. Learning to run barefoot takes time. Allowing your body to adapt to this new running style takes time. All too often we want to rush the process. This results in injury. We must be willing to start from nothing and rebuild ourselves.

Principle Five- Relaxation is the secret to great form. Barefoot running requires relaxation of the skeletal muscles. Running free and easy is the secret to running injury-free.

Principle Six- You must enjoy the process. Learning to run barefoot should be a process, not a destination. If you take the time to enjoy each stage of your development as a barefoot runner, you will be successful. This is a fun activity! Watch little children run around barefoot. Embrace that joy! Smile and savor the process!

About Jason

Jason Robillard is a leading expert on barefoot running education for novice and experienced runners.  Jason is the author of “The Barefoot Running Book”, runs the Barefoot Running University instruction website which includes a vast collection of barefoot running and ultramarathon information, and writes for the popular Barefoot Chronicles blog.  Jason is also a founding member of the Barefoot Runners Society, a national non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the acceptance of barefoot running.  Jason has written articles for Ultrarunning Magazine, Birthdayshoes.com, appeared on the “Living Barefoot” show, and has been interviewed for the San Francisco Chronicle, Grand Rapids Press, Muskegon Chronicle, Holland Sentinel, and several other leading newspapers.   Jason utilizes over a decade of experience as a professional educator, a Master’s Degree in education, and his experiences as a barefoot ultramarathon runner to lead dynamic, hands-on barefoot running workshops and clinics.  Recently, Jason has collaborated with many experts in this field, from fellow runners, to researchers, to medical professionals to help advance the art and science of barefoot running.

Here are a few more details:

Barefoot running experience:

• Recreational barefoot runner since 1992

• Began serious barefoot running in 2005

• Have run races at the 5k, 10k, 15k, half-marathon, 25k, marathon, 50 mile, and 100 mile distances

• Training that peaks around 100 miles per week

Teaching and coaching experience:

• Certified professional educator since 1999 (psychology)

• Experience coaching runners, football, wrestling, and bowling

Memberships:

• Co-founder of the Barefoot Runners Society

• Founder of the Michigan Chapter of the Barefoot Runners Society

• Member of the Society for Barefoot Living

Education:

• B.S.- Secondary education, psychology, history- Northern Michigan University (1999)

• M.A. - Educational technology- Grand Valley State University (2006)