From the Ground Up: A Conversation with Steve Sashen of Xero Shoes
- grovehiggins
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
By Dr. Grove Higgins | Neuroathlete Clinic Blog
At the 2025 Barefoot Expo in Denver, I had the pleasure of sitting down with an old friend—and barefoot pioneer—Steve Sashen, founder of Xero Shoes. It had been years since we last connected, but picking up where we left off was easy. After all, we both share the same mission: helping people move better, feel better, and live pain-free, naturally.
A 16-Year Journey in Footwear Innovation
Steve started Xero Shoes with a simple idea: that footwear should allow your feet to move the way they were designed to. Fast forward 16 years, and Xero Shoes is now on NBA and WNBA courts with the first-ever barefoot-friendly basketball shoe. That’s right—barefoot shoes, in professional basketball.
“Isaiah Stewart, power forward for the Pistons, told us he played 72 games this season—more than ever before—and credits the shoe for helping him jump higher, move better, and feel stronger,” Steve shared.
That kind of feedback would’ve sounded impossible a decade ago. But the science and real-world results keep pouring in: stronger feet lead to fewer injuries, better movement, and greater performance.
THANKS!
Barefoot in the Clinic and on the Trail
I’ve been wearing Xero Shoes for years now—on Colorado’s mountain trails and in my clinic. Some of my sandals have over 800 miles on them and are still going strong. What I love most is what I see in my patients: once they start moving better from the ground up, everything improves.
Most people train everything from the ankles up, but ignore what’s underneath. That’s the part doing the heavy lifting every single day.
The Cast You Didn’t Know You Were Wearing
Steve put it best:
“People say our shoes are life-changing because for the first time, maybe ever, they’re letting their body work the way it was designed to.”
Traditional footwear, with its narrow toe boxes, elevated heels, and stiff soles, throws your posture and movement off track. It leads to compensation patterns that can cause chronic pain in the knees, hips, or back.
By contrast, minimalist footwear encourages natural alignment and movement, helping to strengthen the feet and improve performance.
From Casual to Court-Ready: What’s New at Xero
I asked Steve what I should replace my old Alstons with. His answer?
“Whatever fits your style. Every pair is designed to give you that same natural feel.”
From hiking to gym training, casual wear to pro sports, the Xero line has expanded to meet nearly every lifestyle need, because people kept asking for more.
And yes, they now make basketball shoes. (Seriously, go look them up.)
Final Thoughts: Let Your Body Do What It Was Made to Do
Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend hiker, or someone who just wants to stop hurting at the end of the day, it might be time to rethink your shoes.
At Neuroathlete, we take a ground-up approach to performance and pain recovery. And we’re proud to recommend gear that supports that philosophy.
If you haven’t tried Xero Shoes yet, stop by our clinic or check them out online. Your feet—and the rest of your body—will thank you.
Ready to get back in touch with how your body was made to move?Schedule a visit at neuroathletechiro.com or stop by and talk to us about minimalist footwear options.
Comments