About Us
The research history, lead researcher, and advisory network behind the Barefoot Science and Biopods technology lineage.
The research underlying Biopods technologies has spanned more than 44 years. Over that time, numerous medical professionals and sports training experts provided the lead researcher with advice, reviewed and critiqued the scientific concepts, personally tested product iterations, and where appropriate applied the products clinically with their patients and athletes.
Lead researcher and founder
From his teens and through his mid-thirties, Roy was a competitive athlete who experienced a host of injuries, including broken bones, sprains, and muscle tears. Many of these injuries required some form of casting or splinting, followed by rehabilitation. In the early 1980s, he was prescribed orthotics to deal with collapsed arches caused by years of 100+ days per winter in overly tight ski boots. Having spent many months in casts and splints, Roy intuitively knew that the orthotics would have the same weakening effect on his feet. Instead, he sought to look beyond the boundaries of conventional supportive and cushioning treatment methods to find a way to rehabilitate his collapsed arches.
Coincidentally, at this time, Roy saw a documentary about a man in his early 30s who had lost both arms in a farm accident when he was a child. In the video, the man used his feet the way most of us use our hands as he went about his daily activities — he could use a fork and knife, wash the dishes, and drive his tractor. Roy contemplated that if the man could train his feet to accomplish these tasks, there must have been a way to retrain his own collapsed arches. After considerable effort, however, he was unable to find any credible research in this area.
As a result, Roy began his own research and, over the past 44 years, has had the good fortune of collaborating with or receiving input from some of the world’s leading experts in sports medicine, orthopaedics, sports training, chiropractic, and podiatry. Roy’s work has led to the development of a new and widely acclaimed understanding of optimal gait mechanics and the critical role that the foot plays in lower limb neuromuscular function. This new understanding has been integrated into rehabilitation and sports training programs, and insole products that are used globally by world-class and professional athletes, trainers, and healthcare professionals.
Orthopaedic specialists
Roy gratefully acknowledges the following for their input and support.
Peter Fowler, MD FRCS(C) (1938–2022)
Former Medical Director of Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, University of Western Ontario; former President of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sport Medicine; former President of the International Society of Arthroscopy and Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). In 1992, Dr. Fowler received the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award; in 1994, he was recognised in Best Doctors in America; in 1998, he received the Canadian Orthopaedic Association Award of Excellence. He headed Canadian medical teams at numerous Commonwealth and Olympic Games and was appointed to The Order of Canada in 2018.
Tom McClain, MD ABOS AAOS
An orthopaedic surgeon affiliated with Mercy Hospital Springfield, Missouri, whose practice emphasis is on Adult Reconstruction and Orthopaedic Trauma. Dr. McClain is one of the most respected orthopaedic surgeons in the US Midwest, with over 42 years of experience.
Georg Ahlbäumer, MD — Chief Physician, Klinik Gut St. Moritz
Trauma surgery and orthopaedics specialist; team surgeon AS Roma; past National Secretary of the International Society of Skiing Safety (ISSS).
Sports training experts and trauma specialists
Sam Dubé, MD, PhD — Professor Emeritus, Carleton University
A leading expert on strength biomechanics and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Dr. Dubé has advised national and world-class athletes in diverse sports including judo, freestyle wrestling, track and field, Olympic weightlifting, and strength athletics. He is a popular guest speaker and television colour analyst for the World’s Strongest Man Competitions.
Steven Hodges, MD, FACEP
Board-certified Emergency Medicine physician at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital; former Assistant Medical Director and former Clinical Instructor of Medicine, Northwestern University School of Medicine. A lifetime athlete who has competed in multiple iron-distance triathlons and marathons, including the Kona Ironman World Championships.
Tudor Bompa, PhD — Professor Emeritus, York University, Toronto
Regarded worldwide as the leading specialist in theory of training, coaching, and fitness. Dr. Bompa is a consultant to national sports organisations in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Romania, Turkey, and the USA Olympic Committee. In only eight years of international coaching, his athletes won 11 medals (4 gold) at Olympic Games and World Championships, and 22 national championship titles — the only coach to produce Olympic and World champions in two different sports: track and field and rowing. Professor Bompa received 22 honours and awards, 19 internationally.
Michael Yessis, PhD — Professor Emeritus, California State University, Fullerton
President of Sports Training, Inc., and a multi-sports specialist in biomechanics and sports conditioning. Author of 17 books and more than 2,500 articles on fitness and sports training. Considered one of the foremost experts in sports technique in the United States, and a clinical advisor for the American Running Association.
Chiropractors
Scott Bautch, DC, DACBOH, CCST, CCSP
A Chiropractic Occupational Health Specialist and Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board on Occupational Health. President of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health; past Chairman and CEO of Allied Health Chiropractic Centers, a Wisconsin-based chiropractic corporation comprising more than 50 individual clinics.
Bruce Comstock, DC
A sports-focused chiropractor with 36 years of experience in sports injury rehabilitation, and author of Weight-Training Safely, The F.I.T.S.-Way.
Larry Bell, BSc, MSc, DC, FRCCSS(C), FICC
Fellow of the Royal Chiropractic College of Sports Science (Canada) and Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors. Considered one of Canada’s foremost sports chiropractors, with experience at over 50 international events including 6 Olympic Games, 18 World Championships, and Commonwealth Games.
Timothy S. Wakefield DC, DACBSP, CPCO, CCST, CSCS
A distinguished Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, a retired Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma, and a Certified Professional Compliance Officer. Dr. Wakefield has dedicated his career to advancing the chiropractic profession, teaching numerous programs, and publishing extensively on clinical documentation, CPT coding, sports injuries, and physical fitness. Founder of the Ethos Business Academy.
Birger Baastrup, DC
His practice focuses on structural and neurological chiropractic techniques, helping patients identify the root cause of their symptoms rather than simply managing pain.
Additional healthcare professionals
Healthcare professionals who have personally and clinically used the first generation of foot strengthening products developed by Gardiner.
Stuart Gordon — Sports Therapist, Dip Phys Ed, ITEC, Anatomy Trains Fascial Release
Director of All About Balance. Over 30 years treating and rehabilitating professional athletes, Olympic and world champions, ballet dancers, musicians, and members of the general public.
Bronwyn Cooper, DPM — Clinical Director, Foot Strengthening Podiatrist
Rehabilitation and sports podiatrist with 41 years of clinical experience; clinical educator and consultant in clinical applications of footgear.
Neil Frame, MChS, DPodM — Podiatry Specialist (Biomechanics)
Sean Pena — VERTIMAX Master Trainer, Physiotherapy and Biomechanics Specialist
Mark Cucuzzella, MD, FAAFP — Professor, West Virginia University School of Medicine
WVU Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Health.
Jeff Stapleton, MSc Exercise Physiology — Nationally Certified Level III Coach
President, Team Over the Top.
Educational content only. This page is not a diagnosis, prescription, or substitute for care from a qualified clinician.