Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Dr. Ray McClanahan, Podiatrist and Inventor of Correct Toes
Dr. Ray McClanahan, DPM has been a podiatrist for more than 25 years and believes that most foot problems can be corrected by restoring natural foot function. His practice, Northwest Foot & Ankle in Portland, Oregon, allows him to care for those who find their highest joy when in motion.His professional goal is to provide quality natural foot health services with an emphasis on sports medicine, preventative and conservative options as well as education on proper footwear.
Dr. McClanahan is an active runner and athlete. In 1999, he finished 14th in the U.S. National Men’s Cross-Country Championships and had a near Olympic Trials qualifying 5,000 meter mark of 13:56 in 2000. He then qualified for the World Duathlon Championships in 2001.
He is also the inventor of Correct Toes, silicone toe spacers that help the foot rehabilitate from the negative effects of conventionally shaped footwear. The device, made of soft, flexible silicone, encourages the toes back into their natural alignment found at birth. With progressive and consistent use while active and weight bearing, toes align and feet strengthen, restoring their original position and function.
Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations, passions and philosophy on health and wellness.
I provide natural foot health care to athletes. I chose this career path due to my own body dysfunction and injury that I endured while running professionally. I am inspired and mentored by the late Dr. William Rossi, who taught me about natural foot health.
My greatest passion is to help an athlete to get well quickly and cost effectively, while pursuing natural foot health principles. My philosophy is one of prevention. I teach people the reasons why they end up in my office, and we educate them to make the appropriate changes that are required for true healing.
We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?
Movement is a necessary part of healthy living. Motion is lotion for our body and mind. I basically move all day. I work on my foot strength and agility using various balls, while I stand on a proprioceptive mat at my work station.
I sit on my Venn Air Chair. I usually do some form of strength training like pushups, pull ups or climbing the trees in my yard. I ride my bike, rollerblade or run nearly every day. I do some light stretching of my feet and hips.
Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?
I sit on my Venn Air Chair when I am relaxing. I also lay on it on my back, and lower my arms and feet to the floor for an awesome whole body backwards stretch. We have Venn chairs in our clinic in our shoe fitting area. I have my daughters sitting on Venn chairs when they are sitting. We practice balancing and standing on our Venn chairs as well.
“Whereas much of the world is interested in human made technology, I am interested in the technology of nature, as that is where I observe true brilliance. I go barefoot a lot and encourage others to do so as well, including at work. ”
At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally- than others?
I am a “zigger” too. Whereas much of the world is interested in human made technology, I am interested in the technology of nature, as that is where I observe true brilliance. I go barefoot a lot and encourage others to do so as well, including at work. I grow my own food in my garden, and source my own meat and fish from the woods, rivers and oceans. I try to not buy my food from a store.
My medical training is to take pain away without addressing the causes of the pain, but I want to know why people get pain to begin with. I hate debt, am not motivated by creating wealth, and consider my greatest joy in helping other human beings to move and live well. I am learning the value of letting go of the worry of being different and wondering what people think of my life and approach to sports medicine.
Follow Dr. McClanahan’s work at the below links and follow Correct Toes on Instagram @correcttoes.
https://www.correcttoes.com/foot-help/video-library/dr-ray-mcclanahan/