This week we chat to Kristy, Paul & the Barefoot Bros, Bede & Cove. We chat all things adventure and the journey to following what you LOVE. Together they own @thebarefootpodiatrist where Paul shares his passion and unique views on feet. He is an advocate for wholistic barefoot strength and connection to earth. He ensures kids develop motor control, strength and balance from the ground up as naturally as possible, which they credit to their kids thriving in boards sports (and trusting their bodies). 

Tell us about you and your adventures of late...

Bede is 8 and is mad on all things ocean-life, birds, nature, snowboarding, surfing and skating! He could start a museum with his treasures of feathers, shells, shark artefacts and crystals - he’s a collector! He also swears his spirit food are Taco’s! 

Cove is 4 and is life! He is the family comedian and clown, rips down the mountain on a snowboard by himself, skates, enjoys ‘reading’ Where’s Wally books before bed and has taught our chickens how to backflip and 360. He’s a loose canon!”

For the last two years they have mostly been free, outdoors and on the water - whether that be running or frozen! We don’t see ‘adventure’ as something that has to cost a lot of money, or something you have to travel far to do! It’s also not something you arrive at - adventure can happen anywhere along the way! This has created a great mindset in the kids, and they find adventure and fun in most things!

We live on a beautiful part of the coast and are very lucky to be able to access a plethora of amazing places! The kids I’m sure have grown gills this summer, because they’ve spent majority of their time in the water snorkelling (with dolphins, rays, octopus and beautiful fish), and swimming and surfing for hours on end! We tend to take the road less travelled and are rewarded with amazing white sandy beaches, no crowds and troves of treasure on the shoreline! Bede found a shark tooth just the other day amongst some broken shells! That was pretty amazing!

We have some great hiking trails throughout the escarpment, and will often find the time to ground and explore those! The kids also love mountain biking.

Life certainly throws some twists and turns so we just got ourselves a little caravan and are looking forward to switching things up and living out of it for a bit this year

How do you balance Mum life with so much adventure? 

We have recently had some great adventures - sun filled days spent snorkelling and exploring marine wildlife parks...and we also have a full washing basket, sink full of dishes and a home (and car!) that resembles a sand pit!...Balance haha.

I personally found power and stability in realising that being a Mum didn’t mean abandoning myself, but embracing the best parts of me and sharing them with my family. For both Paul and I, travelling, being by the beach, snowboarding, exploring, hiking trails and grounding has always been a priority, form of exercise and meditation for us, and now, it has become a way to bond as a family. We do all of those things together, and it has been a way to introduce the boys to the importance of caring for our earth and their own physical health and wellbeing. It took a while, but I now understand that I have to maintain those parts of me that make me feel alive and recharged. It makes me a better person and a better mother.

What inspires you?