Month: November 2025

I’ve always believed the human body is a masterpiece of engineering — the kind of design that would make any Formula 1 team envious. Yet for decades, most of us have been sabotaging one of its most brilliant components: our feet. We’ve wrapped them in layers of padding and support until they’ve forgotten how to do their job. We’ve essentially turned them into spoiled passengers instead of the powerful, adaptive shock absorbers nature intended them to be.

That all changed for me years ago when I was introduced to Vivo Barefoot — a UK brand that’s been leading the charge in the barefoot movement for years. There are many great barefoot shoe brands out there, but Vivo was my first step (literally) into this world. Their philosophy is simple: reconnect your feet with the ground and, in turn, reconnect with yourself.

I’ve worn Vivo’s for just about everything — hiking trails, airport marathons, and more recently, on coastal adventures wearing their swim-run version, which lets me dive straight into the sea and scramble over rocks like a well-meaning amphibian with questionable balance. They’ve genuinely changed the way I move.

The Anatomy Lesson You Never Got at School

Your foot isn’t just a block of meat at the end of your leg — it’s a biomechanical marvel with 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. And all of them are designed to move.

When you start going barefoot (or close to it), those systems finally wake up again. The toes spread. The arches lift. The stabilising muscles begin firing like they were meant to. Over time, your feet become stronger, more stable, and more responsive. And that doesn’t just improve your balance — it influences everything up the chain: knees, hips, even your posture.

Running Rewired

Barefoot running changes your mechanics completely. Instead of crashing down on your heel — as most cushioned shoes encourage — you start landing softly on your mid- or forefoot. This reduces impact and allows your body to use its natural springs: muscles and tendons instead of bones and joints.

Your stride shortens, your cadence increases, and your running starts to feel more natural. Every step becomes a conversation between your foot and the earth. There’s something primal, grounding, and oddly meditative about it.

The Diamond Calf Warning

Now for the honest bit: don’t throw on a pair of barefoot shoes and head out for a 10K. You’ll regret it. Your calves will turn as hard as diamonds for a week, and you’ll curse me every time you try to walk down stairs.

Transition slowly. Start with walking, then short runs — five to ten minutes max — and build gradually. Think of it as strength training for your feet. Your body will thank you for the patience.

Why It Matters

Barefoot running isn’t just about fitness; it’s about reconnecting with your own design. We were built to move like this. For me, it’s become a small act of rebellion against modern comfort — and a reminder of how good simplicity feels. There’s something special about feeling the ground beneath you, whether it’s sand, trail, or tarmac.

So if you see someone jogging along the Monaco coastline in shoes that look like they’ve escaped from a science experiment, that’s probably me — smiling, grounded, and enjoying every step.

For anyone curious, start slow, listen to your body — and maybe keep a foam roller handy for those diamond calves.

See also: 

Why you’ll never “get everything done” (and why that’s the point)

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Monaco’s AMADE (Association Mondiale des Amis de l’Enfance), one of the Principality’s most respected humanitarian organisations, has published its 2024 bilan report, revealing an impactful year that delivered support to over 354,000 children globally. With operations spanning Africa, Europe, and Asia, AMADE remains a leading force in child protection, education, health, and empowerment.

In a message introducing the report, Secretary General Jérôme Froissart said the year was marked by both innovation and consolidation. “In an increasingly complex international context, AMADE continued to invest in rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and close partner support,” he wrote. “This demand for quality allows us to position ourselves as a trusted intermediary between local partners and our donors”.

In total, €831,632 in direct funds were deployed across 23 projects in 2024, backed by a broader €2 million commitment. Partner organisations mobilised nearly €4.8 million more for these shared efforts.

Five core programmes, one shared mission

AMADE’s work in 2024 focused on five strategic programmes: Un Enfant, Un Talent (child development through art, sport and mentorship), Un État Civil pour Tous (access to civil registration), Dignité pour les Femmes (support for vulnerable girls and menstrual health), L’Énergie de l’Espoir (renewable energy for education), and assistance for unaccompanied migrant minors.

The charity also stepped up its work in emergency response and post-crisis recovery, with €138,060 dedicated to these areas last year.

Local partnerships, lasting impact

AMADE’s approach is rooted in partnership. Rather than implementing projects directly, it supports NGOs and social entrepreneurs on the ground. “We prioritise the empowerment of those with proven expertise and strong local leadership,” the organisation stated in its report.

One such partnership is with the FVS-Amie des Enfants in Burundi, which enabled Floride Ikizakubuntu, once forced to abandon school, to pursue a dream of becoming a doctor. “Today, I am no longer a forgotten girl, but a future paediatrician, standing tall, confident, ready to serve,” she said.

In Senegal, the Yéré network, supported by AMADE and implemented by Le Partenariat, has empowered women entrepreneurs like Coumba Diop to deliver solar lighting and digital education to remote rural communities. “Each day, I see the impact of our actions on children and women—and it drives me to do more,” she shared.

Financial transparency and trust

AMADE’s commitment to transparency is underscored by double financial oversight—both by an external auditor and Monaco’s public financial watchdog. Thanks to government subsidies covering operational costs, 100% of donor contributions go directly to project implementation.

The charity’s income in 2024 totalled €1.29 million, with nearly half coming from public generosity. A further 15% came from state subsidies, while previously earmarked funds were responsibly used to supplement budgets for ongoing programmes.

Looking ahead to 2025

AMADE plans to expand its initiatives in 2025 with a renewed focus on civil registration, menstrual health in East and West Africa, and mentorship for at-risk youth in France. It will also continue bringing solar power to schools in remote regions of northern Senegal under its L’Énergie de l’Espoir initiative.

Now in its 61st year, AMADE remains one of Monaco’s most active and impactful international charities, channelling its resources into long-term, community-driven change for vulnerable children worldwide.

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