It wasn’t long ago that gut health was an issue nobody talked about: an unspoken affliction, left unexamined and untreated, and ultimately wreaking havoc on people’s health. Now though, thankfully, we all have a general understanding of how to keep on top of our gut health, and everywhere we look there are products promising to help. But what if we told you that there’s another unspoken health issue that’s impacting the health of everyone on a day to day basis? We spoke with the person who sees the impact of this silent enemy every day, and is determined to do something about it.

Have you ever walked behind a woman in heels with a stiletto angle that resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Every. single. step. You are grimacing with anticipation of her heel to slip out from beneath her. Don't judge, because chances are your heels are going in the same direction!

In the love story that every woman has with her shoes, the biggest villain is the sorry state of the heel itself. The wear and tear on that part of the shoe will not only make you wobble in the most un-sexy way, but it can lead to chronic pain or a twisted ankle. Ouch!

Your feet are one of your most important assets, yet their contribution to everyday function, livelihood and overall wellness is significantly under recognised. With the majority of foot injuries due to a combination of biomechanical dysfunction, poor foot support, ill-fitting footwear and training errors, raising your foot health IQ and spending a little time and monetary investment on your feet can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of foot pain.

In reality, stylistic license usually trumps fit and function, making it difficult to find a staple piece that ticks all the boxes. Knowing your feet (actual size and width), heel height boundaries and trouble spots (boney prominences and commonly rubbed areas) can make ruling shoes in or out a far less painful task for your feet and your purse.

So, you’ve spent the last few months rocking your Uggs, trainers and giving your feet some barefoot freedom. And now you’re dreading the thought of putting your feet back into work (or party) appropriate footwear – and rightly so! Podiatrists often renounce the use of the high heel, however completely cutting out a wardrobe staple is no longer necessary, we just need to be smart about it!