Gait Speed as a Vital Sign

This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, LMNT, and Branch Basics.

One of the strongest predictors of how long you’ll live has nothing to do with your labs or your workouts—but how you move every day. 

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with renowned foot and gait specialist Dr. Courtney Conley to unpack why walking may be one of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of health and longevity. Dr. Conley breaks down the science of walking as medicine and explains why foot health plays a far bigger role than most people realize. They dive into gait speed as a key indicator of longevity and challenge the idea that pain means you should stop moving. She also shares practical ways to improve how you walk, rethink your footwear, and recognize early signs that your body isn’t getting what it needs.

Dr. Courtney Conley is a leading foot and gait specialist and founder of Gait Happens, focused on helping people restore foot function and move without pain. She runs Total Health Solutions and Total Health Performance in Colorado, where she specializes in improving gait mechanics and resolving foot issues. She’s also a founding member of the Healthy Foot Alliance, promoting natural footwear and stronger foot foundations. She is the coauthor of the book WALK: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity—One Step at a Time.

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Conley dive into:

(0:00) Intro

(0:32) Why Walking Matters

(2:04) The Prescription We All Need 

(4:08) The Surprising Link to Dementia Risk

(6:43) Preventing Chronic Disease

(8:49) Key Benefits of Walking

(11:06) Big Toe & Longevity

(18:04) Why Foot Pain Is So Common

(22:23) Walking Speed & Strength

(26:09) Lifestyle Impact of Walking

(29:56) Why You’re Walking Less Than You Think

(35:44) Simple Ways to Move More

(52:12) The Footwear Problem

(1:07:12) How to Walk Smarter 

(1:14:45) Pain & Movement Myth

(1:22:21) Your Body’s Early Red Flags

(1:24:50) Small Changes, Big Impact

(1:29:22) Final Takeaways

Also mentioned in this episode:

• Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity―One Step at a Time

For more on Dr. Conley, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or her  Websites: Gait Happens and Dr. Courtney Conley.

This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, LMNT, and Branch Basics.

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