Part 1 of a 2 part podcast with Dr Martyn ShortenIt is not often one gets the opportunity to chat with someone who has worked with Nike Founder Phil Knight AND the legendary Nike innovator Bill Bowerman. Or for that matter with Mark Parker and Tom Clarke, both of whom started in the Nike Sports Research Laboratory and rose through the ranks to become CEO’s of the entire shebang!
My guest today on Shoephoria episode 6 is considered one of the true legends of the world of footwear and footwear biomechanics and with a career spanning 42 years, there is not a lot he has not seen or done.
Dr. Martyn Shorten
He joined Nike the year after a young college basketballer named Michael Jordan was snapped up as an endorsed athlete by the company, a relatively new concept at the time. It is fair to say this turned out to be an Ok investment for Nike!
Martyn sharpened his teeth on the very first of the visible air shoes, natural successors to the very first Nike Air running shoe, the Tailwind.
After a very successful stint at Nike, eventually as director of the Sport Research Laboratory, Martyn moved to the global body of Puma, to take on the role as Director of Research, Design and Product Development.
Martyn is not short of an opinion, however that opinion is invariably followed by hard evidence to back it up.
He is scathing of some of the trends that have, and continue to drive the athletic footwear industry, not the least the concept of overpronation, motion control in footwear and analysis of footwear by heel angle.
This is a fascinating and at time challenging interview, one of the best, and not to be missed.
Such is Martyn’s knowledge, and the depth of his experience, that this is part 1 of a 2 part Shoephoria podcast. Enjoy!
Thanks you for listening to SHOEphoria Podcast and we hope you will find the time to leave a little review.
