Katja

Barefoot Shoe Expert | Co-founder of Barefoot Universe

Katja helps people find shoes that support their body — not just their style. Since 2016, she’s been living the barefoot lifestyle and has personally tested hundreds of shoes on herself. That hands-on experience gives her a deep, real-world understanding of fit, function, and natural movement. Her journey from poor posture and chronic pain to strong, aligned movement fuels her passion for helping others. By personally testing what works (and what doesn’t), she’s able to offer grounded, practical guidance through blog posts, reviews, online courses, and one-on-one support — empowering thousands to walk freely, feel better, and reconnect with their feet — and themselves.

KATJA’S STORY

I wanted to fix my belly. But I had to start with my feet.

When my first child was born, I was left with a weak core, a painful upper back, and a belly that no longer felt like it belonged to me.

My posture was collapsing under the weight of motherhood, literally — and I was desperate to feel strong again.

I started looking for ways to heal my diastasis recti, not knowing that this journey would take me far beyond my core. It led me to my feet.

At the time, I had no clue that the way I stood and walked could affect my entire body. I wore tight winter boots, high heels for special occasions, and everyday shoes that looked fine but squeezed my feet in all the wrong places. Like many women, I believed fashion and foot health were opposites — and I paid the price with pain, poor alignment, and long-standing hip issues I’d had since school.

What changed everything was a footnote — literally.

I came across the MuTu System, a postpartum program that mentioned how your shoes can affect your pelvic floor. That small insight shifted my perspective. I bought my first pair of barefoot shoes without knowing a thing about foot shape, sole flexibility, or sizing. I just ordered my usual size and hoped for the best.

And something clicked.

From curiosity to obsession

As soon as I started wearing barefoot shoes, my toes began to spread. I noticed gaps between them that had never existed.
My feet looked different — and felt different too. I was hooked.

I started reading everything I could, joining Facebook groups, comparing brands, measuring widths, testing shapes, and buying and testing almost every barefoot brand that existed at the time.

I made mistakes, ordered wrong pairs, and walked miles in different barefoot shoes to understand what worked and what didn’t.

Slowly but surely, I built up not just a closet full of barefoot shoes — but a deep, lived understanding of what makes a shoe truly fit.

The more I learned about feet, the more I realized how everything in the body is connected.
My poor posture, uneven shoulders, cracked heels, hip pain — they were all part of the same story.
And changing my shoes was just the first chapter in rewriting it.

I learned to support my body from the ground up.

I strengthened my core.
I evened out my gait.
I moved differently.
I breathed differently.

Barefoot shoes opened the door, but the real transformation began when I started rebuilding how my whole body moves.

I studied natural movement, worked with experts, and even explored how breathing patterns affect alignment. It turned out my left foot wasn’t just a foot issue — it was a sign that something deeper was off.

Years of carrying kids on one side, sitting too much, and daily habits had taken their toll.
Barefoot shoes helped, but they weren’t the whole solution.

What you see now is the result of years of steady work — and I’m still on the path.
Caring for your body is lifelong work, and I’m walking it one step at a time.

Why I do this?

I have a PhD in civil engineering — but today, my passion lies in building stronger, more functional human bodies, starting from the foundation: the feet.
My analytical mind and research background helped me dive deep into the world of barefoot shoes.
But it’s my personal experience — the pain, the questions, the hours spent trying, testing, and learning — that truly shaped me into the educator I am today.

I started this blog with Tjaša because we wanted to share what we wish we had known in the beginning.
No one should have to go through years of confusion, trial and error, and discomfort just to find a shoe that fits and supports their body.

Now, I help others discover the right shoes for their feet — and understand how much power there is in setting your toes free.

Fun Facts About ME

  • I’m an early bird who doesn’t drink coffee — not even a little.
  • I love learning random new skills — like cutting hair and somehow along the way I picked up truck, tractor, and boat driving licenses!
  • I adore the smell of freshly washed laundry — but can’t stand strong artificial fragrances.
  • I always air-dry my towels because I love them rough and textured — soft towels from a dryer just aren’t the same.
  • One day, I dream of having my own backyard chickens.
  • I never learned how to roller skate — I simply feel more grounded when my feet are directly on solid ground.
  • I secretly enjoy watching Dr. Pimple Popper (it’s weirdly satisfying!).
  • I’m endlessly curious — always learning, exploring, and finding new ways to support healthier movement.
  • I’m naturally organized and detail-oriented, which helps when testing, reviewing, and keeping track of hundreds of barefoot shoes.

If you’re new here…

I’d love to help you get started.
Start with our Foot Width Quiz, browse our honest barefoot shoe reviews, and don’t miss the transition tips if you’re just beginning.
Or follow my journey in real time on Instagram, where I share favorite picks, foot exercises, and behind-the-scenes testing.

Read more about how Barefoot Universe began