How This Female Foot Doctor Optimized Movement To Create Naboso

Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, is a Jane of All Trades. She somehow makes being a mother, a wife, a functional podiatrist, and a CEO look manageable and, frankly, quite glamorous. She attributes her successes to having a genuine passion for not only what she does but how she does it: by challenging conformity.

Dr. Splichal’s journey that led to the eventual creation of her tremendously successful company hasn’t been entirely fluid. However, her passion for mobility, helping people overcome everyday problems, and her solution-driven mindset eventually led to the launch of Naboso. This company has created products specially designed for optimizing movement. Their words, “The Naboso product line redefines what’s underneath your feet and how you connect to movement. From movement prep to foot recovery, it’s time to let your senses guide you.” Dr. Splichal believes that our experience in this world is built around sensory stimulation and our ability to effectively process, perceive, and integrate this information.

From Medicine To Movement 

Dr. Splichal’s background in medicine led to the creation of Naboso because she had expertise in the movement sector already. Since 2012, Dr. Splichal has traversed the world to share her unique approach to human movement, foot function, and barefoot science. Having taught in 35 countries and to 20,000 professionals, Dr. Splichal has quickly become a global leader in barefoot training and rehabilitation. “As a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist, I have a deep appreciation for the integrated function of the human foot on movement,” she explained. “A big part of the power of the foot is in the sensory stimulation of the plantar foot. Footwear, insoles, and surfaces we stand on all influence how we perceive our movement. Naboso is a product line I developed to help people reconnect to their feet again and find the sensory side of the movement.”  

Naboso’s Core Mission

Since movement and functionality are so pivotal to Dr. Splichal’s personal and professional endeavors, it comes as no surprise that Naboso’s mission aligns quite closely as well: it is to help people reconnect to the sensory side of their movement and how movement begins with feet first. “I hope to build an appreciation for the human foot and its complexity and power,” explained Dr. Splichal. “The more we take care of our feet, the better we move and feel. I call this movement longevity.”  

The Biggest Feet Issues Women Deal With, According To A Podiatrist 

It’s no secret that good foot health is imperative for healthy everyday life. After all, with 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons, your feet are incredibly complex. Dr. Splichal agrees that taking care of feet is one of the most critical health habits for either gender, but women may have some extra reason to be careful. “Women deal with many of the same issues as men, but a few of the biggest differences can be related to fashion footwear choices and our hormones,” she said. “Footwear such as ballet flats or heels can put excess pressure on the toes and feet. Hormones, especially estrogen, can change the integrity of our connective tissue and fascia.” 

The Most Challenging Aspects of Dr. Splichal’s Entreprenuerial Journey 

Being a strong female in a male-dominated field (medicine and business) is not without its challenges, explains Dr. Splichel. “If you are too bold and direct, you are classified as a b*tch, whereas a man would be called strong and a leader,” she said. “Also, women by nature are more emotional. While this doesn’t mean we are crying over everything, that emotion could be passion. I am extremely passionate about my company, mission, every product we develop, and our customers. That passion adds fuel to the fire and keeps me pushing up the hill they call entrepreneurship. And it’s hard. Really hard. But if lives are being positively impacted, I will not stop pushing forward.”

 The Future of Naboso 

Never sans a plan (nor the motivation and energy to execute), Dr. Splichel knows precisely what she wants to do to continue growing Naboso and optimizing movement around the world. “The first phase of our growth strategy is to grow and find a strategic partnership for our consumer-facing brand,” she said. “This will then allow us to transition and grow the medical division of Naboso Technology. My goal is to complete research in the area of texture science and movement disorders so that we can one day get FDA approval and be reimbursed by medical insurance.”