Fleet Feet in Portland Changed My Half-Sized, Four-Toed Life

Life With a Little Foot

Growing up, my mom always told me God gave me a “little somethin’ somethin’ special”. Upon first meeting me, you may think she’s referring to my uninhibited demeanor and outrageous personality, but she was actually talking about my missing body parts.

I was supposed to be a twin but I require way too much attention (Rest in Paradise, sis) and I was the only one who made it out and with battle scars to prove the fight. Due to the WWE womb ring tumble, I am missing my right pointer finger and I stand loud and proud on a size 3 foot. My left foot is a “normal” size 8 ½ and my right foot is a whopping size 3 with no big toe.

I refer to the foot as my “Lil’ Foot” and although I crack daily jokes and love the little thing, it does cause some issues in my life and most of those are financial. Because of this, you’ll find me rocking shoes from Walmart on the daily because buying two different pairs of shoes is ridiculously expensive. A $70 pair of Nikes for someone with “normal” feet would be $140 for this asymmetrical gal.

This puts me in quite the conundrum because I’ve been told by doctors my whole life that I need the best, most supportive pairs of shoes. I’ve always been athletic but have never really pushed myself because I am terrified of hurting myself not being in the right equipment for my deformity and I can not afford the right equipment.

Regardless of all of this, I am an extremely stubborn, prideful, competitive and determined person. So prideful and determined that when asked recently if I wanted to do a Triathlon, I said “yes”. Completely forgetting I have a foot that’s so messed up doctors said I wouldn’t be able to walk, I confidently signed up for Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure where my little foot will be swimming, biking, and running; three things she probably shouldn’t be doing.

If I’m going to do this, I need to do it right and I need to do it safely. For this very reason, a personal trainer recommended I go talk to someone at Fleet Feet in Portland.

Fleet Feet in Portland, Maine

Hands down the best recommendation I have ever received in my 24 years on this Earth.

I made an appointment and had the pleasure of working with Joey who was extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout every step. He was patient as I complained about my Little Foot and boasted about the Triathlon, listening intently and acting like he genuinely cared.

He brought me through The Fleet Feet fit id™ outfitting process and took a 3D scan of my feet and stance. He had me walk across the store and through the 3D results and his observations, we went over every single possible variable that would affect what shoes I would need.

We went over every little detail, from ball width to arch height, instep height to ball girth, where I apply the most pressure, you name it. I learned things about my feet I was clueless of and this is a girl who saw a foot doctor for 20 years.

Based on the scan results, Joey pulled out the three best sneaker options specifically for my feet. He was patient as I tried each one multiple times in search for the perfect most comfortable fit and he answered all my questions along the way.

Normally, when I go shoe shopping and voice my concerns and issues, the employees nod their heads and smile but don’t take into account what I am saying or what my needs are. Joey genuinely cared about making sure all of my needs were met, that I was leaving with the right pair of shoes, and was determined to make sure I would be training with confidence.

The best part? I didn’t pay for two different pairs.

I usually scramble out of the store with two boxes of sneakers, 4 shoes, and an empty wallet. Fleet Feet charged me for one pair and $20 for the second which is the most generous deal I have ever been given for my foot difference. I could have cried on sight.

Not only did I walk out of there with a comfortable and safe pair of shoes that will allow me to run with confidence but I left feeling heard, valued and taken care of. I have never had a nice pair of sneakers because I could never afford the two different sizes but Fleet Feet changed that for me.

Word-of-mouth brought me to their doors and I will continue to spread that good word. If you’re in the market for a pair of running sneakers, you now know where to go.