Latest news with #liberating
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm going barefoot for a YEAR... I've suffered gruesome injuries on my feet and have been thrown out of stores
A man who has been barefoot for the last nine months has opened up about the gruesome injuries that he's endured and the brutal backlash that he's faced over the experiment. Bear Intentions, 34, a personal trainer, yoga teacher and massage therapist from the UK, made it his goal to walk around without any footwear on for an entire year. He began the project in October, and over the last nine months, he has gone completely shoe-less. That means he's gone without shoes on public transportation, on dirty streets in New York, and even in public toilets. Now, he has spoken exclusively with the Daily Mail about the bizarre endeavor, and he admitted that he's faced a slew of challenges along the way - like getting 'glass, stones and countess thorns' stuck in his feet and being thrown out of stores. But he insisted that it's been incredibly 'liberating' and totally worth the discomfort. 'When I get past those moments of discomfort (i.e. public toilets, gravel tracks, London Underground, glass alleyways, New York City etc.), it's radically shaped how I engage with the world,' he dished. 'I've had very novel and fascinating conversations with strangers that I wouldn't have had otherwise, I pay more attention to my environment, I feel more confident somehow. 'It's been a rollercoaster. A seemingly minor change such as not wearing shoes or socks for almost a year has changed my life in many - mostly positive - ways.' The UK-native explained that in addition to constantly stepping on sharp objects, he has developed multiple serious conditions over the last nine months. He battled something called trench-foot, which develops after prolonged exposure of the feet to cold, wet conditions. 'Living in Portugal in the winter led to some unexpected trench-foot - two weeks of solid rain in which I had to walk my dog a few times a day, plus surfing and not drying or taking proper care of my feet,' he explained. 'The soles of my feet started to disintegrate. I had to spend another couple of weeks with zero moisture to dry them out.' He also developed tendinitis, which is the inflammation, irritation, or swelling of a tendon, which is the tissue connecting muscle to bone. But he confessed that the biggest risk has nothing to do with injuries. 'One of the biggest hazards that's keep my eyes to the ground is dog s**t,' he joked. He insisted that it's been incredibly 'liberating' and totally worth the discomfort. 'When I get past those moments of discomfort, it's radically shaped how I engage with the world,' he said Bear admitted to the Daily Mail that he often faces cruel judgement from strangers and has been kicked out of stores on multiple occasions. 'I'm used to people staring at me but with being barefoot, it's frequently a look of disgust which can grate on me sometimes,' he said. 'I've had no problems with restaurants but I've been told I'm not allowed inside multiple supermarkets. 'A few of those times I'd be in the middle of my shopping and be asked to leave.' Arguably one of most dramatic moments was when he was almost thrown off a flight after he boarded with no shoes on. 'I had already boarded the flight (as I had done on the previous three flights I'd flown on to get there),' he recalled. 'The cabin crew saw I was shoeless and told me I couldn't be on the plane barefooted. 'So myself and my friend got off the plane and quickly went to speak to the flight manager at the gate desk.' After explaining the situation and 'a few minutes of back and forth,' Bear said the manager told him he 'could embark on the plane as long as he told them it was for religious purposes.' As for why he's doing it, Bear explained that it's part of a bigger 'project' he's working on that involves multiple year-long challenges 'Thankfully I was allowed back on moments before they ended boarding. There was a lot riding on that flight, with two connecting flights back to Europe,' he added. 'They were all doing their jobs and I respect their policies however, it was an emotional moment.' As for why he's doing it, Bear explained that it's part of a bigger 'project' he's working on that involves multiple year-long challenges. 'I'm a wellbeing artist, which basically means I look for creative ways to live a healthy life,' he explained. 'This year-long challenge of being barefoot is a part of four years of consecutive challenges that I've set myself in order to study the relationship between intention and tension. 'The previous challenges have consisted of 365 day-long vow of silence, 365 days wearing only fancy dress costumes, and 365 days of service (asking "how can I help"). 'My plan is to take all of my experiences and findings over the last four years and place them in a book about why purpose matters now more than ever. 'I grew up without my father present so these four years can also be seen as a "rite of passage." 'I want to be a caring husband and stable father one day and felt this would be a good way for me to learn what I didn't as a child.' He's now setting out to walk all the way from Italy to London while barefoot - which is a whopping 745 miles. He expects it to take six to eight weeks and plans to walk anywhere from 10-25 miles per day depending on weather. 'I want to use it as a time to reflect on my experiences and process the past four years,' he said. 'I'm also fundraising for two UK charities: CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Medical Detection Dogs.' In the end, he said he's learned so much from the endeavor, and he's impressed by his own dedication. 'I sold my house to afford to go through these challenges and dedicated the last six years of my life to this project,' he dished. 'So if there's one thing I've learnt is that having and fulfilling ones purpose is a matter of dedication - sacrifice.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I go to a pub in Lancashire completely starkers with my man after stripping off in the car – we get abuse & shrug it off
Scroll down as Colin reveals what people say to the couple when they are seen naked in public ALE NATURALE I go to a pub in Lancashire completely starkers with my man after stripping off in the car – we get abuse & shrug it off A COUPLE have revealed how they attend their local pub naked - and describe the experience as "liberating". Since 2022, Sadie Tann, 35, and her partner Colin Unsworth, 55, have been going completely nude to their closest watering hole to listen to some of their favourite musicians. 8 A couple have opened up on going to the pub totally naked Credit: SWNS 8 Sadie Tann, 35, and her partner Colin Unsworth, 55, have been going completely nude to their closest watering hole since 2022 Credit: SWNS 8 They aren't bothered by what people think Credit: SWNS 8 The couple trip off at the car before going into their local pub Credit: SWNS Colin, a wild foraging teacher has been a naturist for over a decade, first getting involved aged 42 with the sponsored World Naked Bike Ride in Manchester in 2012. Colin said that he strips down to spread the message of body positivity and also raise awareness for mental health. Though he claimed that the couple receive some backlash from strangers, he has revealed "most of the time" they are met with "positivity" and "admiration" for being "comfortable" in their own skin. He explained: "We strip down in the car and go inside without clothes on. "There are four pubs we go to and we had to build up relationships with the owners and staff to let us do it. "At the shows people always ask questions saying I must be 'super confident' but mainly I accept and am comfortable in my own skin. "Body shame has done a lot of damage to people - modern society holds a moral shame over a naked body but that should never be the case." "I don't do it for attention, I do it to spread the word of body positivity." Naturism is the act of going outside without clothes on in a non-sexual manner, which is legal in the UK even if it causes offense. Though it can be seen as illegal if the person is acting in a way which causes harassment, alarm, or distress to others. Watch the moment Sian Welby and Craig Doyle reel in horror as naked men sit on the This Morning sofa Colin, from Adlington, in Lancashire, highlighted that throughout his childhood he was "hypersensitive" to touch and didn't like the feeling of clothes on his body. He said this continued into his adult life but it wasn't until he parted from his wife of 20 years he decided to step into the world of naturism which started with him going wild shrubbing in just an apron. Now, Colin and Sadie go to the pub naked once a month, mainly to catch some live music. They arrive at the venue nude, saying it saves the "awkwardness" of being clothed and then getting undressed. What is Naturism? Naturism, also known as nudism, is a cultural and lifestyle movement that advocates for and practices social nudity in both private and public spaces. The philosophy behind naturism emphasises harmony with nature, self-respect, respect for others, and a sense of community. Naturism is a diverse and inclusive lifestyle choice that encourages individuals to embrace their natural state, foster a deeper connection with nature, and build a community based on mutual respect and equality. Naturists believe that naturism promotes a healthy and accepting attitude toward the human body, regardless of shape, size, or imperfections. Many naturists are also advocates for environmental conservation and sustainable living, believing in a close connection with nature. Naturism also fosters a sense of equality, as clothing often signifies social status, and its absence can help break down these barriers. The couple spent time getting to know the owners and staff before they were allowed inside nude. Colin added: "It took time before we were able to. "I became a regular at the places and got to know the staff and the owner really well. "We only did it when the owner agreed to it." He shared that after entering for the first couple of minutes he feels "exposed" but following buying a drink and having a few conversations it becomes "normal". It seems to add a positive vibe to the pub - you find people often talk about it long after the occasion Colin Unsworth Colin expressed: "All conversations happen with eye contact and after a few minutes you forget you are naked. "When the music starts playing we feel vibrant and free and also feel accepted. "People at the gig also tell us that it is better for their experience, they feel part of something that is liberating even if they themselves aren't naked. "In a normal sense we are just there to enjoy the evening and music just like everybody else, making sure we are having a good time. "It seems to add a positive vibe to the pub - you find people often talk about it long after the occasion." 8 Colin has been a naturist for over a decade Credit: SWNS 8 The couple describe the experience as 'liberating" Credit: SWNS The naturist also acknowledged that he rarely runs into issues with people once inside, as he continued: "People come up to us all the time and ask us questions. "We find ourselves talking about body acceptance and positivity and most of the time they find themselves coming to terms with their own bodies after our conversations. "People often say that they feel that we've made them feel that they can also be accepted as themselves." Though he explained when they do get abused, they simply "shrug it off" and continue, as they "aren't doing anything wrong". Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 8 Colin shared that after entering for the first couple of minutes he feels "exposed" but following buying a drink and having a few conversations it becomes "normal" Credit: SWNS
