At Myokinetix Physical Therapy & Performance, we’re always looking for innovative solutions that help our clients recover faster and perform better. That’s why we we’re excited to sit down with Rob Gregg, founder of Stand+, a company that’s changing how we think about recovery footwear.
The Recovery Footwear Mission Behind Stand+
Rob’s journey began during the pandemic with a simple but powerful observation: healthcare workers were standing for all of us, literally working 12-16 hour shifts on their feet, yet nobody was providing them with proper foot support.
“I used to work 16-hour days in a mail room on concrete,” Rob shares. “During the pandemic, I started giving back to nurses who were on their feet all day, showing up through the worst health conditions. But who’s standing for them?”
Rob’s journey began during the pandemic with a simple but powerful observation: healthcare workers were standing for all of us, literally working 12-16 hour shifts on their feet, yet nobody was providing them with proper foot support.
“I used to work 16-hour days in a mail room on concrete,” Rob shares. “During the pandemic, I started giving back to nurses who were on their feet all day, showing up through the worst health conditions. But who’s standing for them?”
This led to Stand+’s core mission: “Stand for those who stand for us.” It’s about supporting people who stand for something meaningful, healthcare workers, athletes, or anyone in demanding jobs that require long hours on their feet.
The Problem with Current Recovery Footwear
At our clinic, we see how footwear choices directly impact recovery. Athletes often wear Crocs or designer slides during recovery, neither providing the support needed for proper healing.
Rob’s research revealed a fundamental flaw in recovery footwear. Working with sports therapy labs, Stand+ discovered that traditional athletic shoes do the opposite of what you want during recovery.
“Athletic shoes are designed to store energy and put it back into your body, they act like a trampoline,” Rob explains. “They’re trying to propel you forward, give you that extra jump. It’s the opposite of what you want in recovery mode.”
The solution? Create the “slowest shoe in the world” one that absorbs and disperses impact rather than bouncing it back into your body.
Innovation Through Honest Feedback
Stand+ takes an unusual approach to product development: they actively seek out negative feedback.
“We love one-star reviews,” Rob says. “People who love you won’t tell you what to improve. People who don’t love you will tell you everything straight.”
This philosophy has driven four generations of product improvements. Rob’s team calls customers who leave one-star reviews, asks what went wrong, then works to address those specific concerns.
“At some point, you run out of one-star reviews. You just get it right,” Rob notes.
The Science Behind Stand+ Technology Recovery Footwear
Stand+ shoes combine two critical elements often missing in recovery footwear:
Impact Dispersion: Instead of returning energy like athletic shoes, Stand+ absorbs and disperses impact forces, reducing stress on joints.
Complete Support System: Unlike many recovery shoes that skip insoles to cut costs, Stand+ includes both a high-quality outsole and insole. “You wouldn’t pull the mattress off a bed for a good night’s sleep,” Rob explains.
Medical Recognition: HSA/FSA Eligible
After four years of development, Stand+ became the first recovery shoe that’s HSA/FSA eligible. This required rigorous testing with podiatrists, the American Medical Podiatric Association, and Johns Hopkins foot and ankle specialists.
In the final validation, 99% of medical evaluators approved the shoes for health-benefits eligibility. We see at Myokinetix that proper footwear is crucial for injury prevention and recovery.
From Healthcare to Professional Athletics
While initially focused on healthcare workers, the athletic community quickly embraced Stand+ technology. The breakthrough came when Rob met Billy Davis, president of NFL Alumni Health, who had undergone 11 surgeries on his lower extremities.
After trying Stand+ shoes, Davis called two weeks later to “complain” that Rob had ruined other shoes for him, these were the only ones that worked.
This led to partnerships with the NFL Players Association, with athletes like Terrell Owens becoming early adopters. Feedback from professional athletes has been consistently positive, with one manager noting: “Usually we get seven out of 10 guys that like something. This is 10 out of 10 every single time.”
Why Recovery Footwear Matters at Myokinetix
We’ve seen firsthand how Stand+ shoes impact our clients’ recovery. Athletes who struggled with foot, knee, hip, and back pain from inadequate recovery footwear now have a solution that works.
When assessing clients with pain issues, we always examine their footwear. Wear patterns tell us about movement patterns and injury risks before we begin physical assessment. As we tell our clients: “Your ability can only take you as far as your availability. To be available, you need to be healthy.”
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Rob’s path wasn’t easy. He faced 362 rejections while trying to raise funds, at one point having just $412 in his bank account. But he stayed focused on solving real problems rather than creating “a slightly better version” of existing products.
“I don’t solve problems. I turn problems into greatness,” Rob reflects. “If pipes are leaking in your basement, I’m not putting duct tape on it. I’m figuring out why it leaked and rebuilding so it never happens again.”
His Personal Motivation
Behind the business success is personal motivation. Rob, now father to an eight-month-old daughter, sees his work as creating opportunities for the next generation.
“The best gold medal I’ve ever gotten is being a dad,” he shares. “I want to give my daughter the resources to chase whatever dreams she has.”
Key Takeaways for Our Clients
Rob’s journey offers important insights:
- Pain during recovery isn’t normal: Proper footwear makes a significant difference
- Invest in recovery: Your feet are the foundation of your entire movement system
- Think long-term: Prevention is more effective than treatment
- Recovery happens 24/7: What you wear off the field impacts performance on it
The Future of Comprehensive Care
The partnership between innovative companies like Stand+ and clinics like us at Myokinetix represents the future of healthcare, preventing problems before they require extensive treatment.
When our clients leave the clinic, they’re not just carrying treatment recommendations, they’re walking in shoes that continue the recovery process with every step.
Whether you’re a professional athlete, healthcare worker, or active individual, the message is clear: your feet deserve the same attention as any other part of your health strategy.
Want to learn more about recovery footwear and injury prevention? check out our talk with Rob below!
Discover more about Stand+ and how it can help you here.
If you are looking for more comprehensive care, visit Myokinetix Physical Therapy & Performance in East Hanover, NJ, where we combine expert care with performance-driven recovery.
Ready to take the next step? Click the button below to Book Your Free Discovery Call and let us help you reach your health and performance goals.