Helen Halkias Podiatrist

Helen Halkias Podiatrist Functional Podiatry Health Centre for complete Lower Limb Health

14/05/2026

Another day, another city, another visit to a barefoot shoe shop. 👣🌍

One thing I deliberately wanted to do on this trip was seek out barefoot shoe stores in different parts of the world and learn more about the people behind them — so while researching Montenegro, VivaWalk Barefoot in Podgorica immediately went on my list.

VivaWalk is currently the first and only barefoot shoe store of its kind in Montenegro, opened by Dejan and his wife in September last year. What started as a side hobby has now become their full-time passion project.

Dejan told me his own journey into barefoot footwear started around 20 years ago after struggling to find shoes that properly fit his large, wide feet. Then he discovered Shapen shoes — and never looked back.

At the moment they stock brands including Be Lenka and Muris, with plans to continue expanding their range as awareness around natural footwear slowly grows here in Montenegro.

One of the things I’ve loved most about this trip is connecting with people from completely different countries and cultures who have all arrived at a very similar conclusion — that footwear should work with the human foot, not against it.

It’s honestly pretty amazing seeing this movement quietly spreading across the world, one conversation and one small store at a time. 👣✨

There’s something about Greece that keeps teaching me to let go of appearances.Yesterday afternoon I stumbled across thi...
12/05/2026

There’s something about Greece that keeps teaching me to let go of appearances.

Yesterday afternoon I stumbled across this tiny little taverna down a street that, honestly, looked a bit rough around the edges. Music was spilling out onto the road, people were singing, laughing, plates clattering… and there was just something about it that pulled me in. I didn’t have time to stop then, but I knew I had to come back that night.

So after climbing Lycabettus Hill and walking what felt like half of Athens, I did. There was a queue out the front, the music was blaring old Greek classics I grew up hearing at weddings and family functions, and the whole place was overflowing with life.

The old me probably never would’ve walked into a place like this alone. But travel changes you. It gives you confidence. It makes you chase authenticity over polish.

I stuck my head in and asked in Greek if they had space for one person. They squeezed me into this tiny little nook beside a staircase, next to a beautiful cat who clearly lived there too 😂 And honestly? It was perfect.

No pretentiousness. No curated aesthetic. Just honest food, loud music, heart, soul, and people enjoying themselves. Very Greek in the best possible way.

Also… my new Ancient Greek Sandals officially passed the Athens pavement test 👌🏼 Because if you’ve walked Athens, you know those streets will humble your ankles very quickly.

One of those nights where you realise the best travel moments are rarely the fancy ones. They’re the ones that feel real. 🇬🇷

11/05/2026

I turned up to my Mount Lycabettus walking tour, waited 15 minutes… only to find out the guide had had a minor accident and the tour was cancelled (thankfully they refunded me straight away). So instead of heading back, I decided to just do it myself — and honestly, I’m so glad I did.

I started on the path, then somehow ended up climbing the steep rocky stairs up the side of the mountain 😅 My .barefoot Nomad shoes handled it really well considering they’re not even trail shoes, and my calves definitely got a workout too.

I made it to the top just in time to watch the lowering of the Greek flag beside the little church at the summit — with two soldiers performing the ceremony as the sun was setting over Athens. Such a beautiful moment.

The views from up there are absolutely phenomenal. You can see virtually all of Athens stretched out around you.

On the way down, I accidentally found the cable car 😂 Fun experience… although you basically travel through a dark tunnel inside the mountain with no views until you pop out the other side.

Then another long walk back through Athens as the city started transitioning into evening life — people heading home, others heading out, the city still glowing in daylight. Absolutely beautiful.

A mildly challenging but incredibly rewarding way to finish a very big walking day in Athens — and honestly, I’m pretty proud of myself 🫶🇬🇷 —

11/05/2026

Here’s a snap shot of my time exploring in Athens — chatting with other like-minded people, hearing their stories, how they discovered barefoot footwear and why they’ve chosen this path for themselves.

One of the best parts of visiting places like this is that even when you’re miles away from home, you suddenly feel very at home around people who think similarly about movement, feet and footwear.

I also discovered a couple of brands that were new to me, including .shoes and , alongside brands like Xero, Groundies, Be Lenka, Barebarics and Saguaro.

There were SO many colours and styles I wanted to bring home with me… but unfortunately airline baggage limits had other ideas 😂

This whole trip has become part holiday, part footwear research project for me. There still aren’t enough barefoot and foot-shaped footwear options out there, but slowly more people around the world are helping spread the message about why natural foot function and better footwear design simply makes sense.

11/05/2026

Deliberately sought this one out while in Athens.
Visited  inside the beautiful  in the heart of Athens and had the best time trying on what felt like half the store 😅

As a podiatrist, my criteria was pretty clear:
✔️ flat / zero drop (or as close to)
✔️ flexible
✔️ fixed at the heel
✔️ foot-shaped enough to let my toes move freely

After a LOT of trying on, I left with two pairs — a beautiful gold zero-drop pair and a black pair that still ticked most of my functional footwear boxes.

The space itself is stunning, the staff were incredibly lovely, and after all the shoe trying… a sparkling water with lime at the in-store bar absolutely hit the spot 🍋✨

I’ll do proper reviews of both pairs soon as I have given them a good test run/walk.

11/05/2026

I specifically wanted to visit while in Athens. 👣🇬🇷

I had done my research before arriving in Greece and knew this was the only dedicated barefoot shoe store of its kind in Athens — and possibly one of the very few in Greece — so I was really excited to check it out in person.

The owner told me he discovered Vibram FiveFingers around 20 years ago after spotting them on someone and wondering, “What ARE those?” 😅 That curiosity led him into the world of barefoot footwear and natural movement, and he’s been wearing them ever since.

We had a great chat about movement, awareness, sensory feedback, and reconnecting with the body through more natural footwear. He also mentioned that his clientele is roughly half locals and half tourists — which honestly didn’t surprise me 👣

I discovered some really interesting brands including Muris and Blusun.
• Muris felt like a great transition shoe with a little more cushioning.
• Blusun felt super flexible, lightweight, and very zero-drop.

I could have walked out with half the shop if I wasn’t trying to survive European luggage limits 😅✈️
Luckily, they ship worldwide… so Australia, you may not be safe from another barefoot shoe delivery yet 😂.

Back in Athens… and somehow it already feels like a dream ✨🇬🇷Less than 24 hours ago I arrived after a 30+ hour commute —...
11/05/2026

Back in Athens… and somehow it already feels like a dream ✨🇬🇷

Less than 24 hours ago I arrived after a 30+ hour commute — exhausted, slightly delirious, but so grateful to be here again after 12 months. Straight from airport mode into “hit the ground running” mode.

Checked into my little hotel in Monastiraki with the sweetest balcony overlooking the chaos and magic of the square, wandered through the markets, found beautiful handmade earrings and a ring from a local artisan jeweller, ate a souvlaki at a tiny taverna… and then came the real pinch-me moment.

For almost a year I’ve been following Cine Paris on Instagram, dreaming about coming here… and last night I finally did. Watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 on a rooftop as the sun set over Athens, with the Acropolis glowing in the background and that warm Greek night sky above me… honestly one of those moments you wish you could bottle forever.

Athens, it’s very good to be back 💙





24/04/2026

New shoes, same mission 👣✨

Unboxing my new Motus Flex and giving them the official test… a little happy dance 💃

Why I love functional footwear:✔️ Flat – helps restore natural alignment✔️ Flexible – lets your foot move how it was designed to move✔️ Foot-shaped – room for toes to spread and stabilise✔️ Fixed – secure on the foot, not slipping around

Shoes shouldn’t do all the work for your feet… your feet should stay strong enough to do the work themselves.

Strong feet. Better movement. Smarter footwear. 👣





06/04/2026

Behind every calm clinic space is a whole lot of unseen effort and love. 🎨
Seven years since I first created this space, it felt like time for a little glow-up.
So this Easter long weekend, that was the time.
So many feet have walked through these doors over the years, and I’m very proud of that.
I’m happy and proud to say that she’s is shes now refreshed, glowed up, and ready to welcome you again ✨ -
HelenHalkiasPodiatrist

01/04/2026

My first ever camping trip and honestly… she changed me a little bit.
Sunsets, beach nights, tent mornings, camp stove dinners, public shower survival, lots of laughs, dancing on the beach, barefoot wandering, playing pool in little country pubs with the locals, and fully soaking up the ground, the sand, the earth, and all the beauty around me.

Fish Creek, Meeniyan, and Wilsons Prom were the dreamiest little reset.
New places, simple moments, happy feet, and the kind of adventure that fills your cup in the best way.💚





Be warned!!!If you hang around me long enough,it’s a matter of when, not if, you convert to barefoot shoes. -And why wo...
14/03/2026

Be warned!!!
If you hang around me long enough,
it’s a matter of when, not if, you convert to barefoot shoes. -
And why wouldn’t you?

Barefoot shoes allow your feet to do what they were designed to do:

👣 Wide toe box – lets your toes spread naturally for better balance and stability
👣 Thin flexible sole – improves sensory feedback from the ground (proprioception)
👣 Zero drop – encourages a more natural posture and gait
👣 Foot strength – helps activate and strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot
👣 Better movement – supports more natural walking and running mechanics

Your feet were never designed to be squeezed into narrow, rigid shoes.

Sometimes the best support for your feet…
is letting them work the way nature intended.

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Address

68d South Parade Blackburn
Melbourne, VIC
3130

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
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Saturday 9am - 1pm

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