Odette Blacklock is a podiatrist, mentor, speaker and functional fitness trainer whose work sits across clinic, performance and education. A world champion barefoot beach runner and former Survivor contestant, Odette has built an impressive career by following her interest in movement – and now encouraging fellow podiatrists to think about where podiatry can take them.
Odette spoke to STRIDE in advance of her upcoming session in Kingscliff across August 21 to 22, 2026.
Before entering podiatry, Odette Blacklock worked as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor. Health, movement and athletic performance had always been central interests, although she admits she did not initially have a clear professional destination in mind.
While considering several university pathways, including physical education and osteopathy, a conversation with a friend studying podiatry helped shape her future direction.
“She said, ‘You run, you’re into athletics. You could do podiatry.’ That was the moment it clicked,” Odette recalls.
At the time, however, the decision was driven by more than passion alone. As a single mother, financial security was a major consideration. “I needed a profession that could support my son and still align with my interests in health and movement.”
What began as a practical decision would eventually evolve into a career that combined clinical expertise, athletic performance, education and entrepreneurship.
As Odette completed her studies, social media was beginning to create new opportunities for professionals to share ideas and connect with broader audiences. Drawing on both her clinical knowledge and personal experience as a runner, she began writing about footwear, performance and training. Odette speaks more about this inspiring social media trajectory in her upcoming keynote speech in Kingscliff in August.
Ultimately though, Odette concludes, “Most of the opportunities I’ve had come from simply putting myself out there and sharing something I was passionate about.”
One of the most significant turning points in Odette’s career came unexpectedly. The day before she was due to speak at Google, she slipped and fractured her ankle. The injury marked the beginning of one of the most difficult periods of her life.
Unable to train and struggling with the physical and emotional consequences of losing a major part of her identity, Odette experienced financial hardship and a loss of confidence that challenged both her personal and professional direction.
Looking back, she believes the injury ultimately transformed her understanding of rehabilitation.
“My focus shifted from simply looking at biomechanics to asking broader questions about how people recover, how they breathe, how their nervous system responds to stress, and how confidence influences movement.”
The experience prompted a deeper exploration of fascia, breathing mechanics, movement variability and nervous system regulation – areas that continue to influence her clinical approach today.
For Odette, the injury highlighted something she believes is often overlooked within healthcare.
“We work with feet, but feet don’t exist in isolation.”
Her experiences as both a clinician and patient reinforced the importance of considering the entire person rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis or body part.
Through her own recovery, she developed a greater appreciation for the relationship between foot function, breathing, movement quality, confidence and overall wellbeing. Those insights eventually became the foundation of the education and movement programs she now teaches.
While traditional biomechanics remains an important part of her practice, Odette says her work increasingly focuses on helping people understand how the foot interacts with the rest of the body and nervous system.
As her recovery progressed, Odette gradually returned to running and competition. What began as a personal journey back to movement ultimately led to national titles and, eventually, a world championship in barefoot beach sprinting. While Odette covers the details behind this incredible journey in her upcoming keynote, she sees those achievements less as sporting accomplishments and more as evidence of what rehabilitation can achieve.
“Winning the world title wasn’t really about the title. It was about trusting my body again,” she says. This perspective continues to shape how she works with patients facing injury, pain and setbacks of their own.
Today, Odette divides her time between clinical practice, movement education, workshops, retreats and mentoring. She is particularly passionate about encouraging fellow podiatrists to explore opportunities beyond traditional practice models.
“The skills we develop as podiatrists are incredibly transferable,” she says. “Whether your interests are education, sport, business, technology, movement or community health, there are ways to build those passions into your career.”
She also believes podiatrists are uniquely positioned to play a larger role in preventative health and movement education. “We can influence much more than feet. We can help people move better, feel more confident and improve their long-term health.”
For Odette, one of the profession’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. Her own career serves as an example of how a podiatry qualification can become the foundation for a diverse and meaningful professional journey.
For podiatrists wondering what is possible within the profession, Odette’s story offers a powerful reminder that sometimes the most rewarding careers begin when we allow our interests to extend beyond the clinic walls.
Odette explores these concepts in more detail in Kingscliff, with targeted advice for podiatrists on how to expand their career, via a series of revealing interactive activities.
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You can learn more from Odette and take part in her innovative movement class in Kingscliff this August 21 to 22, 2026.
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