Mile 18: The Lower Body Most runners think their legs are the stars of the show, but when something breaks down, it’s usually not the legs themselves that are the problem. In this episode, we unpack Chapter 18 of The Runner’s Paradox and look at the lower body through a smarter lens: the pelvis, hips, knees, and feet as a connected system, not isolated parts. We explore how subtle issues like anterior pelvic tilt, glutes underactivation, or stiff ankles can quietly erode running efficiency. We also look at why knee pain is often a symptom of problems elsewhere, and how foot mechanics play a bigger role than most people think. With practical insights from the clinic, current biomechanical research, and real runner stories, we break down what it really means to “run from the hips”, and how to tell if your lower body is helping you run better, or just holding things together until something gives out. Based on The Runner’s Paradox by Ying. Find out more at therunnersparadox.com. Listen during your next run and pay attention to what’s really doing the work.