Frequently asked questions

No! While stretching is an important part of recovery, The DIY Fix takes a complete, holistic approach that includes:
Targeted stretches and strengthening exercises
Anti-inflammatory nutrition and supplement guidance
Proper footwear and tool recommendations
Self-massage techniques
Lifestyle modifications for long-term relief
This is why stretching alone often fails — you need to address all the contributing factors, not just one.
For those who want personalized guidance beyond a self-guided program, the Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program provides 1-on-1 coaching with Dr. Varner where every recommendation is built around your specific situation.

The DIY Fix is a complete at-home system for people who prefer a self-guided approach.

The Core Program ($47) includes a 50+ page blueprint, shoe and insert guide, anti-inflammatory nutrition plan, grocery list, recovery tracker, and a 'When to See a Podiatrist' checklist.

The TrueStep Experience ($74) adds a full video course with follow-along tutorials, printable worksheets, daily tracker, and bonus content. One-time payment, lifetime access.

The Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program is a personalized 90-day coaching program with Dr. Varner.

It includes a custom Heel Pain Relief Blueprint built specifically for YOUR foot, four 1-on-1 video calls (Day 1, 30, 60, and 90), a footwear prescription, custom stretching and strengthening protocol, recovery tool protocol, anti-inflammatory nutrition plan, and the bonus Read Your Pain & Adjust course.

This is not a generic program — every recommendation is personalized to your foot, your schedule, and your pain patterns.

Price: $997 (workshop rate, full value $2,500). Learn more at www.tailoredheelpain.com

Results vary by individual, but most people following the system consistently report:

2-3 weeks: Noticeable reduction in morning pain
6-8 weeks: Significant improvement (50-70% reduction in pain)
12 weeks: Return to normal activities with minimal to no pain
The key is consistency. This isn't a quick fix—it's a structured, sustainable approach to healing. The longer you've had heel pain, the longer recovery may take, but improvement is absolutely possible.

All digital products (DIY Fix, Stretching Guide, Shoe & Insert Guide) are one-time payments with lifetime access. No subscriptions, no recurring charges.

The Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program  is also a one-time payment that covers all 4 video calls and your personalized blueprint for the full 90 days. Payment plans are available for the Tailored Program.

Yes! All materials are accessible on any device:

Phone (iOS or Android)
Tablet (iPad, Android tablets)
Computer (Mac or PC)
The videos are streaming-based (no downloads required), and the eBook can be downloaded as a PDF for offline viewing if you prefer.

Yes! Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, and this system was specifically designed to address it.

The DIY Fix targets all the contributing factors to plantar fasciitis:

Tight calf muscles
Weak foot muscles
Chronic inflammation
Poor footwear choices
Repetitive stress and overuse
This comprehensive approach is why it works when other methods (like stretching alone) don't provide lasting relief.

It's never too late. Many people in our case studies had chronic heel pain for 2-5+ years before finding relief with this system.

Chronic pain often takes longer to resolve than acute pain, but the same principles apply. The key is:

Consistency with the daily routine
Addressing all contributing factors (not just one)
Patience—healing takes time
If you've had pain for years, expect to commit to the full 90-day system. But improvement is absolutely possible.

If you have been dealing with chronic heel pain and the DIY approach has not worked, the Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program may be a better fit — it gives you a podiatrist who builds a plan specifically for your situation and adjusts it over 90 days.

Physical therapy is valuable, but it has limitations:

PT visits are limited (6-12 sessions typical)
They often focus only on stretching/strengthening
Diet and inflammation are rarely addressed
You may not have learned self-care for long-term maintenance
The DIY Fix complements PT by filling in the gaps: anti-inflammatory nutrition, proper tools and footwear, ongoing self-massage, and a complete 90-day plan you can follow at home.

Many people who've "failed" PT find success with this more comprehensive approach.

You'll need some basic, inexpensive items:

Massage ball or frozen water bottle (under $10)
Towel or resistance band (probably have at home)
Supportive shoes (you may already own these)
Firm arch support insoles (~$30-50)
Total investment in tools: $50-100 max.

The system includes a detailed toolkit checklist with specific recommendations so you know exactly what to buy and what to skip.

No expensive machines or devices required.

Don't worry! Here are the most common solutions:

Check your spam/junk folder for the order confirmation email (comes from SamCart)
Check the email address you used at checkout—make sure you're checking the right inbox
Wait 5-10 minutes after purchase—sometimes there's a slight delay
Still can't find it? Email us at [email protected] with:

The email address you used at checkout
Your order number (if you have it)
Date of purchase
We'll get you access within 24 hours.

eBook: Yes! The PDF can be downloaded for offline reading.

Video Course: Videos are streaming-only (not downloadable) to protect the content, but you can access them anytime from any device with internet connection.

Bonus Materials: All PDFs (trackers, checklists, templates) are downloadable.

For digital products (DIY Fix, Stretching Guide, Shoe & Insert Guide): All sales are final. These are digital products with immediate access upon purchase. You can preview free content before purchasing, and all product details are clearly outlined before checkout.

For the Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program: Dr. Varner offers a Right Fit Guarantee. If after reviewing your information — or after the first 1-on-1 call — she determines this program is not the right path for your pain (e.g., you need more advanced treatment, in-person evaluation, or a different approach), you receive a full refund. No questions, no hoops.
Have questions before buying? Email [email protected] with specific questions about whether this is right for you.

For any questions, technical issues, or product support, email us at:

[email protected]

We respond within 1-2 business days (typically faster).

Please include:

Your order number (if applicable)
The email address you used to purchase
A detailed description of your question or issue

Dr. Varner is a board-certified podiatrist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She treats plantar fasciitis almost every single day and runs two successful podiatry practices. She created TrueStep Collective to help people who have already tried everything — stretches, inserts, new shoes, rest, cortisone, night splints — and are still in pain.

The Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program is Dr. Varner doing for you what she does for patients in her office every day: reviewing your situation, building a plan that fits your life, and adjusting it until it works.

Yes. All content is:

Created by a licensed podiatrist
Based on evidence-based clinical practices
Informed by real patient outcomes
Reviewed for safety and effectiveness
Important: This is educational content, not personalized medical advice. If you have severe pain, diabetes, circulation issues, or other medical conditions, consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise or treatment program.

Free content is helpful, but it has major limitations:

No structure: Random videos don't create a cohesive plan
No progression: You don't know what to do when, or how to progress
Incomplete information: Most focus on stretching only, ignoring diet, tools, and lifestyle
No troubleshooting: What if it's not working? Free content won't help
Contradictory advice: Different "experts" say different things—who do you trust?
The DIY Fix gives you:

A clear, step-by-step 90-day plan
Everything in one place (not scattered across 50 videos)
Holistic approach that addresses all contributing factors
Professional guidance from a practicing podiatrist
Bonus materials (trackers, checklists, meal plans)
Think of it this way: You could learn to cook from random YouTube videos, or you could follow a structured cookbook from a professional chef. Both teach cooking, but one gets you better results faster.

The DIY products (Stretching Guide, Shoe & Insert Guide, DIY Fix) are self-guided resources you follow on your own. They are structured and clinician-designed, but they are not personalized to your specific foot.

The Tailored Heel Pain Relief Program is completely different — Dr. Varner personally reviews your situation, builds a custom blueprint for YOUR foot, YOUR schedule, and YOUR pain patterns, and meets with you on four 1-on-1 video calls over 90 days to adjust the plan as your foot responds. It is the difference between following a recipe and having a chef cook for you.

Day 1 (Blueprint Delivery Call): Dr. Varner reviews your situation and builds your personalized heel pain relief blueprint. She walks you through exactly what to do and why.

Day 30 (Check-In): She reviews your progress, adjusts your plan based on how your foot is responding, and answers your questions.

Day 60 (Check-In): She refines your routine, progresses your exercises, and ensures you are on track.

Day 90 (Final Check-In): You leave with a lifelong Stay-on-Track Plan so you know exactly how to maintain results and handle any future flare-ups.

Dr. Varner offers a Right Fit Guarantee. If she determines your condition requires more advanced treatment (like surgery), an in-person medical evaluation, or a different approach entirely — you get a full refund. She only works with people she can genuinely help. If she cannot confidently build you a plan that will make a difference, she will not take your money.

If your heel pain is relatively new (under 3 months), responds partially to rest or stretching, and you prefer working independently — start with the DIY Fix . If your heel pain has been around for months, you have already tried the DIY approach without lasting results, and you want a podiatrist to build a plan specifically for you — the Tailored Program is the better fit. Still unsure? Download the free guide first and see how your foot responds to structured care.