How Two RNs Built a Thriving Brand for Nurses: Uni Shoes Is Back with Big Updates

What happens when two registered nurses get tired of ruined shoes, aching feet, and energy crashes on 12-hour shifts? They build a brand from scratch, and they don't stop at footwear. In this episode of Nursing Uncharted, host Ann welcomes back Loftin Dortch and Alex Pastorkovich, the co-founders of Uni Shoes, for an exciting update on where the brand is today. From a recovery shoe collaboration to a nurse-engineered backpack, a jitter-free energy drink, and a next-generation shoe currently in development, Uni is redefining what it means to support nurses as the everyday athletes they are. Plus, Loftin and Alex open up about the emotional weight of leaving the bedside and why staying connected to nursing still drives everything they do. **Key Topics Discussed:** - From pain point to product: How frustration with hospital footwear sparked a footwear brand built by nurses, for nurses - New product launches: The Keen Footwear recovery shoe collaboration, a nurse-specific functional backpack, and the ØCAF energy drink - Nurse-centered design: Why lived clinical experience shapes every product decision Uni makes - Leaving the bedside: The guilt, the identity shift, and the perspective that makes it worthwhile - Nurses as everyday athletes: The case for treating healthcare professionals with the same performance focus as elite sports stars - What's next: A three-year-in-development next-generation shoe with advanced technology built for the hospital floor **Chapters:** - 00:00—Welcome back: Catching up with the Uni Shoes co-founders - 02:02—The origin story: Why nurses needed a better shoe - 05:54—New products: Recovery shoes, backpacks, and lunch boxes - 09:42—No-Caf: The nurse-specific energy drink with no jitters or sleep disruption - 12:18—Nurses are everyday athletes: Reframing how we see healthcare professionals - 20:05—Leaving the bedside: Guilt, identity, and finding a new way to contribute - 27:45—Keeping your license active and your options open - 29:12—The Amazon partnership and promo code - 33:20—Running a 100-mile ultramarathon and how it shapes product design - 31:08—What's coming next: The next-generation Uni shoe **Resources Mentioned:** - Uni Shoes website—browse shoes, the backpack, and all new products - Use code **AMN10** for 10% off! - ØCAF energy drink—Uni's nurse-formulated beverage featuring paraxanthine, a caffeine metabolite that delivers focus without jitters or sleep disruption - Keen Footwear—recovery shoe collaboration partner - Per Diem Roles at AMN Healthcare—flexible per diem and travel nursing opportunities for nurses exploring options outside staff positions - AMN Passport App—manage your assignments and career journey on the go **Guest Spotlight** Loftin Dortch and Alex Pastorkovich are two registered nurses who turned a shared frustration into a thriving brand. Alex's background spans emergency medicine and functional medicine, while Loftin brings deep clinical insight from years at the bedside. Together, they co-founded Uni Shoes with one clear mission: to treat nurses like high-performance athletes. They are both preparing to run the Tahoe 100-mile ultramarathon, and that same endurance mindset drives every product they build. Their story is proof that nursing expertise does not stop at the hospital door; it can power an entire brand. If this episode inspired you, subscribe to Nursing Uncharted and share it with a nurse who deserves to be seen as the everyday athlete they are. Your next chapter might be closer than you think. ### **Connect With Us** If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform. You can also find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram at **@AMNnurse**. **About Ann** Ann King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13+ years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 5+ years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing. *Connect with Ann on Instagram:* @annifer05 **Are you interested in coming on as a guest?** Send us a message at podcasts@amnhealthcare.com **Episode Sponsor:** We're proudly sponsored by **AMN Healthcare**, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using **AMN Passport**. 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