About this episode
Have you ever wondered why changing shoes helps for a while, only for the same pain to come back? This conversation will change how you think about feet, form, and "support." In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Jae Gruenke, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and founder of The Balanced Runner™, who explains why many runners stay stuck in pain even after new shoes, inserts, or medical treatment. Often called the "wise woman of running," she's helped runners and triathletes, from beginners to Olympians, improve performance and resolve chronic issues through neuromuscular reeducation and movement learning. Together, she and Steven Sashen unpack the cushioning vs minimalist debate and reveal the overlooked forces and compensation patterns that determine whether your stride feels easy or keeps fighting you. Key Takeaways:? Your nervous system governs movement choices, often limiting range and load as a protective strategy. ? Improved coordination reduces effort and unlocks "already-there" strength.? Foot soreness on pavement isn't automatic. Pain can signal excess horizontal force, not the hard ground. ? Chronic pain often creates compensation loops, making people double down on the pattern that caused the problem because it feels safest.?
