Episode 263: Maybe You DO Need Cushioned Shoes?

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.
→ Movement reeducation can reveal the true driver of your chronic pain.

Jae Gruenke is a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, running technique expert, and founder of The Balanced Runner™. Often called the "wise woman of running," she helps runners and triathletes—from beginners to Olympians—relieve pain, move more efficiently, and improve performance, especially when issues persist despite medical treatment.

A former professional dancer, Jae studied modern dance at Bennington College and Williams College and performed with New York City-based companies for more than a decade. Her work with choreography that required sustained outdoor running sparked a deep study of running mechanics, using her Feldenkrais training to make running feel easier and more enjoyable—then teaching those principles to others.

Her work has been featured in outlets including Runner's World UK and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and she contributed to Dr. Mark Cucuzzella's 1-2-3 Run program for the US Air Force.

Connect With Jae:
Website: https://www.balancedrunner.com/

Connect with Steven:
Xero Shoes: https://xeroshoes.com/
Join the MOVEMENT Movement: https://jointhemovementmovement.com/
X: https://x.com/XeroShoes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeroshoes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xeroshoes