The Secret The Big Brands Don't Want You to Know: The Case for Minimalist Running Shoes with Steven Sashen

Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

There is a deep divide among runners about which is the best running shoe and the big super shoes seem to be winning. Is this because they are better, or is it just clever marketing with a big budget?

Steven Sashen thinks it’s the latter.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• why the barefoot/minimalist movement isn’t dead
• how a “natural” shoe can improve foot strength
• what the big brands don’t want you to know

The beauty of running is that you really don’t need much more than a pair of shoes to get started.

But does the kind of shoe really matter? Absolutely.

Hundreds of millions of dollars has been spent on the development of running shoes that promise to propel you farther and faster than you’ve gone before, while also delivering a smooth ride and making your feet look good.

Steven Sashen is the co-founder, along with his wife Lena Phoenix, of the minimalist footwear company Xero Shoes and he is also a master’s level sprinter. He claims not only that true minimalist shoes are better for your feet, but they are better for your running.

He takes issue that you need super shoes to run your best and in fact you might be causing more harm than good if your goal is to run for life.

And a fun fact, when Xero Shoes was just getting started, Steven and Lena appeared on the hit show Shark Tank, where they turned down a $400,000 offer from Kevin O'Leary.

I ask Steven about that experience, the pros and cons of each type of footwear, and where we go from here. It’s a lively and controversial conversation that just might have you rethinking what you put on your feet.

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This episode is sponsored by LMNT

When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I've coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it's been hurting their performance.

Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They've been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don't get enough for their lifestyle.

Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!

What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).

When I race, I don't crave sweet, I crave salt and LMNT is the perfect way to hydrate and replenish the electrolytes I need to perform and feel my best.

Head over to DrinkLMNT.com/RUNNERSCONNECT for your salty samples.