Why your body’s feedback matters more than expert advice
My wife recently tried on a pair of ASICS Gel Nimbus.
Instant reaction: “Wow.”
Soft. Plush. Comfortable. The kind of shoe that makes your body relax before your brain even gets a vote.
Then came the conversation with the sales assistant.
“If you like the Nimbus, you should try the Cumulus — similar feel, a bit lighter, great all-rounder.”
She tried them on.
They were okay.
Not bad. Not uncomfortable.
But… not that feeling.
Her gut quietly said: These aren’t the same.
She bought them anyway.
And later? Regret.
The difference between “fine” and “right”
This is a really common trap — especially in running, fitness, and gear choices.
On paper, the Cumulus makes sense:
- Neutral daily trainer
- Versatile
- Lighter
- Well-reviewed
But the body doesn’t read spec sheets.
My wife runs 5 km jogs, nothing extreme. She also wears her runners day-to-day — walking, standing, living life. That means comfort isn’t a luxury; it’s part of how her body recovers and feels every single day.
The Nimbus told her that immediately.
The Cumulus didn’t.
That tiny hesitation — that “hmm, not quite” feeling — was the most important data point of all.
Your body knows before your brain explains it
We’re taught to override instinct:
- “The expert knows better”
- “It’ll break in”
- “You’ll get used to it”
- “This model is more appropriate for your use”
Sometimes that’s true.
But when it comes to comfort, your nervous system is brutally honest.
It responds instantly to pressure, cushioning, stability, and fit.
That first reaction matters because:
- It’s unfiltered
- It’s not influenced by price or persuasion
- It’s how your body will feel at kilometre 4.5 of a 5k
- It’s how your feet will feel at the end of a long day
If the initial feedback is muted or uncertain, it rarely improves with time.
“I should have trusted my gut”
That sentence comes up a lot in hindsight.
Not just with shoes — but with:
- Training plans
- Injuries
- Nutrition
- Work decisions
- Life choices
The gut feeling isn’t magic.
It’s your brain processing thousands of signals faster than conscious thought can keep up.
In this case, her feet already knew:
“These aren’t as plush. These aren’t what I want to live in.”
Comfort is not weakness
There’s sometimes an unspoken idea that choosing the plushest option is somehow “less serious” or “too soft.”
But comfort:
- Reduces fatigue
- Encourages consistency
- Improves recovery
- Makes running more enjoyable
For someone doing regular 5k jogs and wearing their runners casually, comfort isn’t indulgent — it’s practical.
If a shoe makes you want to lace up more often, it’s doing its job.
The takeaway
Expert advice is valuable.
Reviews are useful.
Recommendations have their place.
But your body gets the final vote.
If something feels right immediately — listen to that.
If your gut hesitates — pause.
And if you ever hear yourself saying, “I loved the first one, but…” — that “but” is important.
Next time:
Trust your gut.
Trust your feet.
They’re with you for every step — long after the salesperson is gone.
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