Episode 60Apr 20, 2026· 9:54

The Shoe Update: Why I Went With Asics (And Why I'm Still Looking)

▸ Show notes from the creator

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About this episode

Ashley Grant follows up on her previous shoe-search episode to explain why she chose the Asics Nova Blast 5s — driven by urgency after her old shoes developed holes at the balls of her feet — and why she's already researching her next pair despite being happy with the Asics. She discusses Brooks Ghost, Brooks Adrenaline, and Rikas as shoes she wants to try, invites listener shoe recommendations, and pitches a…

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Who this episode is for

This episode may resonate with you if:

You've been putting off finding the right workout shoes because your current ones are 'good enough,' but you know they're not actually working for your feet anymore.

You've made a purchase under pressure and it turned out fine, but now you can't stop wondering if there's something better out there — and you feel a little silly about it.

You're someone who loves to research and review things thoroughly before committing, but life keeps forcing you into last-minute decisions instead.

You're trying to keep your fitness routine going through a busy summer full of travel and you're already anxious about losing your momentum.

You're a self-described nerd who has also built a real fitness habit, and you rarely hear those two identities acknowledged in the same breath.

What makes this episode interesting

how do people actually choose workout shoes in a hurry

answered

Ashley went with what she already knew — she was already wearing Asics, her husband wears the Nova Blast 5s, and he suggested she try the women's version. She went to Dick's, tried them, loved them, and ordered her size and color.

"already wearing Asics. I had gotten a coupon and I bought a pair of 50 % off at. I can't believe I'm about to say this, at my local grocery store. And so I went with Asics. And the reason I chose the Asics Nova Blast is because my husband actually wears Nova Blast 5s. And he was like, well, if they have a female version of this, you should"

what happens when you buy shoes without researching first

answered

Ashley ended up happy with the Asics Nova Blast 5s, but immediately started wondering if there was an even better shoe — and found out she'd tried the wrong Brooks models the first time around.

"been very happy with them so far. But now that I've settled the urgency issue, I can't help but wonder if maybe there is even a better shoe. Since the time that I mentioned that I tried the Brooks shoes and hated them, I have found out that there are several other types of Brooks shoes that are apparently much better. people"

is it worth researching shoes before you actually need them

answered

Ashley says yes — because she's so hard on shoes, she wants to start looking now so the urgency scramble doesn't force another rushed decision next time.

"these again, I don't want the urgency factor to hit me next time like it did this time and me just make a choice based on the fact that I really, really need shoes. So I want to start looking now before this. issue comes up again"

how do you keep working out when you're traveling to a convention

open question

Ashley teases that she's already asked her instructor Rhonda to put together a custom fitness plan for the trip, and that episodes about working out on the road are coming — but the actual plan hasn't been revealed yet.

"so I actually asked her if she would put together a custom fitness plan for me for while I'm gone. And yeah, I'm anxious to hear what she comes up with. She's already told me that it's going to hurt and I believe her. So yeah, in the coming"

Setting expectations: This episode is not a shoe review with ratings, comparisons, or expert buying advice. It's Ashley catching listeners up on a hasty purchase she made under pressure — holes in her old shoes forced her hand — and explaining why she's already shopping for the next pair before this one wears out.

Tone & style

Ashley starts from her preference for thorough shoe research, gets forced into a rushed purchase when holes appear in her old shoes, lands on the Asics Nova Blast 5s via her husband's recommendation and a try-on at Dick's, and ends with the immediate problem solved but the search still open — she's already eyeing Brooks Ghost, Brooks Adrenaline, and Rikas for the next round.

Personal experience and casual observation. Ashley is reporting her own shoe-buying situation, not offering footwear expertise or fitness advice.

toneCasual & upbeat

focusAshley explains why she grabbed the Asics Nova Blast 5s in a pinch, why she's already looking at the next pair, and announces a Gen Con trip with her husband for their 20th anniversary.

stylecasual_chat

energymedium

complexitybeginner

pressure Levellow

emotional Texturelighthearted, enthusiastic, self-aware

Notable quotes

"up with. She's already told me that it's going to hurt and I believe her. So yeah, in the coming"

— Famous Ashley Grant

Episode transcript

Organized into 4 chapters — open any part to read the full text.

0:001. Why She Went With Asics Nova Blast 5sAshley explains the urgency that drove her shoe purchase — holes forming in her old shoes — and how her husband's recommendation led her to try and order the Asics Nova Blast 5s after Dick's didn't have her size and color in stock.2:542. Still Hunting: Why She's Already Looking at the Next PairAshley says she's happy with the Asics so far but is already researching future options — including Brooks Ghost and Brooks Adrenaline — because she knows she'll wear through shoes again and doesn't want to be caught in the same urgent scramble.5:103. Open Call for Shoe Recommendations and Brand PartnershipsAshley invites listeners to share their shoe recommendations and calls out footwear brands directly, saying she wants to do a full review series and is willing to be a guinea pig — including trying the Rikas she was told about.8:284. Gen Con Trip and Keeping Up Fitness While TravelingAshley announces she and her husband are going to Gen Con in Indianapolis for their 20th wedding anniversary, shares her love of board games and Firefly, and teases upcoming episodes about how she plans to keep working out on the road with a custom plan from her instructor Rhonda.

Open full transcript

Mentioned in this episode

productAsics Nova Blast 5s

The shoes Ashley ended up buying — chosen partly because her husband already wears them and recommended the female version after she tried them at Dick's.

companyAsics

The brand Ashley went with for her urgent shoe purchase, having already owned a pair she bought 50% off at a grocery store.

companyBrooks

A shoe brand Ashley had previously tried and disliked, but has since been told she tried the wrong models — listeners recommended the Ghost and Adrenaline instead.

productRikas

A shoe brand one listener told Ashley she should have gotten, saying they were created for women — Ashley says she's going to try them anyway.

companyDick's

The sporting goods store where Ashley and her husband went to try the Asics Nova Blast 5s in person, though they didn't have her size and color so she ordered online.

productBrooks Ghost

One of two Brooks models listeners told Ashley she should try — she also found an article calling it one of the best walking shoes ever.

productBrooks Adrenaline

The second Brooks model recommended to Ashley as a much better option than what she originally tried, also cited in an article as among the best walking shoes.

websitefamousashleygrant.com

Ashley's website where she directs listeners to leave shoe recommendations, voice notes, or feedback — specifically the /feedback and /fitness pages.

eventGen Con

The largest tabletop game convention in North America, held in Indianapolis, Indiana — Ashley and her husband are attending at the end of July to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

placeIndianapolis, Indiana

The city where Gen Con is held and where Ashley will be traveling at the end of July.

productFirefly

Ashley's favorite board game, based on the TV series she's obsessed with — she and her husband play it with the show running in the background.

productCards Against Humanity

Ashley's favorite card game, which she mentions as part of her broader love of board and card games.

productExploding Kittens

Ashley's second favorite card game, mentioned alongside Cards Against Humanity.

personRhonda

Ashley's group fitness instructor, who Ashley has asked to put together a custom fitness plan for while she's traveling — Rhonda has already warned her it's going to hurt.

Key themes

Urgency vs. research in shoe buying

Ashley bought the Asics Nova Blast 5s quickly because her old shoes had holes, skipping her usual thorough research process — something she's now trying to correct before the next pair wears out.

Being hard on footwear

Ashley describes a recurring pattern where holes form in the balls of her shoes, which she attributes to her arches or foot structure but has never had a podiatrist look at.

Husband's recommendation leading to the Asics pick

Ashley's husband wears the Nova Blast 5s and suggested she try the women's version, which she did at Dick's Sporting Goods and liked enough to order.

Already looking at the next pair

Even though she's happy with the Asics, Ashley is actively researching Brooks Ghost and Brooks Adrenaline now so she won't be caught scrambling when these shoes wear out.

Wanting to do a shoe review series

Ashley pitches the idea of trying multiple shoe brands as a guinea pig and calls on footwear companies to reach out, framing it as a way to cut through marketing hype and find out what's actually best.

Listener engagement and recommendations

Ashley directly asks listeners to share what shoes they wear and why, pointing them to her feedback page, and mentions one listener who already told her to try Rikas.

Gen Con trip as a 20th anniversary celebration

Ashley and her husband chose to attend Gen Con in Indianapolis for their 20th wedding anniversary because board games, Star Trek, Stargate, and Firefly are central to who they are as a couple.

Keeping up fitness while traveling

Ashley is already planning how to maintain her workouts on the road, including asking her instructor Rhonda to build a custom travel fitness plan, and intends to document it for listeners who are also traveling this summer.

Connected episodes

Shared experience

Asking listeners for shoe recommendations

#56But These Shoes! Finding the Right Workout Shoes for Low Impact Cardio, Zumba, and Everyday Wear

Shared experience

Maintaining fitness momentum while traveling

#63Your Fitness Doesn't Have to Take a Vacation When You Do

Shared experience

Preparing the right footwear

#74How I'm Prepping My Body (and My Bag) for Four Days of Walking at Gen Con