On a warm evening in Malibu, beneath twinkling lights and surrounded by lush greenery at Calamigos Ranch, ASICS brought together members of the Los Angeles running community for something beyond the usual miles, finish lines and personal records. It was an evening dedicated to the mind, the body and the simple yet increasingly overlooked act of movement.
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, the athletic brand hosted an intimate screening of its new short documentary titled “Human Nature,” a thought-provoking look at humanity’s increasingly sedentary existence and the profound relationship between physical activity and mental well-being.
For ASICS, the message is hardly new. In fact, it’s embedded in the brand’s DNA.
Derived from the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body,” ASICS has long championed the belief that physical movement and mental health are inseparable. While wellness has become a popular marketing conversation across industries, ASICS continues to demonstrate that its philosophy is more than a slogan.
“It’s the backbone of everything we do,” said Alexa of the ASICS communications team, explaining that the documentary was created to reinforce the importance of movement for both physical and mental well-being. “We can’t have one without the other.”
Developed by the ASICS global team and informed by the brand’s research into increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the documentary takes an unexpectedly entertaining approach to a serious subject.
Narrated by legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, the film unfolds much like a National Geographic wildlife documentary. Only instead of observing animals in their natural habitats, we’re watching ourselves.
Humans, once defined by their instinct to move, are portrayed in a modern state of near-hibernation. Glued to computer screens, dependent on technology and spending hours seated at desks, we’ve become remarkably comfortable doing very little. The familiar imagery is humorous at times, but the underlying message is difficult to ignore.
In a world designed for convenience, have we inadvertently engineered movement out of our lives?
It’s a clever and effective way to confront a growing problem without lecturing the audience. More importantly, the documentary offers a reminder that movement doesn’t have to mean running a marathon, joining a gym or chasing a personal best. It can begin with the simple decision to get up.
After the screening, author and meditation expert Megan Monahan guided guests through a brief but meaningful meditation. Surrounded by nature, we were encouraged to find our center, release the demands of the workday and disconnect from the constant stimulation of technology.
At one point, we collectively let out a loud scream.
It was unexpected, slightly amusing and wonderfully liberating. Among a gathering of runners accustomed to releasing stress through physical exertion, the exercise offered another form of release. For a few moments, there were no emails to answer, no deadlines to meet and no screens competing for our attention. Just a group of people being present.
The experience beautifully reinforced the evening’s central message: caring for the mind is just as important as caring for the body.
For those of us in the running community, that connection is particularly familiar. Running may begin as a physical pursuit, but its benefits often extend far beyond endurance, pace or distance.
“Running is so important for my mental health. It gives me clarity, it gives me confidence. It makes me feel like I can accomplish anything in my daily life and the world,” said Natalie Mitchell, MC for the Los Angeles Marathon. “I’ve been running my entire life and honestly it kind of defines me in a sense.”
That sentiment resonates with runners of every experience level. The road and trails can become a place to process difficult emotions, discover confidence, build resilience or simply find a moment of peace.
Yet ASICS is careful not to limit its philosophy to running alone.
“ASICS’ mantra is Sound Mind, Sound Body. It’s really important to the brand, to our athletes to really prioritize both of those things in all of the things that we do, whether it’s running, wrestling, playing volleyball, and really prioritizing the whole person,” said Hannah Sedgwick Shin of the ASICS sports marketing team.
With the 2027 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon approaching in March, Shin also offered a reminder to runners preparing for the months of training ahead.
“My advice for those who are training for ASICS Los Angeles Marathon is to really enjoy the journey. Think about that finish line that you’ll be at in March and really enjoy the process of getting there. Taking all of the small little steps that will eventually carry you to that finish line.”
It’s a fitting perspective, particularly in a culture that so often celebrates the accomplishment while overlooking the process.
There is something powerful about a brand that encourages people not simply to move faster or go farther, but to appreciate what movement gives them along the way… even if it’s for just 15 minutes on a manic Monday.
As the evening came to a close beneath the Malibu trees, the takeaway was refreshingly uncomplicated. We don’t need to become elite athletes to experience the mental benefits of movement. We simply need to make room for it in our lives.
Watch the doc here:
