World Pickleball Podcast x Laina Gossman (Soul Insole)
Most pickleball injuries do not begin with a single moment. They build gradually, often unnoticed, in the background of regular play. A tight heel after a long session. Calf strain that lingers into the next morning. Small discomforts that never feel serious until they are.
In the latest episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, we spoke to Laina Gossman, founder of Soul Insol, about the part of the body players rely on most but think about least: the feet.
This is not just about injury prevention. It is about how movement, balance, and performance all begin at ground level.
Key takeaways
- Most pickleball injuries begin as small, repeated stress in the feet that goes unnoticed during play.
- Support systems that preserve natural movement may be more effective than rigid correction tools.
- Foot stability has direct influence on balance, efficiency, and long-term performance.
The hidden foundation of pickleball movement
Pickleball places repeated demand on short bursts of movement. Quick acceleration, sudden stops, and constant directional change. Every action begins through the feet.
Laina Gossman explains that many common issues such as plantar fascia irritation, Achilles discomfort, and shin tightness often trace back to small structural imbalances that accumulate over time.
These are not always dramatic injuries. They are often micro-level stress responses that only become visible once recovery time is already needed.
Why returning players are most exposed
One of the most important insights from the conversation is the profile of many pickleball players. A large proportion are returning to sport after long periods of reduced activity.
In that transition, competitive intensity often returns faster than physical adaptation. The result is a mismatch between enthusiasm and structural readiness.
This is where early-stage injuries frequently appear, not in elite training environments, but in the first weeks of recreational return.
Soft support versus rigid correction
A central distinction in the discussion is between traditional hard orthotics and softer support systems.
Rigid devices tend to control structure directly. Softer systems aim to guide movement while maintaining natural shock absorption through the kinetic chain.
That difference matters in a sport like pickleball, where repetitive impact is constant and recovery windows are short.
Midway through the episode, we explored how this applies directly to on-court movement and recovery patterns.
Performance, not just pain management
Foot support is often discussed only in the context of injury. But Laina argues it also influences performance.
Better stability through the foot can affect balance on contact, energy transfer through movement, and fatigue levels over longer sessions.
Even small improvements in alignment can change how consistently a player moves across a match.
This is particularly relevant in competitive environments such as the World Pickleball Championship Series, where small margins define outcomes.
The delayed signal problem
One of the most consistent patterns in recreational sport is delayed feedback from the body.
Players often feel fine during play, only to experience discomfort the following day once movement stops and inflammation becomes more noticeable.
This delay can mask early warning signs, which is why many issues are only addressed once they have already developed into longer-term problems.
Beyond equipment: the role of awareness
Foot support is only part of the picture. Laina also emphasises the importance of maintaining foot strength and mobility through simple exercises.
This includes improving toe control, balance work, and rebuilding the connection between neural response and movement control.
Support without engagement can lead to dependency. The balance between the two is what drives long-term resilience.
Listen to the full conversation
The full interview with Laina Gossman is available on the World Pickleball Podcast, where we explore biomechanics, injury prevention, and how small changes in movement can reshape performance over time.
What comes next
We will also be tracking how these ideas translate into real-world play, with ongoing testing of Soul Insol products during competitive preparation for upcoming tournaments.
This includes feedback on comfort, movement stability, and recovery across training sessions.
Further Reading
- Latest pickleball news from around the world
- Tournament coverage and results
- Rankings and player profiles
- Regional pickleball coverage
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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