The Story Behind the Pedal That Almost Didn’t Happen

If you’ve ever been frustrated, in pain, or questioning whether your body can keep up with your love for riding… then this email is for you.

Because I’ve been there too.

When I first set out to create the Catalyst Pedal, it wasn’t just about building a better pedal. It was about solving a problem that too many riders silently endure—foot pain, knee pain, lack of confidence, and worst of all, that creeping thought that maybe it’s time to hang up the bike.

I knew there had to be a better way. But getting the Catalyst Pedal into the world wasn’t easy.

First, I had to go against the grain. Every magazine, every bike shop, every “expert” told me that the traditional ball-of-the-foot pedaling position was the only way. And clipless pedals? Supposedly essential.

But as a strength coach and lifelong rider, I knew something wasn’t adding up. We would never tell someone to squat or deadlift while standing on their toes—so why were we pushing that position on the bike?

It made no biomechanical sense.

So I set out to create the first pedal that actually supports your whole foot—front to back—like the ground does during any real-world movement.

But once the pedal was built and tested, I ran headfirst into something else: resistance from the cycling world.

I got laughed at. Dismissed. Some people told me I was crazy. Others just ignored the pedals entirely.

Why? Because the Catalyst Pedal doesn’t just change your foot position—it challenges long-standing myths about how we’re supposed to pedal. And the industry doesn’t like being told it might be wrong.

But I stuck with it.

Because I wasn’t trying to win awards or prove anyone wrong—I just wanted to help riders who were hurting. Riders who were frustrated. Riders who were losing confidence or thinking about quitting the thing they loved most because of something as “simple” as a pedal.

I kept going for every rider who emailed me to say:

• “Your pedal saved my Achilles.”

• “I thought I was going to need surgery… but now I’m riding pain-free again.”

• “I’m in my 60s and thought I was done. But now I’m having fun again.”

Every time I read a message like that, it reminds me exactly why I pushed through the setbacks.

Because cycling is more than a hobby—it’s a lifeline for many of us.

It’s where we go to clear our heads, connect with nature, test our limits, and feel alive. And when pain starts getting in the way of that, it can be devastating.

That’s why I built the Catalyst Pedal. And that’s why I believe in it with every fiber of my being.

It’s not just about performance (though most riders do feel stronger and more stable). It’s about reclaiming comfort, confidence, and control on the bike.

I’ve heard from thousands of riders who said the Catalyst Pedal helped them keep riding—or start riding again—after everything else failed.

If you’re dealing with nagging foot, knee, or lower back pain…

If you’ve ever felt nervous about your footing on the pedals…

Or if you just want to feel more powerful, balanced, and in control on every ride…

I made this pedal for you.

And I’ll continue standing by it—no matter what the industry says—because riders like you deserve better.

Thanks for being part of the Catalyst Pedal Revolution.

Ride Strong,

James Wilson
Creator of the Catalyst Pedal
Pedaling Innovations