From Setback to Startup: How Reid Robinson Invented the X-Leg After 13 Surgeries

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when the product you need doesn't exist? Reid Robinson built it in his garage with a MIG welder, Home Depot aluminum and an IKEA cutting board. In this episode of the Unstoppable Success Podcast, host Jaclyn Strominger talks with Reid Robinson, inventor and founder of the X-Leg, a wearable, hands-free crutch alternative made in Calgary, Alberta. After a serious car accident and 13 surgeries, Reid struggled with crutches, tried the alternatives on the market, and built the first X-Leg himself between surgeries. Reid walks through the founder side of the story: searching the patent databases before filing, iterative engineering (build it, test it, find the problems, go back), designing for 52 size combinations, selling through his own website, and winning a local startup pitch competition that began with 52 companies. He also gets candid about the hard parts: why physiotherapy clinics and the healthcare system are slow to adopt a new device, why product awareness is his biggest challenge, and the clinical studies he hopes will lead to insurance coverage. Reid is careful to say he makes no medical claims until the clinical data is in. In this episode you will learn How a personal problem became a patented product Why Reid searched the patent databases before building, and what he asked himself when nothing existed How iterative engineering got the X-Leg to a version designed to fit about 95% of people Why healthcare is slow to adopt something new, and what 'standard of care' means for a new device What a pitch competition win changed: leaving IT to go full-time, marketing investment and higher-volume manufacturing Why product awareness is the hardest part of launching a physical product About Reid Robinson Reid Robinson is the inventor and founder of the X-Leg, a wearable, hands-free crutch alternative made in Calgary, Alberta. After a serious car accident and 13 surgeries, he built the first prototype himself, then spent years refining it into a product sold through xleg.ca. Links Website: https://xleg.ca YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_xleg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_xleg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopxleg Book a complimentary strategy session with Jaclyn: https://scheduler.zoom.us/jaclyn-strominger/book-a-connection Free 7-Day Relationship Capital Challenge: https://go.jaclynstrominger.com/7-day Support the show: https://podcast.jaclynstrominger.com/2614235/supporters/new Listen and follow: https://jaclynstrominger.com/podcast/#listen If this conversation helped, send it to one leader who needs to hear it today. Support the show Support the Show - subscriber and get a Unstoppable Success Badge@ If you are ready to become unstoppable and create real momentum, here is your next step: Book a private strategy call: Let’s map your next level of growth Book a Strategy Call Join the Unstoppable Success Community: Surround yourself with high-performing leaders and real conversations Skool Community: Unstoppable Success  Get the Book: Charting True North Stay connected and visible: Unstoppable Success Podcast Connect with Jaclyn on LinkedIn Become a Sponsor. Learn more!  Email: [email protected]