Building Community One Rally at a Time
Trinh Mac, 57, lives in Huntington Beach, California, and picked up a paddle for the first time after the COVID lockdowns. Like many, she was craving connection—and pickleball delivered.
“We’re pretty social people,” she says. “One of our friends mentioned they were playing, and at first I was like, ‘What is pickleball?’ But we bought a starter set, played our first game, and we were instantly hooked.”
We’ve all been there—starting out with a wooden paddle, figuring out the kitchen rules, and slowly falling in love with the game. Then comes the moment you realize that better gear actually changes how you play.
What started as a spontaneous match turned into a Sunday morning tradition. Then three days a week. Today, Trinh plays with two different groups, rotating between morning and evening sessions depending on the season.
New Routines
For Trinh, pickleball is a lifestyle that brings people together. Her daughter discovered a pickleball club while at UCLA. Her husband, her son, her friends—they all play. “It’s a multigenerational sport,” she says. “And one of the only things where everyone can get out there together, no matter their age or skill level.”
She’s even dipped her toes into the tournament scene. “It was fun—but overwhelming!” she laughs. “You realize how much pressure changes how you play. I do so much better when it’s just for fun.”
Footwear That Protects What Matters
Trinh takes her health seriously. She attends regular physical therapy for fluid buildup in her knee—an issue unrelated to the sport, but one that impacts how she moves on the court. That’s what made her rethink her shoes.
“I used to just buy whatever brand was on sale,” she says. “But then I realized if I don’t have the right shoe, even one session can leave my knee feeling unstable.”
That’s when she found the XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe. Designed specifically for the demands of the sport, the XRZ™ immediately stood out. “The roomier toe box was a big plus,” Trinh says. “And the traction—so much better than anything I’d worn before. I felt more secure moving laterally and more balanced when reacting to quick shots.”
The benefits go deeper than comfort. Pickleball is a sport filled with sharp stops, pivots, and directional changes. It’s tough on the joints—and as outlined in an injury prevention blog, the wrong shoes can lead to serious issues like ankle rolls, knee strain, and chronic instability. The XRZ™ is engineered to help mitigate those risks through enhanced ground connection, lateral support, and a patented toe box that allows your toes to naturally stabilize movement.
As Trinh puts it:
“Footwear is everything. Your foot is connected to your knee, your hip—your whole body. It all starts with your feet.”
A Mindset That Lasts
For Trinh, longevity is the name of the game. “My goal is to be able to play again next week,” she says. “It’s something I try to remind myself when I feel like pushing through a little too hard. You have to respect your body.”
And that’s the advice she’d give to anyone stepping onto a pickleball court for the first time:
“Get the right gear—especially shoes. And listen to your body. You want to play again next week. That’s the goal.”
Give your game the foundation it deserves.
Shop the XRZ™ Pickleball Shoe →