The story behind G8 Performance: Meet founder David Lee

July 11, 2025

Built to Change the Way the World Moves

G8 Performance is redefining how people think about foot health —not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of movement, performance, and overall wellbeing.

Founded by David Lee, G8 Performance was created with a clear vision: to promote ongoing foot health and highlight the vital role of the feet in both sport and daily life. The mission? To reduce injury and support physical performance for everyone, whether you're a professional athlete, a casual rider, or someone who simply enjoys staying active.

From Pain to Performance: David Lee’s Journey

David Lee knows firsthand what it’s like to deal with chronic foot issues. Since his teenage years, he experienced persistent pain, numbness, calf cramps, and shin splints—challenges that only intensified during his time serving in the US Army.

In 2003, David began working and training alongside US Elite Special Forces. Across six military deployments, the strain on his feet and lower legs reached a breaking point. The combination of physical endurance, long hours on foot, and relentless pressure pushed his body beyond its limits.

After returning to Australia, David began searching for real solutions. He imported adjustable orthotic devices from the United States, but none delivered the lasting results he needed. So, he set out to design his own, marking the beginning of what would become G8 Performance.

The Vision Behind G8 Performance

Since entering the performance orthotic industry in 2010 and officially launching G8 Performance in 2012, David has remained committed to addressing the root causes of foot pain, rather than simply masking the symptoms.

Unlike custom orthotics and off-the-shelf insoles that offer short-term relief and eliminate all foot movement, G8 Performance is engineered to promote long-term foot health and structural support that extends beyond the feet to the knees, hips, and entire kinetic chain.

David’s mission goes beyond product development. He aims to shift how the industry thinks about foot mechanics, both in elite sports and everyday movement. At the heart of it all is a belief in high-quality, personalised service, and solutions that genuinely make a difference.

With a growing range of performance-focused designs, including adjustable and heat-moldable insoles, G8 Performance helps people address a wide range of issues, such as arch pain, heel pain, Achilles tendon tension, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and foot-related discomfort that radiates through the legs.

David’s long-term vision is to “bring podiatry to the people” by equipping more outlets and fitters with tools to prescribe tailored foot solutions, designed to work within the shoe, whether it’s built for cycling, sport, or everyday wear.

Today, G8 Performance insoles are trusted by customers across Australia, Europe, North America, Asia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Middle East. David continues to drive the business forward with empathy, innovation, and a deep commitment to helping people move pain-free.

The G8 Performance Approach to Movement and Performance

Feet are the foundation of human movement. When they’re strong, flexible, and supported, the entire body functions better. But most footwear restricts natural foot motion—compressing bones, blood vessels, and nerves, and limiting the foot’s ability to flex, splay, and stabilise.

At G8 Performance, we view foot health as essential to performance and wellbeing. Our insoles are designed to work with the foot’s natural mechanics, encouraging proper function even inside restrictive shoes. By reactivating muscles, stimulating nerve receptors, and restoring natural motion, G8 Performance helps the foot return to the active role it was built for.

Our insoles are engineered to work with the body, not against it. This biomechanical support helps increase proprioceptive feedback, maintain structural alignment, and reduce the return of force up the kinetic chain. The result? Improved balance, more efficient energy transfer, and a reduced risk of pain or overuse injury. Whether for sport or daily movement, G8 Performance insoles supports better motion from the ground up.

G8 Performance Pro Series 2620 and Ignite Insoles

Every foot is different, which is why G8 Performance offers two advanced insole models designed for complete customisation.

The Pro Series 2620 insoles are built for athletes and performance-driven individuals who need precision support and power transfer. With five arch heights and eleven placement positions, they deliver a tailored fit that adapts to your foot’s structure, flexibility and strength. The flexible arch system promotes blood flow, improves forefoot mobility, and relieves pressure on the heel—making it one of the best insoles for plantar fasciitis, endurance sport and long days on your feet.
The Ignite Custom Heat Moldable Orthotic insoles are ideal for those seeking personalised comfort and postural support. Featuring a cushioned heel pad, flexible forefoot and mouldable base, the Ignite insoles help align the foot and body through subtle but impactful correction.

Both models are engineered to mimic the natural biomechanics of the foot—delivering support, flexibility and stability exactly where it's needed.

What Makes G8 Performance Different

G8 Performance insoles are designed around a single principle: better movement starts with better foot function. Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, our insoles are built to work with your foot, encouraging strength, balance, and biomechanical efficiency from the ground up. Here’s how:

Forefoot activation: Our insoles support forefoot flexion to optimise energy transfer at impact. By promoting strength and stretch in the front of the foot, G8 Performance helps preserve bone structure and improve propulsion through every stride or pedal stroke.
Full-foot support: The Pro Series 2620 insoles is designed to support your foot throughout the entire gait cycle. Even during non-weight-bearing moments, key contact with the forefoot stimulates proprioception, helping you generate more forward momentum and power.
Customised fit for every foot: Our insoles are fully adjustable. The 2620s offer interchangeable arch heights and positions, while the Ignite can be heat moulded to create a supportive fit that matches your unique foot shape, flexibility and strength.
Dynamic arch technology: The flexible arch piece compresses and springs back in motion, encouraging blood flow and reducing numbness. It also reinforces the plantar region and helps maintain natural bone alignment—supporting long-term foot health and stability.

From preventing injury to enhancing everyday performance, G8 Performance delivers a level of personalisation and biomechanical support most insoles can’t match.

Explore the Pro Series 2620 and the Ignite insoles to find the model that fits your foot, your activity, and your goals. Your movement starts here.