Mobility made possible.
Kelsey:
Mini Blade XT
Finding Freedom in Every Step:
Kelsey Koch on Life with the Mini Blade XT
For Kelsey Koch, movement isn’t just part of her daily routine; it’s part of her identity.
A golf coach, yoga instructor, recruiter, and teacher for students with special needs, Kelsey wears a lot of hats. But underneath it all, she’s a fiercely independent and active through-knee amputee who’s spent her life finding ways to do things on her terms.
"I was born without my left tibia. My leg was amputated at 11 months old, so I’ve never known life any other way, and I don’t take that for granted."
But life with a prosthesis hasn’t always been straightforward. Over the years, Kelsey has worn various legs, some better than others. “I used to wear a running blade every day, and while it gave me some freedom, it was also ruining my back,” she explains. “Without a heel, I couldn’t shift weight properly through that side. I was constantly overcompensating.”
That changed when she trialed the Blatchford Mini Blade XT in early 2025.
“I put the 'shoe' on and literally haven’t taken it off. For the first time in years, I feel even. Balanced. Free. Like I’m walking the way I’m supposed to.”
"The weight difference alone improved my gait overnight. I don’t feel like I’m being controlled by my leg anymore. I’m the one in charge."
The Mini Blade XT’s responsive heel spring and full-length carbon keel are designed to help users achieve a more symmetrical, natural gait. This is a massive shift for someone like Kelsey, who never let her size or medical history define her capabilities."
I’m 85 pounds soaking wet, with my leg on,” she laughs. “But I’ve always been notorious for breaking carbon fibre. I push everything to the limit.”
And that includes her prosthesis.
Fortunately, the Mini Blade XT is more than up to the task. Its carbon construction is tuned for lighter, active users like Kelsey, offering long-term durability without sacrificing flexibility. Whether she’s on the golf course, in the yoga studio or dashing between classes, the foot has kept up without complaint.
“I can work, run errands, coach golf, teach yoga all in the same foot. And I don’t even need to wear a shoe with it. That’s unheard of for me.”
The foot’s treaded sole and open-toe design make it ideal for barefoot activities — something that’s not only functional for Kelsey’s yoga practice, but also practical given her difficulty finding shoes that fit both her prosthetic and biological foot.
More importantly, the reduced weight and responsive design have given her back something she didn’t realise she’d lost... control.
“The weight difference alone improved my gait overnight. I don’t feel like I’m being controlled by my leg anymore. I’m the one in charge.”
That renewed confidence is about to be tested. Kelsey competes in adaptive golf through the USGA, and her first tournament of the year is just around the corner.
“This blade is in for the ride of its life,” she grins. “It’ll be with me in Port St. Lucie for my first competition of the season, and I’ve never felt more ready.”
The Mini Blade XT offers exceptional ground compliance and energy return, giving Kelsey a solid foundation for lateral movement and stability during swings, which is critical for golf. But Kelsey's biggest win has been how seamlessly the foot fits into every part of her life.
“I’ve worn a lot of legs over the years. This is the first one that actually feels like me,” she says. “It’s not just about walking better, it’s about living better. And this foot lets me do that.”
She credits her prosthetist, Chris Perry, for supporting her in trying new approaches, even when others were hesitant. "This field is so personal. You need a clinician who hears you, not just listens. I'm lucky Chris walked back into my life, meeting me exactly where I was and helping guide a light (leg) to a long tunnel."
Reflecting on everything she’s achieved and all that’s still ahead, Kelsey is optimistic, grateful, and energized by the possibilities.
"I'm just excited. I feel as if I have turned a corner physically. To move, compete, and show up for my students, clients and friends. And how about showing up for ourselves? This foot allows me do that, and I'm not looking back. The story has just begun!"
