1:47 Here is my comment you mentioned in the beginning:
(Pls pin this comment for all the other ppl who suffer from it)

Ben, I had the exact same achilles pain for over a year, hurts like 1000 little needles pushing right into the achilles right? Pretty sure it is insertional achilles tendonitis in your case aswell. This video helped me: James Dunne - If your Achilles tendonitis isn't healing... WATCH THIS NOW
Loading the tendon has helped me a lot, I combined it with eccentric calve exercises after a while. Of course I did other things on a regular basis too and still do all of this: foam rolling the calve and the arch, stretching the whole back chain like calves and hamstrings and butt. Eating a lot of healthy stuff, much protein, good carbs and fats, supplementing omega3 and vitamin d3+k2
Since then I added to my routine: Full body workouts to maintain my overall fitness and workouts focused on mobility and stability. Still Focusing on vegatables and fruits and high quality food in general, it speeds up recovery! I also stretch after every session, I'd really suggest that to everyone, way less soreness the next day! I exchanged my pre skateboarding coffee with a supplement which contains caffeine + theanine. The theanine counters the caffeine restlessness and gives you a calm focus - lower risk of injury during the session. I also stop when I feel I get too exhausted (wasn't able to do that for like 15 years, I'd just continue as long as I could skate)  - also lower risk of injury during the session. If you are injured, skate some cupsoles for a while and maybe get yourself some orthotic insoles if you can afford them. Over here in germany health insurance pays for it fortunately.

6 months ago I was doing a drywall project, hopped on youtube for some help, this guy told me how to drywall. Now I have a running injury, hop on youtube for help, and the same guy is telling me how to fix my achilles problem.

Never thought a skater would have better tips than a lot of health professionals .. very helpful I started yesterday w the exercises!

I have been suffering from bursitis and tendinitis for several years. I tried static exercises, and they work very well—Much better than eccentric training.
The benefit is almost immediate, whereas eccentric training used to cause me pain.
Now, after three weeks, my bursitis and morning pain have significantly decreased.
I can start building muscle again.
Thank you very much !
I’m going to keep at it

The percentage of tendonitis in some of us older dummies is probs huge

Very similar to my story. Been battling this for just over 2 years. I skate, but at around 70-80%. There was a long period of time where I couldn't pop any tricks - stuck to mini ramp, doing coping tricks, learning weird flatground tricks like 360 powerslides, switch manuals, fakie manuals etc. I'm 1 month into doing the "right" rehab exercises instead of the wrong ones that my PTs had me doing, and I seem to be headed in the right direction. Recently did my first kickflip in 9 months, woohoo!

The video "Aaron Lewis' Achilles Series - Insertional Heel Pain FULL" is the best one I've found that explains what exercies to do, what not to do, the science behind it, etc. Horns up to anyone who is going through this!! 🤘🖤

I had a similar injury that I messed around with for a while 4 years ago when I was 38, eventually I saw a great physiotherapist who noticed I had pronation in that foot. This is when your heel doesn’t rest flat on the floor on the inside. I now have a small foam wedge under my insole (only a few mm) and my issue has pretty much gone. I bought the foam from Amazon, cut them out myself and have them in all my shoes. Hope this helps someone as it was agony for ages for me. Us older skaters gotta look out for each other. Sick video ad always 🙌🙌🙌

Dude! Ben! It’s crazy how much you’ve improved my life. I’ve been a fan since the old skateboarding days, then years later stumbled onto your drywall videos, and now a few years later you’ve helped me crack what tf is going on with my Achilles. Thanks so much for your videos! Hope you and the family are well❤

Thank you. I'm not a skater but I've suffered with insertional Achilles tendinitis for years off & on. I was told to do stretches that only aggravated it. I couldn't even walk.
I'm going to do the exercise you suggested. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for this… I’m 46 and recently have had to take a few months off of skating due to this issue.  I start physical therapy next week and this video gave me some much needed hope.  Give thanks Ben

you really are the people’s champion

I did the same exercise to strengthen and stabilize my ankle.  The next progression is to do the same exercise on the flat/hard plastic side of a bosu ball.  This will create moderate instability underneath your foot causing the muscles to activate and fire in order to stabilize your foot and steady the bosu ball.  The first couple times may be tricky but eventually you will be able to do it for as long as you can on solid ground.

I'm a 49 year old sprinter. I have had it for a year mostly due to an accident at work. Sprinting didn't help. So I used Dr. Baar's isometric protocol and now I'm almost pain free and sprinting again. I even got out my board to skate a little! I'm happy you are better. If you have Achilles pain, it will get better if you address it.

This is very valuable information for me. Thanks, I now have a wxy forward to try after months of failure.

Your favourite role models favourite role model

same for me, insertional tendonitis, calf raises and stretches were worsening everything. Had to stop playing badminton (high level player, really stressful for your right foot / ankle). I also saw a video and the isometric exercise immediately got it better. Also stretching the back of my knee muscles helps (as it seems that these are ultra tight and also have an influence on the ankle mobility).

Super useful video for anyone going through this, plus just physical therapy on injuries in general

I had unbearable Achilles pain as well; mistakenly thought it was plantar fasciitis AND mistakenly thought I needed insoles with extreme arch support. Turns out, I talked with a skate-oriented insole company and they said with high arches I actually need FLAT insoles. Problem has improved dramatically since going with FP flat insoles with high density cushioning (not bouncy)

Love you big dog! You’re my virtual skate uncle. Glad you recovered!

Wow, I’ve been dealing with this while heavily playing basketball and just dealt with the pain. Skated one day and it sent my kicking foot into debilitating pain. It sent me into rabbit hole of finding a simple exercise. I’m gona do these religiously. Thank you so much!!!