Olympic Gold Medalist Mo Farah on the run

Mo Farah is the UK’s greatest-ever distance runner. A double Olympic, European Athletics, and World Champion, he is focused on competing in distances over 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

Born of humble beginnings in Somalia, Farah moved to London at the age of eight and was spotted as a raw running talent by his elementary PE teacher. In 2012, he made history by winning both the 10,000-meter and 5,000-meter gold medals at the London Olympic Games—an accomplishment matched by only five other runners (and the first done by any athlete on home soil).

Farah, who trains and lives in Portland, OR, with his wife, Tania, and four young children, is prepping for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this summer.

This Nike athlete was also a visionary in the development of Nike Vision’s just-released Spring 2016 Nike Running Collection of sports sunwear. This high-performance, style-honed line employs aerodynamic, highly functional designs inspired by aeronautics and designed for athletes.

Here, Eyecare Business checks in with Olympic Gold Medalist Mo Farah in an exclusive interview to learn more about his career plans, fave running spots, best training meals, and his passion for excellence in sports vision.

» What, at the core, do you love most about running?

For me, personally, running is one of those sports that you get out of it what you put in. I love this because it applies to everyone in the sport and not just the athletes at the elite level.

» Favorite training location right now?

I am really enjoying my training out in Ethiopia. Often on my longer runs of around 18 miles, I will run in a large grass valley. The reason I love this location is because firstly, I am at 10,000 feet in altitude. Secondly, this particular grass valley is completely flat grass and stretches for over 20 miles.

However, I am also a big fan of my own treadmill back home in Portland.

» Typical training-day activities plus food intake?

The first thing I need when I wake up is a double-strong espresso to start the day. My morning run around 9 a.m. consists of about 10 to 12 miles, starting easy and working into a good pace, either around the Nike campus or on my treadmill at home. Breakfast after my run will normally be toast with Nutella followed by my second coffee of the day and a hydration drink.

After a short afternoon nap of an hour, I would head into Nike for my second run of 6 miles followed by a 90-minute gym session. While in the gym I would make sure to keep hydrated and drink throughout.

My evening meal, once home around 7 p.m., would consist of chicken breast, pasta, and a mix of vegetables.

» Running career plans plus goals in 2016?

To retain my two Olympic gold medals. I would love to have one gold Olympic medal for each of my children. Career plans: to continue to enjoy my running, inspire others, and potentially move to marathon in the future.

» Best recommendation for someone who wants to start running?

I think one of the best recommendations I can give to people starting out running is to try and be consistent and don’t over-cook the running in the first few weeks. If you can be consistent and introduce your runs weekly so that it almost becomes routine, you will find it a lot easier to complete your training.

» How do you enhance your performance with eyewear?

Luckily, being a Nike athlete enables me to have a wide range of sporting eyewear. Firstly, sunglasses protect my eyes from the dust and the sun while training here in Ethiopia. Secondly, a lighter lens makes my vision brighter on my evening runs when the sun starts to set. I also feel sunglasses have helped me in both races and training sessions when trying to channel my full focus and vision into my running.

KERRI WALSH JENNINGS
Pro Beach-Volleyball Player

Kerri Walsh Jennings is considered one of the greatest beach-volleyball players of all time. She and teammate Misty May-Treanor have secured their place in sports history by winning three straight Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, and 2012).

Married to fellow American pro beach-volleyball player Casey Jennings, Walsh is the mother of three young children. An Oakley athlete, she is also a well-known sports celebrity who has appeared on TV shows such as "CSI: Miami," and she hosts her own radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

EB caught up with Walsh to learn more about her 2016 career plans, fave beach court, and her ultimate needs in sports vision.

» What, at the core, do you love most about volleyball?

I love everything about volleyball. My fire and passion for the sport is strong, which is why I am still competing at the highest level.

» Favorite volleyball practice or competition locale right now? Why?

My home, Manhattan Beach, will always be at the top of my list, but I am really excited for the Summer Games at Copacabana. It is a true mecca of beach volleyball and is the perfect backdrop for the world to come together and compete.

» Pro volleyball plans for 2016?

Fighting for a gold medal—with my on-court partner, April Ross—for the best country in the world.

» Best recommendation for someone who wants to get started playing volleyball?

You will get dirty and the road will not always be easy, but keep at it and never give up.

» What are the unique visual needs and challenges of your sport?

In order to perform at the highest level, I rely on Oakley’s Prizm lens technology to equip me with a clear view on the court. Prizm dramatically enhances contrast and visibility, while adapting to the different lighting conditions that I face throughout a match.

ALANA BLANCHARD
Pro Surfer

Photo: Chris Cleary

Born on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Alana Rene Blanchard began surfing with her dad at the age of four. She began competing in surfing comps at nine and, since then, has surfed around the world, including on the ASP World Tour.

Blanchard is a friend of fellow surfer Bethany Hamilton—she was present when Hamilton suffered the shark attack that cost her an arm. Blanchard was played by actress Lorraine Nicholson in the 2011 film “Soul Surfer,” which chronicled Hamilton’s story.

Here, EB checks in with this SPY Optic ambassador to learn more about her passion for the ocean, fave surfing spots, and her sports vision needs.

» What do you love most about surfing?

The thing I love most about surfing is how happy it makes me feel. Being in the water in general is just an amazing feeling. Add in surfing and it’s the ultimate experience.

» Favorite surfing locale right now?

I will always love my home in Kauai the most, since it’s where my love of surfing began. I’m currently spending time in Australia and it’s becoming like a second home to me.

» Career plans for 2016?

I’m really focusing on filming more so I can put more female surfing content out there. There really aren’t too many girls putting out surfing edits right now, and I think our sport needs it.

» Best tip for someone who wants to try surfing?

Just have fun and don’t take it too seriously. It takes a little bit of getting used to because the ocean is always changing. Just be patient!

» What are the unique visual needs of your sport?

Some of the biggest challenges are being able to adapt to the conditions and also knowing everything isn’t going to be perfect every time.

» How do you protect your eyes + skin from the sun?

Being out in the sun so often can definitely be very damaging to your eyes and skin. I think eating a diet high in veggies and fruit plays a big role in protecting yourself. Also, SPY has its Happy Lens sunglasses that have helped to protect my eyes. They let in the good rays that can uplift your mood and increase alertness, but still keep out the bad UV rays.

JIMMY CHIN
Pro climber, mountaineer, director + photographer

Jimmy Chin clearly has no fear of heights. He’s one of the few people to have climbed and skied Mount Everest from the summit. In the pursuit of the perfect photo, he’s also made numerous first ascents of big walls and alpine towers in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan and the Garhwal Himalayas of Northern India.

Chin, a Revo ambassador, has also organized and led numerous expeditions to far-flung locales ranging from China and Pakistan to Nepal and Tibet to photograph and film the world’s best athletes for publications such as National Geographic. He has also directed and starred in the award-winning mountaineering documentary “Meru.”

Here, Eyecare Business sits down with Chin in an exclusive interview to learn more about his passion for the mountains, favorite climbing spot, and his visual needs for his work.

» What, at the core, do you love most about your work?

I am grateful to be able to work with and tell the stories of world-class athletes and the people I am inspired by.

» Favorite climbing locale right now?

Yosemite. Nothing is more humbling or more satisfying than climbing in the Valley.

» Favorite photography locale right now?

I always enjoy shooting in the mountains, but shooting street photography in London and NYC during my work travels has been a great creative outlet when most of my days are jammed with meetings.

» Career plans for 2016?

I am starting a new feature documentary.

» Best recommendation for someone who wants to get started in photography?

Work hard and enjoy the hard work.

» What are the unique visual needs of your profession?

Having great eyesight is certainly helpful, but beyond eyesight, you need vision—creative vision and resolve. Staying in shape and juggling the demands of a business is a major challenge for me. It requires discipline to make sure you get out in the mountains for yourself to reset. It’s also important to keep pushing your creative boundaries as a photographer and go out to shoot your personal projects.

» How do you enhance your performance with eyewear?

I need eyewear I can depend on, that gives me the best clarity, protects my eyes, and is reliably built.