When the most decorated 100-meter sprinter ever stepped to the line for a final time, she told herself what she knew: That she was prepared, powerful, and this race was hers — for her. The next handful of seconds were to honor everything that had brought her to this moment.Green, yellow, and black hair whipping behind her — a self-proclaimed “daughter of the soil,” who chose to wear the colors of her nation’s flag for her final finish —&nbsp;gold-hued nails splayed in front of her, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-celebrates-shelly-ann-fraser-pryce" target="_blank">Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce</a> exploded off the blocks in the World Athletics Championship final in a capacity-filled Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. She ended her 100-meter career in the same way she began racing 18 years ago in Japan — with fierce speed, strength, and composure. It was a bold tribute to Jamaica, the nation whose unyielding support has carried her through two decades at the top of the sport.In her decades of dominance — from becoming the first Caribbean woman to win Olympic gold in the 100-meters in 2008, to returning as World Champion in 2019 after giving birth to her son, Zyon — Shelly-Ann has embodied the power of duality.&nbsp;The ability to have longevity in track and field’s shortest, most intense discipline; exuding femininity and self-expression in a physically demanding sport; proving motherhood and greatness can coexist.What athletes everywhere, and especially young girls, can take from Shelly-Ann’s lead: The courage to run your own race, on your terms. To trust that setbacks don’t define you, only your response to them. And the assurance that, if you believe in yourself and work with discipline, harmony is possible. Dreams and family, career and legacy.For that, and the now 276 incredible races and finish line moments, thank you, Shelly-Ann.Below, go behind the scenes of the G.O.A.T.’s final meet days in Tokyo.

The shoes. The hair. The finish. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Shelly-Ann, a five-time world champion, ended her career her way.

Sofieke van Bilsen is a 29-year-old Dutch photographer with a passion for storytelling through imagery. She is in-house photographer to the German women's national football team, and was team photographer for the German Olympic Team in Paris 2024. She works closely with Nike athletes such as Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan.In her photography, she aims to create compelling visual narratives, focusing on the deep connection between emotion and athleticism. She strives to capture the raw moments behind the scenes, the untold stories of the journey,and everything in between, bringing the spirit of sports to life.Sofieke's personality creates instant connections with people, and she is loved by the athletes she works with. Her relaxed and enthusiastic personality complements an incredible skill level and ability to work in high pressure environments for athletes.

Sofieke van Bilsen

Photo Essay

Icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Ran Her Final 100 Meter On Her Terms

Over the course of his career, LeBron James has shared his passion for the game globally, partnering with Nike to travel throughout Greater China during his offseason, galvanizing a nation in its love for basketball and hoops culture. Just as LeBron’s career has evolved through different eras, his tours have represented different values over the many times he's visited since 2005. Below are some of his most memorable moments in the country.

2005-2009

LeBron began his debut tour in Beijing in August of 2005. He was invited to watch the awards ceremony of the Nike Battlegrounds tournament, but he’d depart as more than just a spectator. From the moment he stepped down in China, he believed his tour could become a cross-cultural exchange rooted in a shared love of hoops and a mission to inspire the next generation of young players in China. “Basketball is not only a sport, it's also a bridge that connects people," he said.&nbsp;“This is a great learning experience for everyone. I hope I can continue to help grow the game globally and inspire the youth in China to reach their dreams."

LeBron's legacy in China is woven into special China-specific iterations of his signature footwear. In 2007, LeBron James appeared alongside NIKE, Inc.'s then-President &amp; CEO Mark Parker to debut his Nike Zoom LeBron V "China" colorway.

LeBron returned to Beijing in 2009 after his MVP season where he enjoyed a hero's welcome. As part of his trip, he donated equipment and provided scholarships for the Zhenhua School, a school for the children of migrant workers in suburban Beijing.

To celebrate his season, LeBron was presented with an exclusive pair of the Nike Air Max LeBron VII, featuring a Shenyang-inspired design dubbed “Loyalty” created by the local artist Ray Lei, and a Shanghai-inspired design dubbed “Family,” created by the local artist Sic.

2011-2015

LeBron embraced his role as a global ambassador for the game, focusing on the opportunity to inspire China’s young players. In 2011, his tour expanded to eight days over four cities, promoting grassroots basketball through a series of skill clinics and tournaments.

In 2012, with a fresh gold medal to pair with his championship ring, LeBron James made a triumphant arrival in Beijing to kick off a four-day tour as part of the&nbsp;Find Your Greatness campaign. "Greatness is defined by how much you want to put into what you do," said LeBron. "Greatness comes with victory. It also comes with being able to come back from adversity."

In 2013, LeBron returned to China with plenty to celebrate: his second straight NBA championship and MVP awards for both the regular season and the Finals.

In 2014, LeBron James was the first mentor to announce the roster for the Nike RISE, designed to help players raise their competitive game and improve their skill.

In 2015, Nike RISE 2015 evolved with LED Courts and motion-tracking drills to create a pinnacle training experience, teach the fundamentals of basketball and push the boundaries of sports training.

An emotional finale saw four players chosen to represent China at the World Streetball Championships.

2016-2019

After winning another NBA title in 2016, LeBron entered Guangzhou to a massive championship parade, the streets flanked by tens of thousands of fans, many of them in Cavs #23 jerseys. It was a signal for just how widely James’ legacy had expanded throughout Asia.&nbsp;His More Than an Athlete campaign inspired young players to see basketball as one of many tools for affecting social change.

After a warm welcome from thousands of fans, he spent most of his time in Beijing working out with and coaching members of the Chinese Junior National basketball team.

Visiting primary schools throughout Beijing, LeBron shared his personal basketball experiences with young athletes, emphasizing the role that hard work, dedication and self-belief played in his path to success.

In 2018, the first day of his "More Than an Athlete" tour in Shanghai began with a panel discussion with students at the Shanghai Theatre&nbsp;Academy, and ended with a park shootaround. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the court to watch him play, hoping to catch a glimpse of the icon.

This month, LeBron flew to China for his "Forever King" tour, his 15th in the country and marking the 20th anniversary of tours in Asia. There, he joined some of the world’s most passionate hoopers and basketball fans, reiterating his commitment to giving back to the game across the world.

Over the course of his career, LeBron James has shared his passion for the game globally, partnering with Nike to travel throughout Greater China during his offseason, galvanizing a nation in its love for basketball and hoops culture.

Journey of an Icon: 20 Years of LeBron James in China

Hours of powering up steep ascents and navigating gnarly descents. Whipping mountain winds, glaring direct sun and biting evening temps. Getting mentally right with the fact that the next aid station is far, far away. Ultra trail running can sound like a grueling, relentless sport reserved for the wildest, most hardcore athletes among us.According to our <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-acg-all-conditions-racing-department" target="_blank">All Conditions Racing Department</a> runners — six of whom just conquered pinnacle UTMB races across the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, on trails spanning 15 to 174 kilometers, with elevation gains of 1,200 to nearly 10,000 meters — the grit, determination, joy and freedom trail running gives you is worth every ounce of work. See for yourself.

<h3>ROSS GOLLAN</h3>Race: ETC; 15km with 1,200m elevation gain Global finish rank: 29th

<h3>MARIE NIVET</h3>Race: Experience Trail Courmayeur (ETC); 15km with 1,200m elevation gain Global women’s finish rank: 7th

CESARE MAESTRIRace: ETC; 15km with 1,200m elevation gain Global finish rank: 2nd

<h3>BAPTISTE COATANTIEC</h3>Race: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB); 174km with nearly 10,000m elevation gain Global finish rank: 11th

<h3>ANTHONY COSTALES</h3>Race: Courmayeur – Champex – Chamonix (CCC); 101km with more than 6,050m elevation gain Global finish rank: 15th

<h3>DREW HOLMEN</h3>Race: CCC; 101km with more than 6,050m elevation gain Global finish rank: 3rd

Powering up steep ascents. Navigating gnarly descents. Whipping mountain winds. Ultra trail running is a relentless sport. But the payoff is well worth the grind.

Ultra Trail Running Can Take Everything You’ve Got — and Give You Even More

NExt volume

Born of need and elevated by expertise and diligence, today the Department of Nike Archives (DNA) cares for hundreds of thousands of artifacts and a limitless vault of connected stories.&nbsp;The brand archive began organically in the 1970s and officially became DNA in 2006. The department’s purpose is to both preserve and accelerate the ever-evolving and interconnected story of Nike. “Knowing who you are and the fights you’ve come through can do huge things for morale, inspiration, and creativity. That’s what DNA provides.” - Phil Knight

Department of Nike Archives

At the base of K2, the world’s second-highest peak, two American climbers sat among their gear, snow-streaked ridgelines rising behind them. Their faces were lean from 68 days on the mountain. Both wore yellow Nike Long Distance Vectors (LDVs) — one of the brand’s top long-distance running shoes at the time — which looked as battered as the climbers themselves. A picture was needed to mark the moment; one of the men raised a thumb toward the camera. The photograph, taken by mountaineering photographer Dianne Roberts in 1978, would go on to become one of Nike’s most unexpected origin stories.

An Unlikely Sponsorship

Months earlier, Nike had quietly supplied the expedition with those lightweight trainers, a last-minute gift meant for the 110-mile approach to basecamp. “A lot of it was off-trail,” recalled Rick Ridgeway, one of the climbers in the photo and a leading American alpinist of the era. “You can imagine they were pretty trashed by the time we got there.”In those years, most climbers relied on stiff leather boots built in Europe. The LDVs were the opposite: soft, breathable and fast. “They were just more flexible and more comfortable,” Ridgeway said. “What was really cool about those LDVs is that you need to hop around on rocks. This was a rough hike so you could boulder hop. They breathed better. They were functionally superior to the more rigid traditional trekking shoe.”

Internally, Nike referred to the model as the “Long Distance Vixie” because Eugene podiatrist Dennis Vixie made the last. Externally, it was known as the Long Distance Vector.At the time, Nike hadn’t yet stepped into the outdoor business — the shoes had simply been a goodwill gesture for the expedition. No one could have predicted that they would plant the seed for an entirely new category.

By the time the team descended, the fabric sneakers had nearly fallen apart. Ridgeway and Roskelley held them together with tape and glue for the long walk back to the roadhead. “Being up that high for that long without oxygen, it was hard,” Ridgeway remembered. “But we made it. And on the way out, we started talking about how the shoe could be modified to make it into a usable trekking shoe.”When they returned home, the climbers mailed their blown-out LDVs to Nike along with a short list of suggested improvements, including a tougher sole and more rugged upper, while still keeping the shoe lightweight and flexible. Those notes would help spark Nike’s first outdoor footwear line and, eventually, the category that became <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-reintroduces-acg-all-conditions-gear" target="_blank">All Conditions Gear</a> (ACG).

From Climb to Concept

Nike’s design team took the climbers’ feedback to heart. The field-worn LDVs had proven that lighter footwear could thrive where only heavy boots once ruled. The idea that “light is right” began to ripple through the brand’s ranks.By 1981, that thinking produced three shoes that merged the best of Nike running with durability for rough terrain: the Lava Dome, the Approach and the Magma. Nike’s first shoe to use a GORE-TEX lining; the design shape would later inform early thinking behind the Air Force 1. “It became very apparent that world-class athletes [were] going really lightweight,” recalled product manager Monte Mayko, who helped lead the project from Nike’s Exeter, New Hampshire factory. “It made total sense.”

Inspired by the K2 photograph and the climbers’ firsthand notes, the Nike team reimagined what a hiking shoe could be. The result was a category shift toward performance minimalism. “The whole notion of light is right and less is more and functional minimalism — climbers really get that at their core,” explained Kirk Richardson, a lifelong mountaineer who would later lead ACG. “Nike intuitively got it. Bowerman and Knight were absolutely right.” The new designs, built in Exeter and Saco, Maine, featured lightweight uppers, waffle soles and durable midsoles derived directly from Nike’s running heritage. For climbers and trail runners, they felt revolutionary: fast, flexible and protective enough to take the punishment of rock and scree. “Turning a training shoe into a trekking shoe. Nobody had done that,” Ridgeway later said. “It was kind of revolutionary.”

As those early designs hit the market, Ridgeway continued testing prototypes and corresponding with Nike designers. “They’d send me a prototype of the shoes to try out so I field tested them,” he recalled. One of those early ads — the first print campaign for Nike Outdoor — used Roberts’ K2 photograph of Ridgeway and Roskelley. The caption read: “Not everyone was willing to wait for our hiking boots."

The Big Ascent

By the mid-1980s, Nike’s outdoor experiments had evolved from one-off projects into a legitimate design philosophy. Yet without a unifying category, they remained scattered, a mix of hiking boots, trail runners and small-batch apparel experiments without a single name or purpose.That began to change in 1987 when a small internal team was tasked with formalizing Nike’s outdoor efforts. According to Tom Clarke, then vice president of product marketing, Nike had been talking about being in the outdoor business for some time and had a stable of avid outdoor people around product management.

The team saw an opening in a market dominated by European legacy brands still building heavy, rigid gear for mountaineering specialists. An opportunity to create athletic gear designed for movement in all conditions.Clarke, Richardson and a small team in Beaverton and Exeter began sketching out a strategy. Footwear and apparel would live under a single collection guided by four principles: high performance, durability, versatility and functional excellence. It was the beginning of a significant shift in performance outdoor footwear that would also make its way into apparel.The idea quickly gained traction. Within two years, a full outdoor business plan emerged.

The Name Takes Hold

Nike’s outdoor plan was coming together, but a fitting name was still missing. Around the same time, Nike Running had begun using the phrase “All Conditions Gear” for a small line of year-round performance apparel — gear designed to handle any weather. The overlap in philosophy caught the Outdoor team’s attention. When Clarke’s group discovered the term, they adopted it to define the new collection, a name that embodied Nike’s commitment to performance regardless of terrain or weather, echoing the same spirit that had driven Ridgeway and Roskelley’s K2 ascent a decade earlier.

By 1989, it became official. Under Richardson’s leadership, ACG launched as a fully integrated line of footwear and apparel designed for athletes who ran, hiked, climbed and explored outdoors.Nike made sure its debut felt authentic. The first catalog shoot took place at Castleton Tower in Moab, Utah, a notorious rock spire revered by climbers. “We wanted to position it as a pretty real brand,” said art director Ron Dumas. “We had these guys climb this tower and so we got in a helicopter. It was just about sunset and I was sitting on the rail holding onto the photographer and he’s hanging out of the helicopter. The tower was beautiful and these guys are just little dots on top. It was phenomenal.”

Released in 1989 as part of ACG’s inaugural product launch, the Huascaran jacket featured a nylon microfiber GORE-TEX shell.

Inspired by Mount Huascarán in Peru, its design included underarm gussets, double storm flaps, cargo pockets and a zip-in liner capability, reflecting ACG’s early focus on durable, all-conditions performance.

Additionally, the warm winter jacket was constructed with a Regulator-lined interior and a snap-off hood.

A decade after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Nike ACG marked the mountain’s irreversible transformation with a before-and-after patch showing a landscape changed forever. Instead of measuring height like other ACG “landmark” pieces, the jacket captured impact, memory and permanence.

Built as an insulation layer within ACG’s late-’80s systems approach, the Mount St. Helens Jacket used thick Polarfleece, ribbed cuffs and a reversible YKK zip to integrate seamlessly with outer shells. Technical and modular by design, it showed how storytelling and function came together in early ACG systems thinking.

This Kilimanjaro Anorak K2 was worn and autographed by climber John Roskelley, one of the two Americans photographed at K2 basecamp in LDVs whose trek later appeared in an early 1980s poster and in a 1989 ACG ad.

Built with two- and three-layer GORE-TEX and a nylon microfiber shell, the anorak included reinforced yokes, underarm gussets and multiple zip pockets, reflecting the technical design ethos that shaped ACG’s early years.

When the first ACG collection dropped that fall, anchored by the Air Wildwood, Lava High and a series of Gore-Tex and fleece outerwear pieces, Nike had officially staked its flag in the outdoor market.

The photograph of two climbers at the base of K2 had become something larger: the spark that ignited an entirely new dimension for Nike.

The wild moment that sparked Nike’s first outdoor footwear line and, eventually, the category that became All Conditions Gear.

History

The Birth of ACG: The Summit that Launched a Legacy

About Nike - Stories from Inside NIKE, Inc.

If golfer Tony Finau had to name his Flu Game moment, it was during the 2018 Masters. He had just sunk a hole-in-one on the par-3 course at Augusta National. He celebrated by taking off sprinting toward the hole, when improbably, he took an awkward step and dislocated his left ankle (fair warning for anyone who wants to look up the video: it was gnarly). In grimacing pain but undeterred, he popped his ankle back in place himself and resumed play, where he’d complete the week with a top 10 finish. Oh, and two months later, he’d make the final group at the US Open. And he’d qualify for his first Ryder Cup. All in a year when he could put barely any pressure on his left foot.Digging deep to test his physical limits is a signature quality of Finau, who joins Jordan Brand this month as the newest member of its Golf roster. You wouldn’t know any such challenge existed just by looking at him. The lithe 6’4” athlete has one of the most powerful drives on the pro tour, able to crush the ball at over 200 mph since he was 17 years old. He was recruited for hoops out of high school, and he descends from a proud lineage of skilled Tongan and Samoan athletes, particularly in football. When his personal calling to golf was too great to ignore, he worked as hard as possible to reach the sport’s top level, rolling the dice by auditioning for a reality TV golf show, then undergoing a brutal mini-tour schedule for years that forced him to travel at a ruthless pace across the country. Was it worth it? No question. Below, Finau talks about the twists his career has taken, his moments of greatest perseverance and all things drive.&nbsp; Certain career moments cause you to flip your definition of what winning means. Take that Masters in 2018. It was an incredible moment, that hole-in-one, followed by the most embarrassing moment of my life on national TV. Fast forward to the end of the tournament. I birdied six out of my last seven holes. I shot 66 that Sunday. Walking off the 72nd hole, I truly felt like I won. I felt like somebody should’ve given me the green jacket. In life, we’re going to fall down a lot more times than we’re going to win. But does that actually mean that we lost? I don’t look at it that way.

There’ll be windows of your life where you need to gut it out just to see what you’re really made of. I turned pro in 2007, but I didn’t get onto the PGA Tour until 2013, so there was a six-year period where I had to tough it out on the Mini-Tour life and learn how to play the game, travel and take the small wins where I could. On the Mini-Tour, you’re fighting for every dollar, your literal livelihood. There were plenty of nights I slept in my car and I went without eating just so I could scrape by. Those were some of the hardest years of my life, but also some of the greatest, because I learned what I can become with a little bit of sacrifice.&nbsp;Individual sports demand a certain kind of passion. In a sport like golf, you don’t have any teammates to lean on. It’s just you out there. Some people have a hard time without that team component, but when I started golfing at a young age, I found I really enjoyed the game’s individual aspects. It was on me to figure it out, to piece together the ways I could improve. When I got on the golf course, it was a matter of locking in and learning how to focus.Composure has nothing to do with your athletic skill but has everything to do with the life of an athlete. My brother and I went on The Big Break, a reality TV competition on the Golf Channel, in 2009. I was 20 years old at the time. We were around the camera 24/7. Everywhere we went, they were recording us. It was crazy, and it took some getting used to, but I remember leaving that experience and telling myself, “You’re going to be a great golfer. This media exposure is how it’s going to be if you turn pro.” Being on the show got me to the point where it didn’t really matter who was watching me. I just needed to stay focused and play my game.&nbsp;Sport was only part of my family’s background. Being Polynesian, my mom had a luau show as I was growing up, so I learned how to play a lot of different instruments as a performer in her show. One of the first instruments I learned was the to’ere, which is like a Tahitian drum. I also did traditional Polynesian fire dancing as a kid. Music and dancing were as core to my identity as sport was.&nbsp;It’s easy to be an on- and off-switch person. But greatness means being your best at all times of the day, not just when it’s convenient. My mom used to tell me, “The way you do one thing is the way you do all things.” Golf is just one example. Trying to be great at a game that’s impossibly hard, a game you can’t perfect, doesn’t mean that you stop trying. You keep trying to reach for more out of yourself. I’m trying to be great in all aspects of my life, whether that’s on the course, in the gym, being a husband, being a father. I’m trying to push past my own limits in all aspects of my life.&nbsp;

Golfers tend to be pretty superstitious people. One of my rituals is that I wear green every Sunday. My mom, she passed away in 2011 — her favorite color was green. Wearing green is a way I like to honor her, a way to remember she’s with me all the time on the course.&nbsp;Joining the Jordan Brand marks a new chapter in my career. Obviously Michael represents excellence at the highest level. Jordan Brand is incredible to be a part of and Michael is an incredible individual to represent. I met him for the first time when I was 17, and during the times I’ve played at his private course in Florida, The Grove, he’s always told me, “Anytime you’re in this area, you’re welcome here.” So in 2024, I’m playing a playoff event. I know I’m going to be in West Palm after the playoffs, for a shoot I was doing with one of my sponsors. My son was with me on the trip, and the thought crossed my mind, “It would be the coolest thing on Earth if I could bring my son to play The Grove.” I texted Michael on a whim and asked him. He got back to me 30 seconds later: “We’re actually closed for the weekend, but I’ll open the course just for you and your son. Please bring him and we’ll make it happen.” We played 18 holes that day and had the entire course to ourselves, just me and my son. That single experience is something I’ll never forget. That’s the effect Michael has on people. You can download more images as well as an accompanying film welcoming Finau to the Jordan Brand family by clicking <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://media-assets.nike.com/en/pitches/jordan-brand-welcomes-tony-finau-to-its-golf-roster?secret=29e440c91211da0d9af84d3e374afd15" target="_blank">here</a>.

The pro golfer and newest member of the Jordan Brand Golf roster has never backed down from a challenge.

For The Win

For Tony Finau, Going the Distance is a Mindset

While most of us got through middle school trying to blend in, Jane Hedengren remembers wanting to leave her mark: Breaking her school’s record in the mile. She was 12 years old, new to organized track, and intent on sealing the record by the end of the school year. Her father John took her to a college track on a cold fall afternoon for 400-meter repeats to test her capacity. She was trying and failing to hit her splits. That’s when John, a former runner at Brigham Young University (BYU), joined her for the workout, cutting through the chilly, high desert air, pulling up the pace but staying near enough to encourage Jane as she willed herself forward. She’d eventually hit those splits, and she’d later break her school’s record that spring.&nbsp;Now out of high school, Jane Hedengren has established herself as one of the most accomplished amateur distance runners in American history. She arguably had the most dominant high school season ever in 2024, male or female, breaking nine high school records spanning the mile to the 5K. She’d be the first to say that she hasn’t accomplished these feats alone.&nbsp;Along with her family’s support, Jane’s teammates include those coaches and runners from the Nike Elite Program, which invites 40 of the nation’s top runners to experience the comprehensive training tools provided by Nike coaches all year long, culminating in some of the nation’s preeminent meets during the cross-country, indoor and outdoor seasons. All seasons in which Jane dominated.Here, in her own words, she speaks to how that support has set her up for a professional running future — and starting her own collegiate running career at BYU in the fall.

The indoor and outdoor seasons give you many opportunities to prove yourself. Nike Indoor Nationals this year was special, because I was able to run the 5k for the first time on the track. I had to put myself out there.Good coaches can turn a phrase and get you motivated. During that Nike Indoor Nationals meet, one of my coaches from the Nike Elite program, Juli Benson, told me, “I know you’re in a good spot. Let’s see if you’re in a great spot.” Then it was like the lesson my dad taught me: You’ll see once you’re in that last 2K of the race. I was able to close out hard. A lot of good stuff can come from having an open mind and getting the most out of yourself.&nbsp;This year was a season of firsts. Last fall was my first time at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/nike-cross-nationals-2024-official-images" target="null">Nike Cross Nationals</a>. It was really exciting to feel as fresh as I did on race day. The field was strong, so I wanted to stay patient, because the course with the weather conditions can be unforgiving. I kept steady early on and maintained my pace. It’s special to finish a race and not expect that level of performance out of yourself.

I love how running has different disciplines within it. Cross country and track are special in their own right, and they’re so different. I love how the competition of cross country takes place in this long, tough terrain. It embodies what running is all about: Being out in nature, competing with other runners. Track is really fun for me. It’s a bit quicker, and competition also plays a role, but there’s a certain thing to be said about trying to hit certain times. You’re also able to use a variety of distances as a guardrail to monitor how you’re feeling.&nbsp;Your performances aren’t the only part of your racing that evolves. Your training changes, too. Strength training has been a big part of my development process. Early on, I was running around 30 miles a week, doing some light workouts here and there with some cross training. As the years have gone on, I’ve upped the intensity and volume. This last season, I was doing up to 55 miles a week while doing more intense workouts and feeling good and strong. I think I realized I had a talent probably right around my sophomore year of high school. I had been working and staying more consistent. Plus, no matter how I performed, I always had a love for running. I loved the freedom it afforded me. I could get away from my life’s stresses and have this thing I could work toward and use to discover more about myself. That happened as soon as I started running, and it’s evolved as I’ve gotten older and have been more in touch with the sport.&nbsp;

You can always find a new challenge to overcome as you get older. I’m really excited for this next chapter with BYU. I’m open to trying new distances, racing against different competition. I want to try it all. It’s great that college isn’t just a one-off experience. You learn these lessons over time. I'll have time to get a hold of things, find my rhythm and routine, get to know my teammates, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/women-running-culture-mumbai-india-nike-after-dark-tour" target="null">Coach Diljeet Taylor</a> and the other staff.&nbsp;I’ve been really careful about thinking too far ahead. People will ask me about aspirations like medaling in the Olympics or finding a prominence on the world stage. Those goals are incredible, obviously, and I’m working toward them, but the truth is, I don’t know where I’ll be in a few years. What I can focus on right now is keeping myself healthy, enjoying the sport and loving those around me.&nbsp;I’m taking things one step at a time.&nbsp;

Proving her talent across Nike’s cross country, indoor and outdoor championships, Hedengren finished her high school career as one of the most accomplished middle- and long-distance runners of all time.

How I Got Here

Indoors and Out, Runner Jane Hedengren is Rewriting History

Think <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/jordan-brand-luka-4-official-images" target="_blank">Luka Dončić</a>, and your mental picture is likely his signature step-back jumper. The unthinkable passes that land perfectly in the hands of his teammates. The creativity under pressure and borderline court omniscience that cause endless headaches for his opponents.You likely know Luka as a fierce competitor who brings a trademark tenacity to each play. A generational talent, fueled by an expert basketball IQ. A force to be reckoned with, owning every possession and controlling the pace of the game.But Luka, a consummate hooper, also contains multitudes off the court. He loves the serenity of the ocean and grilling a good cut of beef. He’s <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@espn/video/7467995779832024362?lang=en" target="null">as comfortable gaming</a> as he is driving to the hoop for a Euro step, and if he weren’t on the hardwood, he’d choose running point on the gridiron. Above all else, he’s incredibly proud of his 1-year-old daughter, Gabriela, whom he considers his greatest inspiration.Here, Luka shares more about his passions away from the game and how they make him a better player, when he knew he was living his childhood dream, and the crossover skill between two of his favorite pastimes, fishing and basketball.Getting out on the water is one of my favorite things. My father had some small boats when I was young, and we started going out together when I was maybe 7 years old. Today, renting a boat reminds me of my childhood: I love being on the ocean, just relaxing, driving the boat and getting some sun.I enjoy the peace of the ocean — there’s so much space and nothing more important than appreciating the views and catching some fish. The last time I was in Mexico I caught a marlin. That was an amazing moment. Probably the coolest thing I’ve ever caught was a little shark. Once I had a very big fish on the line, battling for seven to 10 minutes, but it escaped right under the boat — a definite disappointment.Fishing betters my game and basketball betters my fishing because they both require an essential skill: patience. Mostly, I like to fish to get out on the water, relax and enjoy the sun. But fishing is a reminder of the patience that’s required in basketball and in life. You need patience no matter what.

My mentality away from the game is much more relaxed. I think off the court I’m more chill — staying home, enjoying time outside, not talking too much. On the court, I like to talk more and be aggressive; it’s&nbsp;working hard and having fun.I was born with an intense competitive drive. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been competitive in almost everything I do. That’s why it’s important for me to compete hard on the court and then to recharge with other hobbies and have time with my family and friends.If I had to pick a position in another sport I’d love to play quarterback. When I was younger, I played a lot of sports. Basketball was obviously my favorite, and I played outdoors almost every day after school. I also tried tennis and soccer —&nbsp;just being outdoors was fun for me. I’ve since really grown to like American football, and I have a strong arm and great vision, so I think I could QB pretty well.When I’m not training or competing, I like to go out and grill, usually a good steak and some corn. I normally cook out when it’s sunny, which helps me relax with my family and recharge for my training and busy schedule during the season.My daughter brings me the most pride of anything in the world. She’s my greatest supporter in life, even if she doesn’t know it yet. That drives me every day. She’s 15 months old, and I love spending time with her and playing with her.I remember when I realized I was living my childhood dream. I left my home when I was 12 years old to go alone and play for Real Madrid. I was just settling in during my first year with the team. But in my second year, I started to come into my own. Playing for the best basketball club in Europe, that’s how I knew I was making my dreams a reality.I don’t usually get nervous before games. But when I do feel some nerves, like before my first home game with the Lakers, I tell myself to remember that I’m good at what I do — I just need to go through my routine and do what I do best.The best advice I return to is simple: Have fun, especially on the basketball court. When something doesn’t go as planned, I just remember: “You’ve been doing this your whole life. You know how to do it. Go out there and have fun.”

The Los Angeles Lakers guard goes deep on fishing, grilling and the secret to staying sane on the court.

Luka Dončić Is More Than Just One of the Best Players in the League

Five games into his professional career, on his third straight road game, Victor Wembanyama was already at home in the NBA. He scored 38 points, grabbed 10 boards and put up two blocks by the end of the night. At season’s end, he’d average nearly four blocks a game, leading the league.&nbsp;Victor is all unreal numbers. The 20-year-old’s&nbsp;7’4” frame swallows every square inch of the court. Offensively, he’s fluid and mobile. Defensively, he’s a one-man zone, able to turn away opposing fast breaks through his size and his stare. Evaluating rookies in the NBA is usually a challenge of evaluating their floor. At a minimum, what can this player become? He entered the league, and instantly, the question was how high his ceiling might be — or whether there was one.&nbsp;Here, Victor answers our questions on what it takes to win — from transcending his own limits to banishing fear from his life. I knew from an early age the kind of professional I wanted to be. There’s a lot of things we have to do as pro athletes that people in other jobs don’t need to worry about, like getting enough sleep after you play a back-to-back and fly to a different time zone. I decided I need to get better sleep. When I start my dinnertime meal, my alarm for the next morning is already set on my phone, and I’m not going to use my phone for the rest of the night.&nbsp;I’m lucky in that I can say I’m competing for multiple places. Wearing the France national jersey is one of the strongest feelings I know. In the NBA, I’m attached to the city of San Antonio. I’m a part of it. They’ve welcomed me.&nbsp;

All my life I’ve been much taller than everyone on the court. So, when coaches saw me doing dribbles through the legs and doing fadeways and stuff, their first reflex was to tell me not to do it. All my life there’s been this pressure to put me in a box. It’s been the toughest battle I’ve fought my whole life. Now, I do have more freedom than before, but I'm convinced that my freedom wouldn't be here without my efforts to go against those stereotypes.Here's what I’d tell any kid who’s struggling with something:&nbsp;When I was 12 years old, I went through a discouraging period. I was having trouble with my shot during my games. I obviously was growing a lot at that time, and I was even skinner than I am now, so I had trouble getting my shot off consistently against defenders. My coach told me, ‘When you’re a professional, you’ll be working on the present. But right now, you’re working for the future.”&nbsp;Seeing a kid wear my jersey is special. Any time I catch highlights of our games, I like watching the reactions in the stands, and you naturally see the kids who are wearing your jersey. It’s not the first thing you think about when you become an NBA player, but you realize you can positively influence the next generation through something you love. It’s beautiful.&nbsp;It really saddens me when I see a lack of ambition from people. Usually, it comes from being scared and thinking ‘I’m not enough.’ Assuming that things are too big or too ambitious are things I’ve decided to banish from my life.At the end of the day, it’s on you to define what your goals are in life, what you want to become. Winning is accomplishing those things that matter most to you.&nbsp;

I want to help create a new era of dominance for French basketball. That involves promoting the sport and making it more popular in the country for our youth. For professional basketball in France, I think our potential doesn’t match our current investment. How can we improve our facilities? How can we train the best staff? We just need to match our potential and foster our pool of talent that’s already here. France has the brightest future of any country in the world for basketball.Someone asked me how I make sure my name doesn’t grow bigger than the Spurs organization. That will never happen. The team wants me to succeed and be the best I can be. They’ve made a lot of sacrifices for me. I want the whole organization to know how much I understand all that they’ve done. Sometimes it’s a little thing, like sending a text or welcoming someone new to the organization. I try to show people their worth in all they do. I’m not scared to grow bigger than them, because I want to make the Spurs as big as I can. I want to give back to them as much as possible.&nbsp;I don’t think anyone could have a higher expectation for me than I have for myself. So, it’s really no big deal when I hear people call me a once-in-a-generation player. The only people to whom I have something to prove is my coach and my team. Even my parents don’t have expectations for me, they just want me to be happy. When I don’t want to see all that pressure, I turn off my phone. It’s simple as that, but there’s really no pressure or expectations. I never felt like I had something to owe to the world. I’m just playing basketball.

The 20-year-old phenom speaks to transcending his own limits, banishing fear from his life, turning off his phone and more.

The Legend of Victor Wembanyama is Growing

If there was ever a moment that showed <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-sabrina-2-official-images-sabrina-ionescu" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sabrina Ionescu</a>’s ability to see the game differently than the rest of the world, it was on November 9, 2019, when her Oregon Ducks played an exhibition game against the greatest dynasty in sport: The USA Women’s National team. The night before the game, Ionescu texted her teammates. We have nothing to lose, she encouraged them. Go out and play our way. Don’t let another team come to our home floor and dictate our system. This was in response to an opponent that hadn’t lost to a college team in 20 years, longer than some of Sabrina’s teammates had been alive.&nbsp;But where other players saw crushing odds, Sabrina saw opportunity. She would lead her team to an improbable victory, 93-86, posting a 30-7-4 statline. Defeating a global powerhouse. Securing college basketball’s triple-double crown. Becoming a No.1 draft pick in the WNBA. Helping lead the New York Liberty to its first Finals appearance in over two decades. Every time Ionescu sees an obstacle, she sees right past it.&nbsp;Ionescu’s ability to process the game at an elite level results from a lifetime of dedication to her craft. For her, perfection is found in the smallest of details: the angle of the foot during a jab step, the arc of a stepback jumper, the spin on a crosscourt bounce pass to a teammate. To see what she sees, we asked Sabrina to share about her focus and determination and her pursuit of excellence.&nbsp;&nbsp; ﻿Craft is a lot bigger than what’s seen in a stat sheet or on the scoreboard. It’s about mastering a process, not necessarily just one aspect of a game, or one technique. When you master a process for how you see improvement — maybe its scoring, maybe its facilitating for your teammates, maybe it’s doing the little things — you end up encompassing everything on the court.&nbsp;Mentally, practice is sometimes more exhausting than a game. In practice, I try to put myself in specific moments and situations over and over again. Whether it’s where a defender would be or a buzzer-beater shot, I'm always using my imagination to create situations when I'll be under pressure. And that takes a lot of work. But if I’ve put in the mental preparation, the work in practice actually sets me free during games, because I’ve already lived that moment in my head.&nbsp;The offseason is the time to work on those aspects of your game that you want to elevate. I’ve worked a lot out of one-on-one situations lately.&nbsp;I know I’m a great passer, but I think finding ways to create space on my own and not needing a screen or needing my teammates to get me open is a next step for my game. I’ve also focused on being able to attack downhill and make decisions and finish around the rim.

Competitiveness has always been one of my superpowers. I’ve always been a competitive and intense kid. I used to fight with my brothers all the time during games growing up. The older I’ve gotten, the better I’ve been able to harness my desire to win and use it for my advantage.&nbsp;Not everyone has the same driving force for success. I became a better leader when I realized that some people are more competitive than others and have different desires. For me, that realization hit in middle school. I saw that some of my teammates were just playing for fun, or to see if they liked the game. But I knew I still had to relate to them for our team to be the best it could be. And that meant knowing that not everyone is motivated the same way I am. I had to learn to accept that. Now, I’m on a team that demands excellence from one another, and we hold each other accountable. Everyone in my circle is aligned to the same goals I have. Second place isn’t an option.In college, I loved being able to help put a program on the map. I had the opportunity to go anywhere in the country I wanted coming out of high school, but I wanted to go to a program that wasn’t as established yet, because I knew the reward would be greater. We sold out almost every game my senior season, and we were competing for a national championship.The coaches who know you the best are often able to push you the hardest. I had the same coach from fourth grade to my senior year of high school. He coached me harder than I think he ever coached anybody else. If my jersey wasn't tucked right, if my socks were different heights, if my shoelaces were tied differently, I was running laps. He would act like I was putting myself above the team, but he was really showing me how I needed to act as a leader and how I need to be pushed. The higher up you want to go, the higher up you want to be, the higher the expectations.

I’d tell my younger self to have a kind of tunnel vision for her process. What that means to me is to focus on your own journey, rather than allow someone else to tell you what you can or can’t be. While I think I did a good job of that, but when I was drafted first overall and turned pro, I could feel a different pressure to speed up the process and succeed. I wish I would’ve reminded myself more to keep my tunnel vision, no matter what.&nbsp;As a player, you remember the people who saw the potential that was within you. I don’t just want to prove people wrong who doubted me. I want to prove people right who believed in me.&nbsp;

The all-star guard on her incredible focus and determination, and her relentless pursuit of excellence.

How Sabrina Ionescu Sees the Game

<h3>In 2011, Faith Kipyegon walked the grounds at Unhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya, the wind tossing the long grass in her path. She was 16 years old and competing in the junior division of the Kenyan National Cross Country Championships, recognized as one of the most competitive races in the world, a 6-kilometer sprint over rough, hilly terrain through Kenya’s Rift Valley. After checking out the race course on a leisurely walk, the only variable that mattered to Faith was, poetically, the matter under her feet. “I took one look at the texture of the grass, how soft it was, and I told my coach ‘I’m not going to use my spikes today. I’m going to win barefoot,’” she says. And she did.</h3><h3>In some ways, Faith Kipyegon, now 30, still describes herself as that same, barefooted young runner who believed she could go the distance. Her performance in Paris this summer secured her place in track lore as the only runner, man or woman, to win three back-to-back gold medals in the 1,500 meter. Her 2023 campaign, when she set world records in the 1,500m, the mile, and the 5,000m, is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in the history of track and field. In other ways, her identity as a runner has fundamentally changed, particularly since the 2018 addition of her very junior training partner, her daughter Alyn.&nbsp;</h3><h3>Here, Faith shares more on her dominant career, the intersection of motherhood and running identity, the one thing Alyn needs after a victory by her mother, and more.&nbsp;</h3> Running barefoot has always felt comfortable to me. When I started running competitively at 14, I was given spikes to wear for the first time. I was happy to have them, but feeling as comfortable in spikes as I was while running barefoot took a long time. I even turned down wearing spikes a few times. Now, I still can’t believe how I’m running in the fastest spikes on the planet.Running is a shared childhood experience in Kenya. I grew up in a small village called Ndababit, in Nakuru country, about 140 miles west of Nairobi. From the time I was in preschool, we’d run four kilometers to school, run back home for lunch, run back to school, and then run four kilometers home, every day through the 8th grade.When young runners from the next generation watch me compete, I want them to see freedom — the freedom to challenge themselves in new ways. My 2024 season was beautiful. I was thankful for competing in the 5,000m in Paris and the 1,500m, which happened a few days later. But when I held that silver medal from the 5,000m, I thought to myself, “I can’t let this disturb my 1,500 dreams.” So I put that silver medal away. I had to be mentally strong to achieve my goal in the 1,500m.Motherhood gives me life as a runner. I’ve gotten extra energy from being a mother to Alyn. She sees how committed I am, how hard I work. During the season, she understands that I go to training camp from Monday to Saturday, and then I go back home, only to spend one day with her. It’s really not easy, but she understands the sacrifices I’m making. She motivates me to work as hard as I can.I talk to my daughter before every race. She normally says the same thing to me: She wishes me all the best, and she asks me to bring chocolate back home — and the gold medal.

Motherhood can affect how you see your running career. My approach to Rio, Tokyo and Paris were all totally different. My first gold medal in Rio, I was 22, so young. I was still running for myself. In Tokyo, I had my daughter around me, but she was only three years old, and she couldn’t fully understand what I was doing. She was watching me and going, “Mommy’s running,” not, “Mommy’s running for a gold medal.”&nbsp;In Paris, she knows what it’s like when I win, but she also knows what it’s like when I lose. After the 5,000 in Paris, she called me and asked, “Mom, why were you in position two this time? What happened?” It’s very difficult to explain to a child what happened in a race while still being a role model to her. It’s totally different from Rio. Today, I’m running to inspire my daughter and other young girls like her.All athletes have something that exists outside their comfort zone. For me, that’s swimming. I remember in 2011 when I was in Punta Umbria for the youth international cross country championships. I met with my team at one of the local lakes to celebrate. I looked down at the water, believing it was this shallow pool. I jumped in. The next thing I knew, the water was up to my ears, and I couldn’t hear anything. Swimming is the one thing I wish I was better at.When I reach the end of my career, I want to be known for empowering all women, and especially new mothers. It’s possible to be a mother, go on maternity leave, and come back even stronger than before. Being a mother is not the end of your career. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.

The middle-distance champion on her dominant career, the intersection of motherhood and running identity, and more.

How Faith Kipyegon Empowers Herself — and All Women Runners

<h3>Any conversation about women in golf inevitably includes Michelle Wie-West. A phenom who picked up clubs at age 4, Michelle is a force on the greens. She was the youngest player ever to make the cut for the US Women’s Open at 13. She signed with Nike at age 15. And as a teenager, she famously fought for women's sports equality to play alongside men on the PGA circuit, debuting at an early season open in 2004 with a second-round 68 that still claims the record for the lowest PGA round by a woman.</h3><h3>Michelle went on to win the US Women’s Open and five more events on the LPGA tour. Last year, she retired from her professional golf career, earning a standing ovation as she sank her putt on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. She’d set her mind to a new goal: Growing her family. Michelle and her husband, Jonnie West, had a daughter, Makenna, in 2020, and wanted a second child — but the couple hit heartbreaking obstacles, including pregnancy loss and a difficult IVF journey.</h3><h3>Finding strength to get through hard moments is something Michelle says she’s always tapped into as an athlete. It’s those same athlete-minded traits — perseverance, dedication, passion — that she wants to instill in her daughter, and as of this past October, her new baby boy, Jagger Jerry Yoojun West.</h3><h3>Here, Michelle shares what victories look like to her now, the joy she’s found in working with Nike on products for women and mothers, and what’s next for her in sports. </h3>

To get through IVF, I drew from my experience in hardship and adversity as a professional athlete. Especially the physical aspects. As a professional golfer, I had to learn how to keep my stamina up, keep my body strong, and that helped me steel myself through the injections, the bruising. Of course, it’s not a complete one to one but I found there were many similarities to sports. You can try too hard, get frustrated, and feel stuck. I’ve learned in both that sometimes you have to let the process take over.When I think about pregnancy now, I think about it like training for a major. When I got pregnant with my first child, it was during Covid, and it happened so easily that I didn’t even think about it. Getting pregnant the second time was completely different. It didn’t come as easily. I paid more attention to preparing my body for birth. I worked with a nutritionist on an eating plan. While I couldn’t really work out too much, I was mindful about movement like walking. And I was more intentional on managing my energy levels, and my emotions as well.

Michelle Wie-West IVF

As a mom, I absolutely channel the mental training I developed as a golfer. When I’m tired, when my toddler’s crying, I tell myself to take a deep breath and not auto-react. It's like hitting a really bad shot on the green and just not letting it get to you. And just like in sports, leaning on other people is crucial too. Making sure I involve my partner, and not trying to do everything myself, not trying to be that super mom or guilt myself into that. And then sometimes I’ll just text my husband and say “I'm going to get my nails done. Figure it out.”

Being part of the <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-athlete-think-tank-second-cohort" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nike Athlete Think Tank</a> [a collective of women athletes who help advise the brand] has been a such a cool experience. I feel grateful and lucky to be welcomed into that community, and I’ve made so many amazing friends — women ranging from young girls in their teens to fellow moms. It’s been interesting to see that, while we all have different sports backgrounds, we’ve battled many of the same issues and problems. And it’s been fun and meaningful to have input into <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/all-movement-all-moments-our-next-era-of-designing-for-women" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nike women’s products</a> that have come to market, like the <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-leak-protection-period-innovation" rel="noopener noreferrer">Leak Protection Period short</a>, and to see Nike incorporate our suggestions. Part of the work I did with Athlete Think Tank was giving insights for <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-s-new-wearable-pump-compatible-sports-bra-and-easyon-shoe-give-mothers-more-support" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nike’s new Swoosh (M) Bra</a>. This nursing bra allows women to move while they express breast milk, and I’m really excited to try it out. When I was pregnant last time, the technology was just being developed, so this pregnancy I absolutely got a hands-free pump. I think the bra is <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/we-knew-women-needed-this-bra-yesterday" rel="noopener noreferrer">a gamechanger for women</a>. When you're plugged into a wall to pump, you're stuck. To be able to nurse or pump while you're, say, walking on the treadmill, doing something for yourself, is so huge. After having my daughter, I remember I would have to leave the golf course to go pump between shots. I’d have to take a hole off. With this bra, I could pump on the golf cart! It is physical, mental and emotional freedom to not have to be in the corner of a locked room every two and a half hours to pump. And I think products like this can prolong breastfeeding journeys. It’s been fun to see the Nike maternity line expand, to try out different things from the line. I also helped give insights for the Nike (M) apparel, which people think is just for pregnancy and postpartum, but can absolutely be for an IVF journey too. You get so bloated and nothing fits, and that takes a big hit on your psyche when you’re already feeling pretty low. My maternity style this second time around was tighter rib-knit dresses, two-piece sets. I wasn’t afraid to experiment. I wore a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Vqi9eyJ0-/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nike Swim two-piece in my third trimester</a> and just sized up. I got the triangle bikini, and it was holding on for dear life. One thing I would love to see more of is people supporting women through pregnancy losses. To talk about that more, and to put supporting loss on par with supporting prepgancy. I think Nike, and all of us, has done a good job of starting to <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/this-is-a-product-that-can-change-people-s-lives" rel="noopener noreferrer">talk about periods and menstrual cycles</a>, to develop products to help support those moments, but I think there's so much more that is involved in the road to motherhood.

The Nike (M) Swoosh Bra has adjustable cups to accommodate wearable breast pumps; proprietary hardware on the straps allows individual strap drop-down for nursing; and the interior lining features Nike Leak Protection: Breast Milk, a special moisture-managing material that helps prevent visible breast milk leaks.

Periods can be a barrier to sport and movement for teens and adults — physically, mentally and emotionally. Knowing this, Nike created Leak Protection: Period, an ultrathin, absorbent liner that helps protect against period leaks to provide extra comfort and confidence. It debuted in the Nike One Leak Protection: Period Short.

Nike has extended its Nike (M) collection, adding a new dress along with refreshed tanks, tops, shorts and tights.

Nike's Expanding Pre- and Postpartum Products

What fueled me as a pro golfer was that obsession to get better, to see how good I could be. That drove me through practice and through training and through the hard times. If I didn’t have that single-minded way of thinking, I felt like I wouldn’t reach my potential. And, when I was out there pushing myself — it was fun. There was nothing more fun than playing great golf, knowing that every shot that you hit is going to be good, the putts are going to drop. And when tough times inevitably hit, you’re just trying to get back to those moments again. Throughout my career that’s what I leaned on, an insatiable desire to be back in those moments. Now, I’ve transferred some of that ambition into my family. My daughter, Makenna, is 4 years old. And I’ve loved seeing the positive impact I can make on her and how she sees the world. You know, when they're younger, you don’t really know what you’re doing, you’re just trying to keep them alive. Now, I can see her trying to emulate me, and I’m focused on being the example I want to set — showing her strong work ethic, how to self-motivate, the power of kindness and empathy. During my golf career, I tried to make bold choices, to not be afraid to fail or make a fool of myself, and those are the values I hope to instill in my daughter, my new baby. And it’s a fun ride. Makenna is just starting sports, and I am introducing her to golf, but also soccer, swimming, and she’s recently gotten into tennis. Really, I'm just her Uber driver at this point. I remember with Makenna, I was on the range 10 days after giving birth. This time I will not be doing that. I definitely want to <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/six-instant-benefits-of-running" rel="noopener noreferrer">get back into running</a>, to do Pilates and strength train and feel strong in my body again. And I still enjoy playing golf! Though tennis is my game at the moment. I’m looking forward to seeing how good I can get at that — and doing it with my daughter.

The golf champion talks about her challenges with IVF and pregnancy, and the model she wants to be for her daughter and new baby.

Michelle Wie-West Is Still Breaking Barriers

Find Out What Drives Our Athletes

Story Landing

3-Minute Portrait

3-Minute Portrait Alysa Liu

Alysa Liu’s Best Advice for Sports and Life

3-Minute Portrait Sky Brown

Sky Brown Shares Her First Skateboarding Memory

3-Minute Portrait Michelle Wie West

Michelle Wie West on When She Realized She Was a Golf Phenom

Erin Wallace rounded the 600-meter mark on the backstretch in Xiamen, China, holding on for dear life. In her periphery, she eyed the blinking blue light at her feet that was attempting to leave her behind.Erin was one of two runners who were pacing <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/faith-kipyegon-profile" target="_blank">world champion Faith Kipyegon</a> for the 1,000-meter in April’s Diamond League meet. Pacers, or rabbits, ensure that at least one runner in the field keeps the right pace to break a certain time, usually a record. In this case, Faith was looking to break 2:28.98 in the 1,000-meter, a world record that’s stood for 27 years.&nbsp;Erin is familiar with laying down a pinpoint pace. In London in 2024, the 24-year-old Scottish athlete paced the 800-meter for fellow national team runner and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/keely-hodgkinson-wins-gold" target="_blank">Nike athlete Keely Hodgkinson</a>. Peeling off the track after 500 meters, she watched Keely soar around the second lap and break the British national record with a time of 1:54.61.&nbsp;Physically, pacing and racing are interrelated. But mentally, they do have their differences.

<h3>At the Gun </h3>An in-between middle distance like the 1,000-meter in Xiamen shows the skillful precision behind every good pacer. Erin’s coach, Trevor Painter, suggested she start the race conservatively. The gun sounds, the race begins. In starting as the third runner from the furthest outside lane, she needed to pull ahead of the pack for the first 50 meters. But at the 200-meter mark, she ran 29.4, a shade over the race pace of 28.8. She needed to pick things up. Fast enough? Too fast? Too slow? The internal dialogue rages in a pacer’s mind. By the time she rounded the first 400 meters, she clocked a 59.38, nearly even with the blinking light around the track’s interior — a light acting as a digital rabbit.“In Diamond League meets, you have clocks stationed at every 100-meter mark. But you still need to have an internal physical sense of when to pick things up,” says Erin. “Just because you can run a fast time doesn’t necessarily mean you can regulate your speed for someone else’s time."

<h3>During The Race</h3>There’s a time on the clock, and there’s the clock ticking away in your body,&nbsp;raising the alarm to slow down or speed up. Erin mentions how pacing at different distances can require various levels of awareness. At shorter distances, you’re going at a sprint, relying more on the light. Your athletic threshold is the barometer. A longer distance, however, can leave more room for strategic error.“You learn to notice both your body and your environment at a high intensity when you’re a pacer,” says Erin. “You notice your position relative to the field. You notice where the timers are placed in the stadium. You especially notice anything that can disrupt the race, like how your exit impacts the other runners.”

<h3>Going for the Exit</h3>The final 400 meters, where many pacers will exit as the other runners take the bell lap, can be loaded with potential tripping hazards: the inside rail, the clock, electronic scoreboard equipment. In Erin’s case during the Xiamen race, she looked down the last 20 meters of the 600-meter home stretch and realized that things were “looking a little busy down there,” referring to a banner advertisement on the ground preventing an easy exit. She’d need to either hurdle it or find an opening about 2 meters past the finish line and quickly veer off.&nbsp;She managed to find a gap in front of the banner. She shot for the exit and made it — barely.&nbsp;“When you peel off the track,” she says, “you want the runner following you to have every detail lined up for them.”&nbsp;That was true for Faith, who handily won the 1,000-meter, though narrowly missed beating the world record. She’ll take those learnings to her next challenge: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/breaking4-faith-kipyegon-vs-the-four-minute-mile" target="_blank">attempting to break the 4-minute mile in Paris on June 26</a>.Erin’s perspective on Faith’s daring: “It’s crazy,” she says. “When you’re running up close with her, like I have this season, you’re able to appreciate just how talented she is.” Erin adds that she’s honored to play a part in the Breaking4 arc. “Pacing gives you a chance to be part of another runner’s story,” she says. “Knowing that I can play a role in her path to beat that time is inspiring.”

Middle-distance runner Erin Wallace, who paces champions like Faith Kipyegon, breaks down the tactics to help racers hold a pinpoint time.

Fan 101

How a Professional Runner Helps Pace for Record Times

Editor’s Note: Fifty years ago today, Steve Prefontaine died in a tragic car accident at the age of 24. Kenny Moore, the esteemed writer and UO runner, said the following at his memorial service: “[Pre] conceived of his sport as a service, in the way an artist serves. Without that, he would never have given us all the records. They were out beyond winning or losing, which a runner does for himself. They came from those furious minutes near the end of a race when his relentlessness and our excitement blended into a joyous thunder. All of us who now say, ‘I had no idea how much this man meant to me,’ do so because we didn’t realize how much we meant to him. He was our glory, and we his.” Fifty years later, we remember the magic of Pre, who taught us that transformation — not just victory — is at the heart of sport.In 1973, two years after the Nike brand was born and the first Swoosh adorned shoes, the nascent footwear company signed its first star runner. The phenomenal Oregon native held multiple American distance records, competed on track and field’s greatest stage in Munich in 1972 and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as “America’s Distance Prodigy.” The prodigy was Steve Prefontaine, America’s best-known track and field athlete at age 22. He possessed warrior determination and ran each race as if his life depended on it. His competitive fire, gutsy race tactics and inherent charisma charmed crowds and inspired up-and-coming runners to stick with the sport and give it their all.&nbsp;

On Track for Greatness

At 15, competing for Marshfield High School in in Coos Bay, Ore., Prefontaine set his first national record, running the 2-mile event in 8:41.5. He won back-to-back state cross-country championships in 1968-1969, and went undefeated in cross-country and track his junior and senior years. Heavily recruited by top running schools during his senior year, Prefontaine was swayed by a handwritten note from University of Oregon head coach Bill Bowerman. “It said if I came to Oregon, he’d make me into the best distance runner ever,” Prefontaine recalled. “That was all I needed to hear.”

While training under Bowerman and assistant coach Bill Dellinger at Oregon beginning in 1969, Prefontaine won seven NCAA titles (three in cross-country, 1970-71, ’73; and four in the three-mile distance in track, 1970-73). In Pac-8 Conference track competition, he won three-mile titles each of his four years at Oregon, plus the mile in 1971. At home at Hayward Field during his collegiate career and beyond, he notched a remarkable 35 out of 38 victories between 1970 and 1975.&nbsp;

Prefontaine’s ascendance came at a time when running was far from mainstream. Drivers unwilling to share the road routinely yelled and threw garbage at runners as they sped past. Prefontaine helped changed that attitude from annoyance to admiration. On the strength of his indisputable achievement and winning personality, he was the first person to make running cool. His association with Nike helped establish the Swoosh as a trusted running brand and transform the company from national shoe distributor to worldwide brand.

As a competitor at the University of Oregon, Prefontaine had considerable exposure to Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike footwear (at the time, products were branded Nike but the company name was still the original Blue Ribbon Sports, or BRS). In the summer of 1973, Nike co-founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman extended a $5,000 yearly stipend to help offset Prefontaine’s training expenses and to relieve him of occasional bartending shifts at the popular Paddock tavern. In between track workouts and long runs along the McKenzie River, Prefontaine put in time at the BRS store in Eugene. Prefontaine became well versed in BRS and its products and he was an ace pitchman. He printed up business cards with the title National Director of Public Affairs, and began traveling around the Pacific Northwest sharing training tips and encouragement to athletes while introducing them to new Nike running shoes.&nbsp;

The Start of Swoosh Sports Marketing

“The amazing thing about Pre was he was a hell of a student of the sport and he just loved digging and learning about things,” said Geoff Hollister, a runner who also competed at the University of Oregon under Bowerman and became Nike’s third employee. Hollister managed the BRS store in Eugene, and he and Prefontaine became close friends who shared interests in architecture, sports cars, and, of course, running.&nbsp; The pair visited high schools, colleges, sports stores and running clubs. “Every place we went, Pre would take time to go for a jog with the kids. He would analyze their form, and talk to them,” Hollister said. Prefontiane easily related to teens and was a natural spokesman for the sport. In his book “Out of Nowhere,” Hollister remembered a talk Prefontaine had with students at West Albany:&nbsp;

Prefontaine took that same personal approach when connecting with athletes from afar, helping to create an early blueprint for Nike’s sports marketing. He introduced the sport’s elite to Nike products, sending shoes, along with personalized notes and his business card, to running friends around the world. “It was totally his own idea,” said Hollister. Prefontaine shipped boxes to Mary Decker in San Diego; New Zealand’s John Walker and Dick Quax; to Brendan Foster in England; and Kenya’s Kip Keino. “All those people ended up wearing Nike shoes,” said Hollister. In April of 1975, Prefontaine sent a note and a pair of ’73 Nike Bostons to the relatively unknown runner Bill Rodgers. The shoes' arrival created a stir among his teammates at the Greater Boston Track Club. “You’d hear about Nike shoes or see pictures, but it was the first pair that I’d seen in person,” recalled Alberto Salazar, who was a high school student in Boston and a teammate of Rodgers at the time. “He brought them to the track, and we were all holding them and passing them around. Everyone was real excited not only because it was a Nike shoe — which was kind of neat because it was different — but because Steve Prefontaine had sent the shoes with a note.” A few weeks later, Rodgers wore them in the local city marathon. He finished first.

Legacy

Prefontaine is also remembered for furthering the cause of American amateur track and field athletes, who were boxed in by the lopsided rules of the American Athletics Union (AAU). In the 1970s, athletes who wanted to participate in the Olympic Games were required to remain amateurs, making it difficult but necessary to train at their sport and earn a living doing something else. The AAU controlled runners’ competition schedules and took the lion’s share of appearance fees due to athletes. Prefontaine gave up offers upwards of $200,000 to go pro to preserve his eligibility for Montreal 1976, and instead collected a $3 per diem — the maximum amount allowed by the AAU.&nbsp;

He continually challenged the AAU and spoke out about the inequity, even when it put his eligibility to compete in jeopardy. Prefontaine preserved his amateur status but he never made it to Montreal. His last meet was May 29, 1975, in a race he helped organize against members of the Finnish national team and distance heavy hitters such as Frank Shorter. Competing in the 5000m, Prefontaine trailed Shorter the first two miles, then, with three laps to go, accelerated to a 63-second pace. In front of a Hayward Field crowd of 7,000, he finished with a 60.3 last lap and a winning time of 13:23.8, just off his own American record. He ran a victory lap, attended the University of Oregon track and field awards banquet and spent the rest of the evening hanging out and celebrating with friends. The biggest track and field star in the country came to a tragic end later, just after midnight, while driving home, his life cut short by a car accident at age 24.&nbsp; His legacy is multifaceted. To generations of athletes at all levels, he embodies the philosophy of training incredibly hard and going all out in competition. For Nike, he was both a muse on the track and a trailblazer who pioneered a highly original and personal way of inspiring athletes with the brand. For fellow runners hamstrung by the AAU, Prefontaine was a leader who helped turn the tide towards professionalism. After Prefontaine’s death, others joined Nike in taking up his cause, ultimately leading to the abolishment of the AAU by the U.S. Congress in 1978. It was perhaps his most important legacy off the track.

Prefontaine's competitive fire, gutsy race tactics and inherent charisma charmed crowds and inspired up-and-coming runners to give it their all.

People

Feature

How Steve Prefontaine Set the Pace for Nike

Words: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/company/people/khorshed-deboo-contributing-writer" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small">Khorshed Deboo</a> Images: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/company/people/prarthna-singh-contributing-photographer" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small">Prarthna Singh</a>Editor's Note: This feature is co-published with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theestablished.com/" target="_blank">The Established</a>, a Mumbai-based digital platform dedicated to exploring culture, fashion, beauty and art. When Garima Dhamija runs, she doesn’t just chase distance or pace — she’s craving space for herself, for dialogue. “For women in India, running is extremely liberating,” says the 51-year-old marathoner and coach. “Just getting some ‘me time,’ which isn’t common, that’s where it starts. And then a sense of achievement follows. That’s validating.” Based in Gurugram, outside of Delhi, Dhamija discovered running at the age of 40 while grappling with depression and menopause. Now, she’s clocked over 100 half marathons and 10 full ones, including Boston, where she placed among the fastest recreational runners in her age group.

On May 10, 2025, Dhamija — along with her 25-year-old daughter, Niharika — was among the 3,000-plus women who took part in the Mumbai chapter of the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-2025-after-dark-tour-womens-race-series" target="_blank">Nike After Dark Tour</a>, a unique 10-kilometer women-only night race past the city's iconic landmarks. According to Dhamija, "Running in the dark is just not normal in India. There are a couple of small night events where I live where we can go and run safely. But other than that, I can't imagine it, not even walking. It's a sense of not being able to do something that should be normal." While the After Dark race holds the distinction of being India's largest women's 10K to date, it points to a much bigger movement. Across India, women are lacing up to reclaim both their bodies and their streets. From sunrise jogs to evening runs, the movement is about more than just fitness — it's about freedom, self-determination and camaraderie.

Finding strength in numbers

For Merlyn Matchavel, a Sunday run sets the tone for a busy week, making her feel calmer and more focused at work. The 35-year-old Mumbai-based breast surgical oncologist started running a little over a year ago. “After years of medical school, I knew I needed to get back into fitness,” she says. “I started with morning walks and would see runners...honestly, it felt intimidating. I wondered, Could I ever do that?” Her first session with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/sistersinsweat.in/?hl=en" target="null">Sisters in Sweat</a>, India’s largest women-only sport and wellness community, left her breathless. “I could barely run a minute without wanting to stop,” she says. “Some days, it’s difficult to push myself, but running with a group of women has instilled immense discipline and consistency. It’s empowering too.” So much so that Matchavel is preparing for her first marathon in Berlin this September.

While she says the prospect of training for 26.2 miles can be daunting, simply getting a post-run coffee or breakfast with her fellow runners is reward enough for putting in the hard work. “There’s also the element of accountability. If you’ve told your friend that you will run with her the next morning, you cannot let her down. You have to wake up.” Running is often seen as an individual sport, however the support system is anything but, whether you’re training with friends or in the company of total strangers. Dhamija describes women she first met while running who are now close friends, bonding over banter and breakdowns. “I think a natural, unspoken bond is formed when you run with another woman,” she says. “You can talk about anything. It might be very personal or private, and the other woman will just understand. I’ve had so many conversations about menopause — still a hushed-up topic — while running with women who are complete strangers. Yes, you can talk about superficial things, but you can also talk about what’s really bothering you.”The benefits of running are both physiological and emotional. “You see a lot of running failures, despite putting in the work,” continues Dhamija, who’s currently balancing caregiving for her aging father with a full-time job as a leadership coach and co-founder of an HR advisory firm. “How do you hold these failures with grace? There’s that sense of working hard and then surrendering the outcome. That’s my biggest learning from running, apart from patience.” Along with depth of insight and a newfound sense of community, running also lets one view their city through a fresh lens, like mapping a psychogeography — eyes, mind, feet in sync — something 30-year-old Mishti Khatri, a Mumbai-based marathon trainer and Nike Run Coach, resonates with. While the first one or two kilometers are always painful for Khatri, who began running to overcome her childhood fear of it, she soon finds her rhythm. “It always seemed impossible before. But now, running is like meditation in motion for me. It is a very blissful space; I shut the world out,” she says. “Halfway into my run, the sun comes up. I feel I get to experience an otherwise teeming city in a different light. Sometimes, if I’m driving past my running route, I think to myself, Damn, I actually ran this distance. Because of running, I feel more connected to my city.”

Currently completing a PhD in endurance performance, the menstrual cycle and nitrates, with the goal of contributing to scientific research exclusively focused on women athletes in India, Khatri coached participants for the After Dark Tour for 10 weeks. The training sessions started with 40 runners and grew, by word of mouth, to over 400, with over 60 percent of participants identifying as first-time runners.

Expanding the future of running for women in India

"Running on the streets of Indian cities can come with risk, especially for women. For Dhamija, the real change will unfold when women don’t have to fear stepping outside alone, and she’s doing her part to create the change she wants to see: “Some years ago,” Dhamija recalls, “me and a few women got together and did something called the ‘Shed-It Run,’ where basically you remove your T-shirt and run in a sports bra, which was not a common thing in India at the time. When the organizers came to me and asked if I would join, I didn’t blink an eye. It was only when I spoke to my male friends who are runners, they were very worried, and not just about our safety. That bothered me. And that’s when I knew change was needed.”

Yet every lap is laced with optimism. In Mumbai, young girls are forming their own running clubs and documenting every sweaty stride on social media. Many of them showed up for the Mumbai edition of the Nike After Dark Tour. The event saw women from different generations coming together to take to the streets on a muggy yet exhilarating night. “It’s so fulfilling to see women coming together and having this experience. Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve seen their confidence grow,” says Khatri.&nbsp;While more women in urban India across age groups and backgrounds are on the roads to reclaim space, agency and identity, Dhamija notes the hurdles that persist: a lack of safe public spaces, cultural stigma, caregiving responsibilities, and limited representation of women in coaching and leadership roles. She believes hyperlocal communities, with familiar faces and shared intent, can shift the culture. “In Haryana, for example, women taking up sports isn’t new. Just look at the women in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/23/style/girls-wrestling-academy-india.html?searchResultPosition=1" target="null">wrestling</a>,” she says. “Grassroots programs and even brands can help normalize running in the same way.”Visibility is only the start. The future of running in India will depend on whether it can become a truly inclusive movement, one that welcomes women not just as participants, but as decision-makers, coaches and architects of change.

One such changemaker? Nike Run Coach <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/swoosh-tc-announcement" target="_blank">Diljeet Taylor</a>, who has trained over 100 All-Americans and serves as the Nike After Dark Tour’s Head Coach, having designed its global training program. Born in California to Indian immigrant parents, Taylor entered elementary school speaking only Punjabi. It was when she began running races — and winning, even beating the boys — that she finally came into her own.&nbsp;“I grew up as a young girl who never saw Indian women in sport. As a matter of fact, it was discouraged,” she says. “I felt like I didn’t have a true sense of belonging in sport as an Indian woman.”&nbsp;

Now based in Utah, where she coaches Brigham Young University’s Division 1 women’s cross-country and track and field teams, Taylor traveled 48 hours to be in Mumbai for the After Dark Tour. “This is a full-circle moment for me, one that I’m beyond proud to be a part of,” she says. In addition to her official After Dark Tour duties, Taylor found time to have breakfast on race day with Dhamija, Matchavel, and Khatri, whom she chatted with on video calls individually in the weeks prior. Taylor knows that what women experience upon crossing the finish line is more than just victory. “There is a sense of gratitude for what they were able to do, for showing up and completing what they signed up for. Most people think runner’s high is the euphoria of attaining a certain distance or pace. But beyond euphoria, it’s that sense of pride you have in yourself,” she shares.

To that end, Dhamija concludes, “If done right, recreational running can evolve into a deeply inclusive and transformative movement for women in India.” As for the naysayers? Matchavel has some advice: “I have learnt to ignore and simply mute them, both literally and figuratively. It’s a quiet win.”There was nothing quiet about the After Dark Tour 10K, which electrified the streets of Mumbai with a cacophony of cheers and the pounding of sneakers on pavement, making clear that Indian women are passionate about running — for themselves and each other. And they’re showing zero signs of slowing down.

Running on pavement, along promenades, under stadium lights and in celebratory races like the Nike After Dark Tour Mumbai, more and more Indian women are taking to the streets and reclaiming space and power — together.

The Women Creating a New Running Culture in India

“The proving grounds are right here,” Kevin Durant told his team of young players. He was addressing Team Durant, his Nike Elite Youth Basketball (EYBL) squad, ahead of its opening weekend of the EYBL season in Mesa, AZ.&nbsp;The gymnasium would be filled with family, friends, as well as coaches and scouts in quarter-zips, scribbling notes about breakout performances, gutsy plays and potential futures in their programs. If any of the 16-year-olds had opening day jitters, Durant understood. “I know how important this time is,” he told them.&nbsp;Durant speaks from firsthand experience. Twenty years ago, he was that same competitive hopeful out of Prince George’s County, MD, battling against other amateur teams across the DMV and beyond. And according to Durant, the future of grassroots basketball is in good hands through leagues like Nike EYBL, because of the tools they provide for young players. In the quotes below, Durant shares about his earliest memories as an amateur player, the edge that EYBL has over other amateur programs, and his big ambitions for grassroots leagues moving forward.&nbsp;I grew up in a basketball culture whose history set the tone for us to follow.&nbsp;The talent coming of the DMV circuit was real. Dating back to the ‘60s and ‘70s, you got talented players from PG County, DC area, Baltimore, Northern Virginia. They built a culture around being an amateur player who could move into the college ranks and into the pros. By the time my generation came around in the early 2000s, we knew we had to reach that standard.&nbsp;You never forget your breakout game at that level.&nbsp;Mine was a Memorial Day tournament in New Orleans. I was playing for the DC Devils. It was 2005. I think I had 36 points in my first game down there, playing a team out of Detroit. It was one of the first times I had full confidence in all of my abilities. I was in full command of what I was doing. A lot of people who were in attendance for that game, whether it was my friends or the media, knew how I was coming into my own.&nbsp;For the player who wants it, amateur ball teaches you how to play within a lifestyle of the game.&nbsp;With so many practices, so many games, so many tournaments, we were around organized basketball for hours a day. The biggest lesson youth ball taught me at that level was knowing how to live a complete lifestyle of basketball, from the moment your day starts.&nbsp;

Above all else, the quality I look for in my players [on Team Durant] is in their love for the game.&nbsp;They also got to have toughness, they have to be versatile, they have to guard multiple positions. But that love of the game is what helps them transition from EYBL to college to the NBA. We’ve had guys like Jordan Hawkins and Dariq Whitehead who’ve gone through our program and made it to the NBA. I’m grateful for every player who’s given us the opportunity to coach them up and help them on their journey.&nbsp;The structure behind EYBL is one of its biggest strengths.&nbsp;It’s not as wide open for teams to do what they want as it was back when I was playing. Now, EYBL has created a clear structure from the top down. It runs almost like a league of its own. I want to see it keep evolving. Maybe we start turning these programs into academies.&nbsp;EYBL is already special. I think it could evolve into something even bigger.&nbsp;Whether or not they make the pros, young players need the experience of playing for a vision that’s bigger than themselves.&nbsp;The end goal could be a trophy, like for Peach Jam, but reaching that is made up of other goals, like coming together with your teammates to problem-solve and learning how to be coachable. It’s important for players to know early on what playing on a team is like, because it’s a theme that continues as you become an adult.&nbsp;I still love the game — and I’ll do whatever I can to stay around and contribute.&nbsp;I’m trying to lead by example with these young guys, who have their futures ahead of them. They can look at my own journey and see themselves in me.&nbsp;The Nike KD18 EYBL Rocket Power is available now. The next stop of the EYBL season is the weekend of May 17 in Memphis.&nbsp;

The NBA Champion and 15-Time All Star talks about his involvement with the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, his ambitions for grassroots basketball, and his admiration for the next generation of talent.

To Kevin Durant, the Right Platform Creates Greatness

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/company/people/maisie-skidmore-contributing-writer" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small">By Maisie Skidmore</a>It sounds like the opening line to a good joke: “Two of the greatest runners of all time walk into a garden.” And when Eliud Kipchoge and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/faith-kipyegon-profile" target="_blank">Faith Kipyegon</a> take their seats — on blue plastic lawn chairs, in the lush green courtyard they helped cultivate at the Global Sports Communication camp — they can’t stop laughing. “Not this guy!” Faith calls out, a wide grin on her face. “Oh no, he won’t stop talking!”&nbsp;The warm, jovial back-and-forth typifies the relationship between mentor and mentee, and it’s possible that it’s what carries these two runners through the hard work they do. They live and train together here at camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, from Monday to Saturday, week in and week out, covering hundreds of miles while living simply alongside their teammates. For all the laughter, Eliud and Faith’s connection is rooted in focus and discipline, two qualities the pair share in abundance. They also share GOAT status.&nbsp;To break it down: In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under 2 hours, confounding critics who, until that day, had insisted that such a feat was impossible. He won Olympic gold medals in the marathon in Rio in 2016 and in Tokyo in 2020, set the world marathon record in Berlin in 2022, and has won 16 of the 21 marathons he has competed in around the world. His global rallying cry is to “make the world a running world” and demonstrate to legions of followers that “no human being is limited.”Faith Kipyegon, for her part, is a three-time Olympic champion in the 1,500 meters (the only person to ever three-peat gold in the distance), a former world record holder in the 5,000 meters, and a world record holder in both the 1,500 meters and the mile. When we sit down to speak, she is deep in training for her greatest feat yet. This June, with Eliud’s guidance and unwavering support, Faith aims to become <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/breaking4-faith-kipyegon-vs-the-four-minute-mile" target="_blank">the first woman ever to “break 4” in the mile</a>, running the distance in under 4 minutes.With teammates and friends such as Eliud and Faith, talk of training, inspiration and dreams is never dull, and we were delighted to sit down with the two to chat through it all. That is, for as long as they could successfully avoid one another’s eye contact. At that point, laughter won out.

Maisie Skidmore: Faith, tell me how the idea for this project first came to you.Faith Kipyegon: We [said], with the team, “We have achieved everything!” Three Olympic gold medals. World Championship medals. I’ve been the best miler on the track, the fastest 1,000 meters, the fastest 1,500. I said, “What else can I achieve?” We decided it‘s high time to think about empowering girls and inspiring the next generation in pushing barriers.MS: What did Eliud say when you told him?FK: Eliud is like a computer! I don’t know who told him, but he had already read my mind. Maybe he had this thought as well, that I could try something to cement my legacy. When I told him, he told me, “I think you have decided on a good thing to do.”Eliud Kipchoge: After 1:59, I told everybody, “Now you know what to do! You can come, you can train, you can run the marathon in under 2 hours [like I did].” Now, a new challenge comes to women. It comes to Faith. I’m so happy that Faith has dared to think and is ready to try to run the mile in under 4 minutes. This is the chance of a lifetime. Faith will be going up to the moon, actually, and coming back to Earth, and [then] we will celebrate together. On that really crucial day, the world will be united for 4 minutes. We will celebrate for 4 minutes. We will make the world beautiful for 4 minutes.MS: The two of you have a mentor-mentee relationship.&nbsp;EK: Yes, we share a lot.&nbsp;FK: He’s giving me his support, his encouragement and inspiration. Knowing that he has already tried [something of this scale] and he has achieved it, that encourages me. I encourage myself that Eliud did it, and I think I am gonna do it as well.&nbsp;EK: You know, I think the most important things are the systems. Faith has already built the real system. It’s like crossing a bridge to get to the other side — the systems themselves are the bridge. Faith has just to step on them and cross to the other side. So our work is actually to motivate her, tell her what’s right, and make sure her mind is calm. The hardest thing to control is the mind, but Faith is focused.

Mentor to Mentee: Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon

MS: How do you overcome the psychological barriers?EK: The psychological part follows what you have been doing in training. If you are hitting the right targets, training in a happy way, it makes the other side — the psychological part — very easy. The moment you accomplish one, it will help the other one.&nbsp;MS: How does it feel now Faith, to talk about what you are trying to do?FK: It feels great. To be together with Eliud, to be with a person who has tried and achieved it, has inspired me a lot. Eliud has shown me that boundaries are meant to be pushed. So I’m there to dare to try, and I will give it my all. Being at the side of Eliud and the team, with our coach, and training in a healthy way — it’s easier for me, because the team behind me has already been successful.&nbsp;MS: How will you celebrate afterward?&nbsp;EK: One of our values at camp is that we take time to celebrate our wins. We want Faith to accomplish the mission, to make history. Then we will absorb the whole history, and then we celebrate.MS: How did you celebrate, Eliud, after you ran 1:59?EK: I ended my celebration at the finish line. It felt like there were 1 billion people there. I needed to celebrate with everybody, and I think that’s the best place to do it. As much applies to Faith; when she's going through that line with everybody — all the people watching on TV, online, live, everybody — the highest energy will be there. It’s good to celebrate that moment and appreciate everybody in the world that’s watching.MS: You’ve known one another for 10 years. Did you get along straight away?&nbsp;EK: Yes, we had a good relationship. The only problem was that I was on the road, and she was on the track, so at first, to interact was a little bit hard. She was doing one thing, and I was doing another thing.FK: I joined them here in 2019, after I came back from maternity leave. I’ve learned so many things. Teamwork is the most important thing, but also, having fun together in camp. That is what we do here.MS: You’ve worked with your coach, Patrick Sang, for a long time — Eliud for 23 years, Faith for six. What role does he play for both of you?EK: A coach can influence an athlete’s life much more than a parent; I think he has influenced us more than where we come from. We are here for five and a half days a week, and we interact here. Patrick has played a fatherly role for us. That’s the real impact that he has had.FK: Eliud has said it all — Patrick is like our father, he has really mentored us. He knows what’s best for us.MS: Coach Patrick told me that you’re alike in many ways. Is that something that you feel too?EK: I’ve never thought about it like that! Maybe we are alike in our focus and our purpose in life, yes.FK: I think...[laughs] I think we are similar in knowing how to be in the right place at the right time. When it is time to be in camp, we are in camp, and when it’s time to be in training, we are in training. We have learned that from each other.MS: Living in such close proximity here, you read one another closely. What do you do to lift the mood?EK: If I realize Faith is in a low moment, I just talk to her. She’s easy to interact with, and in five minutes, she’s laughing again. She’s forgotten the stress [laughs].&nbsp;FK: Eliud is a person who reads my mind. Sometimes when I come in here and I’m not talking loud or laughing, maybe something is bothering me, he’s like, “I think there is something disturbing you. What is it?” I feel free to share with him because he’s like my brother — I’m with him all the time here. I listen to him, and after two minutes, I’m laughing again. Then we keep going and focus on the day.MS: Eliud, what’s the most meaningful thing that you’ve learned from working with Faith?EK: The most meaningful thing is that she takes risks. Faith takes on anything that comes along. That’s the beauty of her.MS: How about you, Faith?FK: What I’ve learned from Eliud is that being disciplined is the key to every success. Work hard every time. And be yourself.

See how the world’s fastest man to run 26.2 miles is helping to guide the world’s fastest woman to run 1 — and make history in the process.

In Conversation: Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge and Track Star Faith Kipyegon

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/en/company/people/maisie-skidmore-contributing-writer" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small">By Maisie Skidmore</a>A few minutes before sunrise on a chilly Thursday morning in mid March, a crowd of local runners waits patiently at the gates to the Global Sports Communication Camp in western Kenya to join the resident athletes on their weekly long run. The route can range from 20 to 40 kilometers, depending on where the professionals are in their training schedule. Today’s workout covers 30 kilometers of an out-and-back, the locals doing their best to match the blistering pace, splintering off along the way. At the center of this rarefied team is one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/breaking4-faith-kipyegon-vs-the-four-minute-mile" target="_blank">Faith Kipyegon</a>.&nbsp;The sky, a deep, dark violet, becomes daubed with pink as the sun creeps up. The air smells sweet with woodsmoke and eucalyptus. At 6 o’clock sharp, the runners set off, their feet pattering against the red dirt road in a flash of neon pink, orange and yellow. They run in focused silence, eyes straight ahead, yet still gesturing almost imperceptibly to one another to signal a pothole or obstruction or to shift the formation of the group. The only other sounds are the sudden noisy chirrups of birds, the occasional braying of cattle, and the thunder of traffic as it races past, another day in rural Kenya beginning in earnest. On the route, the pack of runners pass children walking to school, their outsize rucksacks bouncing up and down on their tiny backs. This, in fact, is how Faith Kipyegon — a three-time Olympic champion in the 1,500-meter, the world record holder in the mile, 15 years a Nike athlete, and a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/faith-kipyegon-exclusive-interview" target="_blank">once-in-a-generation talent</a> — got her start.

“Being a young girl from the village, I was running to school and back home. It was fun, you know?” she says. It’s a few hours later, and the 5-foot-2-inch athlete is fresh out of an ice bath and wrapped in a down jacket to thaw. All around, her peers’ kits hang over bushes, drying in the warm morning sun. “It’s still fun,” she grins. As a primary school student in rural Ndababit, about an hour away from this camp, Faith covered some 10 miles a day. She’s covered many more miles since — and runs them with a Swoosh on her feet — but now her mind is focused on just one. This summer, at Paris’ Stade Charléty, she intends to become the first woman in history to run the mile in less than 4 minutes.

Faith Kipyegon on Pushing Boundaries

For women, a sub-4-minute mile has long been considered not only improbable, but physiologically impossible. For Faith, it’s precisely this label that makes breaking 4 so compelling. “I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. The team and I were asking, what else can we achieve? Are we going for more medals?” she says. “We asked, why don't we dream outside the box? Achieve the impossible. Make it possible.”&nbsp;For Faith and her Kenyan compatriots, who operate almost entirely in metric kilometers, there’s a novelty about the mile. The distance remains, as Faith calls it, “a big thing” — a milestone in every sense. She knows her North American competitors measure themselves against it from a young age, sprinting the mile as a fitness test from grade school and upward. There’s also a beautiful simplicity to racing the mile on a track: four laps, as fast as you can.&nbsp;Seventy-one years ago, in 1954, British runner Roger Bannister famously became the first man to run it in under 4 minutes, hitting a time of 3:59.4. Before he succeeded, it had been considered an impossible feat for any human being. And yet in the years since Bannister broke that barrier, nearly 2,000 elite male athletes have achieved the same. Sometimes, all you need is proof.&nbsp;In 2023, Faith obliterated the existing women’s mile record at the Monaco Diamond League, clocking a time of 4:07.64. The whispers began. Could a woman go sub-4? In her upcoming moonshot, she’ll attempt to shave off those 7.65 seconds, cementing her legacy.&nbsp;

How? Anybody who’s ever raced the mile — particularly while redlining their effort the entire way — knows the gap that divides 4:07.64 and 3.59.9 is chasmic. To help clear it, Nike is considering every factor and advantage, including innovations in apparel and footwear, as well as location, aerodynamics and efficiency. Faith is focused on the internal. First, she’ll work to overcome the psychological barriers. “It’s all about the mind,” she says. “The physical can be healthy, but if the mind is not there, you are done. If you keep on telling yourself that you can do it, you can do it. You have to dream of training in a healthy way. Dream of being injury-free. Dream of how the event will look on the day, how you will be on the day. You can’t stop dreaming.” Second, she’ll build on the solid foundation she established in Monaco — with a little help from YouTube. “I think of how I broke the 1-mile world record in Monaco, and that has really helped me to review how fast I was. When you watch yourself running the same race, you can get an idea of what you are going to change.”Faith has another formidable tool: the unwavering support and guidance of her mentor and training partner, Eliud Kipchoge, who achieved his own “impossible” feat in 2019, running 1:59:40 to break the 2-hour marathon barrier. Faith and Eliud have known one another for 10 years and trained together at camp for six, since Faith returned to work after giving birth to her daughter. Their relationship is like that of siblings — warm, playful, respectful, close. They are alike in many ways: focused, disciplined, ambitious. And different in others: Where Eliud is almost ascetic in his contemplation, Faith is vivacious and animated. What’s immediately clear in watching their interactions is the certainty Eliud has that Faith is the athlete for this moment. “What's special about Faith is that she is an abundant thinker,” he explains in his soft tone, his gaze intent. “She can absorb any goal. She’s a big dreamer, she respects everybody, she communicates with cohesiveness. She’s able to put a lot of ideas in a bag and shake it and come out with the best one. Faith is the woman to take on this challenge because she’s open to trying.” He smiles mischievously: “In life they say if you are thinking big, you need to wake up earlier and go to bed later. But in sport, if you are really a big dreamer, you train harder and smarter. And Faith is training well.”

Eliud Kipchoge on His Advice for Faith

Eliud sits in a blue plastic lawn chair in the lush green garden at camp. All around us grow fruit trees, flowers and bushes with hand-written signs at their bases. Some mark achievements, medals and records; others bear the names of the supporting family, friends and team members who planted them during a visit. (The Nike team keeps up a friendly competition about whose tree is flourishing — and whose is looking a little worse for wear.) As well as affording much-valued shade, these trees represent growth, fruition and the slow but extraordinary progress that can be made with sustained daily effort, says Eliud. Like the interior walls at camp, the garden is laden with signs and posters emblazoned with motivational quotes of all kinds. The positive mental attitude they invoke for Eliud, Faith and their peers is not only important to the training, it is the training. “What makes the psychological part fitter is to make the physical part fitter,” he adds, alluding to Faith’s process. “If you train in a good way, in a hard way, in a happy way, and you are accomplishing everything in training, then the psychological part actually is already fit. You train the body and the mind at the same time.”Faith and Eliud share a phenomenal coach in Patrick Sang, who has worked with Faith for six years and Eliud for 23. From his point of view, the goal of running a mile in less than 4 minutes is a natural progression for Faith, an extraordinary athlete whose talent and ambition are tangled up with her irrepressible spirit. “Whatever we do in life is a continuum of what we started some time back,” he says. He lists Faith’s accomplishments of just the past 18 months: a world record Olympic gold, a third world title, the world record in the mile. “If you achieve what she’s achieved, of course you get to a point where you ask, what if? Then the question becomes, what if you try? We’re in the process now of trying, and this is the thing that is worth trying. She is convinced that it’s within her reach, and with the proper support coming from all the systems around her, I believe it’s possible.”

Coach Patrick Sang on Faith’s Determination

The GSC Camp is a modest, quiet place. The only soundtrack is that of birdsong and chatter, the occasional peal of laughter. Most of the athletes sleep in shared dormitories. They divide chores and other domestic duties among themselves — cleaning, mopping floors, organizing trash — the rota making no exceptions for medals or tenure. In the small gym, exercise balls are piled in the corner next to weights, a stack of wooden stools, a treadmill and an exercise bike. Outside, by the physiotherapy room, two huge blue plastic buckets — the ice baths — sit next to a freezer full of ice. The athletes using these facilities are the best in the world — the greatest, even, of all time. They have access to every convenience, every luxury, the newest technologies and innovations. But what they need to be at their peak is to forgo much of that from Monday to Saturday. Week over week, they choose to harness their implicit talent through focus, discipline and teamwork.The teamwork is key, and a resolutely Kenyan value. When Faith won her first Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016, she eschewed grand rewards in favor of having electricity installed for the village she grew up in. “Becoming an Olympic champion changed my life, and at the same time it changed the community’s life,” she says of that moment. “When you benefit, the community also benefits.” That same community emphasis guides the athletes here every day. “My favorite thing about being in camp is the teamwork,” she adds. “Teamwork is really what drives us to achieve what we have achieved.”&nbsp;Eliud is a driving force behind this approach. “We are building a team by defining teamwork as a group of people who trust each other,” he explains. “We build it with good values, good words, good training, good living environment, good relationships. With anything that brings humanity. Every day is a day for building teamwork. Faith can win as an individual, and the success belongs to the whole team.” It’s this focus on teamwork that leads shy newcomers at camp to take up leadership positions there, or the runners to shift their formation over the course of the long run, he explains. “In training, we’re trying to give a chance to everybody. Running in front gives you confidence that you can lead other people. So we are rotating to give that chance and that morale to everybody. Go in front, get that motivation.”

Faith Track Training

On Friday morning, the camp’s athletes line up yoga mats and physio balls in the garden for their weekly strength and conditioning training. They are guided by their assistant physiotherapist, Eric Muthuri, but there’s no question that they fuel one another, focused and united in their effort. As the tempo creeps up, Faith, grinning, catches the eye of some of her peers; together they giggle and protest. This workout takes place some 8,800 feet, or 2,700 meters, above sea level in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, with altitude that encourages the breath out of the lungs rather than into them. But otherwise the routine is not visibly different from one at a community gym in any other city. When it finishes, the athletes will return to their dormitories to read, nap or sit quietly outside together, mentally preparing for the next workout. Rest and recovery are crucial.

While Faith, her coaches and her mentor push on toward her audacious goal from their base at camp, another supporting team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming attempt elsewhere. In Beaverton, Ore., Nike’s teams are honing innovations in footwear and apparel design and testing using a 3D mold created from scans produced when Faith visited the Nike Sport Research Lab in January. Her visit also included body mapping, baseline testing, VO2 max testing, and conversations about color palette and design direction. There will be no stone left unturned when it comes to improving her performance, her apparel and footwear, or aerodynamics on the day. She sees, feels, appreciates it all. “I don’t even know how to talk about Nike — they have supported me in everything. Since 2010! Since I was so young in my career.”As for the attempt itself, it’s set for June 26, at Stade Charléty in Paris, on the same track on which Faith set new world records in the 5,000-meter in 2023 and the 1,500-meter in 2024. Contributing factors include the weather (no wind is preferable, naturally, and Faith favors afternoon sunshine) and the crowd (loud). But by the time she steps on the track, Faith explains, she’ll already have broken 4 minutes hundreds, if not thousands, of times — in her head. “I run through it psychologically, in my mind: Today is the day of the event, and I have to do this, and this, and this,” she says. “This really gives me energy to wake up in the morning and go for training.”&nbsp;

Another prime driver will be the grinning face of her daughter, Alyn, waiting for her at the finish line. “Becoming a mother has changed my entire mental [attitude],” explains Faith, “firstly because when you are training, you have left somebody behind. I come to stay at camp from Monday to Saturday, and I just have two days with her. Now that she has grown, she understands what I am, she understands what I’m doing, that I have to push myself to hit these great goals. She knows running is not easy — you have to train and focus. She knows that when Mama is going to race, it’s a serious competition; she waits until the finish line, and then she can celebrate.” While the time Faith spends away from home is not easy, she sees the power of setting this example for her daughter while doing her part to build a more equitable world for her to grow up in. “Motherhood has shown me a lot,” she says. “That is the mentorship we have to give to our children — that you have to engage yourself in anything, whatever you choose. You have to motivate your child, you have to show your child the way. You have to go out to push barriers. And this is what I do.”Alyn is not the only one. For every step of her training runs, every early morning rise or ice bath, Faith has women and girls in mind. “I think this attempt could open the minds of women,” she says. “I hope they will be inspired to know that what a man can do, a woman can do. You can dream and make your goals happen. Boundaries are there to be pushed. This is the way to go as women, to push boundaries and dream big.”

It’s Saturday morning at Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret, and Faith is doing her weekly track workout. Kenya’s equatorial sun is high and unrelenting, casting no sliver of shade over the many local and visiting athletes as they run their laps. Its intensity has baked the track to concrete. It’s serviceable and beautiful. Stopwatch in hand, coaches guide Faith through her sprints, and it’s here and now that everybody watching is reminded just how exceptional she is. Her hands pull into her chest in her familiar and highly efficient form, and she darts around the track in a blur, her stride synchronized perfectly with that of Bernard Soi, her pacer and training partner of 15 years. Even running into the wind, she’s hitting 43 seconds for her 300-meter repeats, a pace many elite male athletes spend their whole careers working toward. Her workout concludes and, visibly spent for perhaps the first time this week, she collapses on the grass, surrounded by her teammates, smiling as she gasps for air.&nbsp;

Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile — the official name of the attempt — is tempting to think of as a future moment. One day, 4 minutes, and bang. But it’s this; the attempt has already begun. It is the weekly long runs, the strength and conditioning training, the cool early mornings in Kenya’s forests and the unforgiving hot days on the track. It’s the hours spent with her team, Monday to Saturday, mopping the floors or baking fresh chapatis. It’s in the researching, the innovating, the strategizing, the planning. Most of all, it is the dreaming — the end-to-end simulation that she has run so many times already in her mind. The total confidence in her ability, her focus, her training. She has faith, and we have her.The day itself, the starting line? That is the celebration. Faith, we’ll meet you there.

Nike Announces Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile

For women, a sub-4-minute mile has long been considered not only improbable, but physiologically impossible. Meet Faith Kipyegon, the Nike Athlete who’s committed to breaking that barrier.

Faith Kipyegon Is Ready to Make History

<h3>Pushing limits. Redefining what’s possible. Owning their space.</h3>Across sports and continents, Nike athletes Dur Bali, Nader El-Jindaoui, Rouguy Diallo and Intisar Abdul-Kader have built their careers on resilience. They’ve trained through injuries, defied doubters, and carried their roots with pride — all while inspiring the next generation to chase greatness on their own terms.For these athletes, each setback was ultimately a step forward. Every obstacle, an opportunity. Here, they reflect on the moments that tested them, the rituals that ground them, and how they continue to carve new paths — for themselves and for those coming next.

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/dur8bali" target="_blank">Dur Bali</a> 21, basketball forward, Saudi Arabia, player in the first women's Saudi National Basketball CupBasketball has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was surrounded by the game, whether it was watching my grandfather or just feeling the energy of the court. The moment I truly fell in love with it was when I first played in a real, competitive setting. That adrenaline rush, the rhythm of the game, and the way everything else faded away — it felt like home.&nbsp;I knew I wanted to pursue hoops seriously when I realized I wasn’t just playing for fun anymore. I was studying the game; waking up early to train; and pushing myself beyond my limits because I wanted to be great, not just good.&nbsp;I spent some time in Colorado as a teenager, and that was a huge shift for me. Being there gave me a different perspective, not just on life but also on basketball. The game was faster, more physical, and the sheer depth of talent was massive. It forced me to elevate my game, to play smarter and tougher. At the same time, it showed me that basketball is universal, no matter where you are. The passion for the game connects people. That experience helped me develop a grittier mindset, which I carried back home with me.My grandfather was the first person to really teach me the game. He was a professional basketball player, and he always told me talent can get you noticed, but discipline and heart are what keep you in the game. On the court, he taught me patience — when to slow down; how to read defenses; and how to always play smart, not just hard. Off the court, he emphasized integrity. He would say, “The way you carry yourself outside the game reflects the player you are inside it.” That stuck with me. He showed me that being an athlete isn’t just about winning; it’s about leadership, resilience and staying true to who you are.In 2021, I suffered an ankle injury that kept me sidelined for almost a year. That was one of the hardest times in my career. Being forced to sit out when all you want to do is play messes with your mind.&nbsp;That injury taught me patience and the importance of trusting the process. I focused on what I could control: rehab, mental toughness, studying the game from a different angle. It made me realize that resilience isn’t just about pushing through pain; it’s about adapting, learning and coming back stronger.

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/naderjindaoui" target="_blank">Nader El-Jindaoui</a> 28, football right winger, Germany, newly signed with LA Galaxy&nbsp;The first time I fell in love with football was when I saw the Brazilians play — <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaZShA6wClw" target="null">Joga Bonito</a>, do you remember that? The Nike campaign from the 2006 World Cup. It meant “Play Beautifully.” When I saw them play and they played like they danced, I loved it — I wanted to be just like them. It was the beauty of the game. That was the moment I knew football was my passion. I fell in love with how they played. They inspired me.The journey wasn’t easy. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age, and the doctors told me I would never play football again. There was a two-year phase where I didn’t play at all. But I believed in myself. I did it for my family. They believed in me when no one else did. They’re the reason I never gave up. They had nothing but gave us everything. Injuries, financial problems, pressure — all those things could have stopped me, but I kept going. I wanted to help my family, to pay them back for everything they had done for me. Even when the doctors told me I couldn’t play, I held onto my dream.&nbsp;When I became a dad, “I want to make it” turned into “I must make it.” When you become a father, you do it for your children. You think you’re giving 100 percent, but when you have kids, you give 200 percent. It’s a new superpower.&nbsp;My wife — without her, I might not have achieved my goals. She is my backbone. My family is my fuel. They give me power. Without them, I would not have accomplished my goals.I’ve moved from Hertha Berlin to the LA Galaxy, and everything is new. A new culture, new language, new weather. I’m starting completely from scratch. In Germany, they say that at 28, I’m old now. But I plan to show everyone I’m not finished. That it’s not about being young, it’s about being good. That’s my mission — to show Germany, and to show the world.&nbsp;I’m nervous, I’m excited. There’s a bit of me that is scared. But I fight against it. That’s how my whole life has been. Fear is part of life. Some people told me I should stay in Germany, where it’s safe, but I don’t want to look back one day and say I didn’t try. I’m not just trying — I want to make it.

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/rouguy" target="_blank">Rouguy Diallo</a> 30, triple-jumper, France, Olympian and 2014 World Junior ChampionI’ve always been competitive. For a long time, I kept coming in second — always close, but never quite there. Then, one day, my father, who lived in Guinea, called me just before a race. He motivated me, and I won. That was the moment I realized I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is my passion, and I want to win again and again and again.I didn’t start out as a triple-jumper. I competed in many disciplines before I found my event. At 15, my main event was heptathlon. Long jump, 100-meter hurdles and the 100-meter were my favorite events. I was very versatile. Then, at the French Championships, I jumped in front of Teddy Tamgho, who was the world record holder in the triple jump at the time. He saw something in me and told me to train with him. When a world record holder tells you to train with them, you don’t hesitate. I dropped everything — the combined events, all the other disciplines — and focused entirely on triple jump.I’ve competed at the highest levels — the European Championships, the Olympics. But strangely, my proudest moment isn’t from those. It’s my victory at the 2014 Junior World Championships. It was my first international medal. Even though I’ve been in the biggest competitions, I have a hard time feeling proud if I don’t have a medal around my neck. That’s just how I am. The wins stay with me. They are my proudest moments.My career hasn’t been easy. I've had a lot of injuries. And they were big injuries. That’s been my biggest challenge. Every year, just months before a major event, something would happen. Ones that kept me from training for months. And yet, I always managed to come back, to qualify again.&nbsp;Teddy has been my biggest influence — he taught me everything, physically and mentally. He’s a master of mindset, and that’s what sets him apart from the rest. He pushed me to be stronger, to believe in my abilities and to never settle. He was very specific on every smallest detail during training. He explained that if I wanted to reach excellence, I had to be perfect. He taught me about discipline. He made me so strong technically that I knew I was in shape to perform every time. I was 100 percent confident in my skills.My faith has shaped me too. It’s what built my entire being. When I have a failure, I turn to my faith. When I have a victory, I turn to my faith. It has taught me to relax a little and leave everything in God’s hands. Whether it’s good or bad, I know it’s for a good reason.

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/intysar" target="_blank">Intisar Abdul- Kader</a> 38, marathon runner, United Kingdom, First British Somali to reach Everest Base Camp OneI just completed the final of the six World Marathon Majors, making me the first British-Somali woman to do it.&nbsp;It’s been years of training, discipline and resilience to get here, and now I've crossed the final finish line—it feels incredible.Training is always the hardest part, but I see race day as a celebration. I’ve run tough courses like Boston and New York, but I enjoyed every minute, so the difficulty didn’t bother me. Other Somali long-distance runners inspire me so much. We have incredible athletes, and being part of that legacy means a lot.I was diagnosed with MS just before starting my master’s degree. Running had always been part of my life, but that diagnosis is what led me to long-distance races. I had run in high school and college, but after that, I needed a routine. Some alone time to clear my mind. I started running longer distances. I started running 5 kilometers at my local park, then moved up to 10Ks and half marathons. It took me a year or so to be brave enough to apply for the London marathon — and I got in! It was a 10-year journey on the dot.&nbsp;In 2016, I signed up for a marathon. I got in and never looked back. Running helps me manage my MS symptoms. It especially helped me manage the fatigue, which is weird because running can also make you tired. But I was able to focus on movement as a way to combat the sudden onset of tiredness that led to balance issues and vertigo. Running gave me a sense of stability and control over something I didn’t have 100 percent control over. I also have an incredible clinical team that supports me.Beyond marathons, I took on Everest Base Camp One. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Going up wasn’t as bad as coming down —&nbsp;that was terrifying. It was slippery and freezing, and I was scared of falling. My coldest day and night was the last push to Base Camp One, and that was minus -25 degrees Celsius. I can’t believe I did that, to be honest. But reaching the top and raising my Somali flag was an incredible moment.Every year on May 18, the Somaliland government posts my picture, and it’s such a proud moment. That trek made me want to inspire young Muslim girls, to show them that their dreams are valid and the world is theirs to explore.Being a visibly Muslim runner has come with challenges. I’m so grateful for the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nike.com/t/pro-hijab-s2h3Mg" target="null">Nike hijab</a> that launched in 2017 — before that, I had to wear makeshift hijabs, and it wasn’t easy. Showing up in the right gear was hard. Even with that, I still get stares. At the 2019 Chicago Marathon, a man patted me on the head at the start line and said he liked my “headpiece.” I was shocked. I was already nervous, and then someone invaded my space. Thankfully, other runners stepped in to support me.&nbsp;That moment taught me to stand my ground. People may stare or make comments, but I refuse to let that stop me.

Across sports and continents, Nike athletes Dur Bali, Nader El-Jindaoui, Rouguy Diallo and Intisar Abdul-Kader have built their careers on overcoming obstacles. See how you can learn from their grit.

Charging Forward: 4 Nike Athletes on Resilience, Roots and Persistence

Tough.That’s how Dan Fitzgerald, Nike Run Coach and co-founder of <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/heartbreak.run/?hl=en" target="_blank">Heartbreak Hill Running Company</a>,&nbsp;describes the running community in Boston.In a city that endures some of the most excruciating winters and sticky-hot summers, local runners meet the thrills of Mother Nature with grit, passion, endurance and joy as they hit the streets to rack up miles regardless of what’s happening outside. On any given day, whether you’re running near Boston’s South End or its Esplanade, you’ll encounter dozens, if not hundreds, of fellow runners along the way –– rain or shine, sun or ice. “Tough” is a testament to the conditions people endure, says Dan, but also the strength and dedication it takes to run paths like Heartbreak Hill, an iconic incline on the city’s marathon route that tests body and mind.Together with Nike, Heartbreak has created running experiences that range from training runners for marathons to celebrating the culture of the sport through art, music and food in their physical stores in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://about.nike.com/en/stories/where-to-run-in-chicago" target="_blank">Chicago</a>, Boston and, soon, Los Angeles, where Heartbreak will open a new store this year. The thread that connects everything together: If you run, you belong.And while, yes, running in Boston may be tough, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. You’ll discover beautiful views, historic streets and a passion for sports that feels second to none. Below you’ll find routes and recommendations from Nike Run Coach Dan and other diehard runners at Heartbreak that will help you make the best of your time in Beantown.

The Iconic Boston Short Run

Enjoy Boston’s Esplanade, a public park inspired by the waterways of Venice. Cross over the Longfellow Bridge to Cambridge past MIT and take in sweeping views of boats on the Charles River, the skyline and all the charms of a small city. Boston’s tight geographic footprint is an advantage when you can take it all in on a 4-miler. “I love this route — it’s super cool to see how many people are constantly running when you go more central-downtown,” says Cate Schultz, who runs regularly with the Heartbreakers and is training to run Boston in 2025. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.strava.com/routes/3334359954614945098" target="_blank">Run this route</a>

The Medium Run Along the Esplanade

Call this the full tour of the city’s downtown neighborhoods. You’ll get the South End (not Southie, but you’ll also go by there), the waterfront, the North End, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Garden (home of the Celtics), the locks at the end of the Charles River, and Charlestown with views of MIT, then you’ll gallop across the Back Bay. You can say you’ve seen the heart of Boston running if you rock this one.“Plenty of bridges let you control the distance, and you get that sweet mix of cityscape and nature,” say Rafe and Taylor Ann Gangi, a married couple who runs with Heartbreak, about the Esplanade route. “There are always a ton of other runners out there too, which is encouraging.” <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.strava.com/routes/3334350772419107602" target="_blank">Run this route</a>

The Firehouse Long Run

This is Heartbreak Hill Running Company’s signature route. A test and measure of distance athletes, the Firehouse is now the foundation of Heartbreak’s training journey and looms large in the lore of the team, the Heartbreakers. According to Nike Run Coach Dan: “It’s been a training cornerstone for legends like Bill Rodgers, my college distance runners, and all of the athletes training for Boston with us every weekend all winter long.”<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.strava.com/routes/3211325185747312776" target="_blank">Run this route</a>

Recharge Like a Local: Flour Bakery & Cafe

If you’re looking for the best pastries in Boston, Heartbreak runners tell us this local franchise is the spot –– and they say their coffee is clutch too. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/flourbakeryandcafe/?hl=en" target="_blank">Flour Bakery &amp; Cafe</a> has nine locations throughout Boston for you to stop by after a morning run. Pro tip: Don’t leave without trying the blueberry toaster pastry.

Recharge Like a Local: Toro

Located in Boston’s South End, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/toroboston/?hl=en" target="_blank">Toro</a> offers delicious tapas to refuel after any type of run. Toro’s menu includes everything from traditional small plates, like patatas bravas (fried, mildly spicy potatoes) and pan con tomate (bread with tomato), to a big paella that will ensure you get the protein and carbs you need after logging big miles.

Get routes and recs that highlight beautiful views, historic streets and the sports atmosphere that makes the city vibrate with energy.

How a Professional Runner Helps Pace for Record Times

How Steve Prefontaine Set the Pace for Nike

The Women Creating a New Running Culture in India

To Kevin Durant, the Right Platform Creates Greatness

In Conversation: Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge and Track Star Faith Kipyegon

Faith Kipyegon Is Ready to Make History

Charging Forward: 4 Nike Athletes on Resilience, Roots and Persistence

A Local’s Guide to Where to Run in Boston

Grassroots to Greatness: Paige Bueckers on Her Rise to the Top

From Race Day to Every Day: How Nike Reimagined Performance Jewelry

Inside Sabrina Ionescu’s Trailblazing Tour Through Asia

R9 on Becoming Your Heroes