TeamNL top player visiting
He is a ten-time world champion (!). And as part of ‘The Bullet Train’ he won Olympic gold twice, including last summer at the Olympic Games in Paris. During his impressive career he has won countless gold, silver and bronze medals all over the world. Not bad for a boy from Nijverdal who started his cycling career on a BMX and even had doubts about a top sports career at the time.
Talent, hard work and a winning mentality ultimately made him a very successful athlete.
Meet…
Of course we are talking about ‘the Hulk’, or Jeffrey Hoogland. Successful track cyclist and part of TeamNL. What many people do not know is that Jeffrey (31) started his cycling career on a BMX. From the age of four, Jeffrey stood next to his brothers on the BMX track at FCV de Lochsprinters in Nijverdal. Everything had to make way for the young and very fanatic Jeffrey, because he had only one goal: to reach the Olympic Games. And he succeeded! Even if it was not on the BMX, but as a successful track cyclist.
After years of being at the top of BMX, several injuries and setbacks followed each other. This also had an impact on Jeffrey’s motivation. But after the surprising switch to track cycling, the motivation and drive to perform and reach the Olympic Games is back again. With the many titles and medals as the best evidence.
Welcome to FYEO
Did you know that it is always very warm in the sports hall during bale cycling? This is not only to keep the athletes’ muscles supple, but also to reduce air resistance and optimize the track surface. All this to promote speed and performance. A major disadvantage, however, is the dry air that is created by the heat in the hall. This quickly causes dry eyes and, especially if you wear contact lenses, this can cause eye irritation. This also happened to Jeffrey Hoogland, who often had problems with his eyes at the end of training and competition days and often exchanged his lenses for glasses in the evening.
The problems with his dry contact lenses, also in combination with increasing hay fever complaints, brought Jeffrey to the team doctor of TeamNL. The team doctor quickly pointed Jeffrey to the collaboration between FYEO and TeamNL, because what if you don’t need glasses or lenses to see well? That sounded like music to Jeffrey’s ears and an appointment was quickly made for a preliminary examination at one of the FYEO clinics.
Personal advice and tailor-made treatment
After an extensive preliminary examination and a consultation with one of the ophthalmologists of FYEO, treatment for Jeffrey was not a problem. Together with the doctor, the best possible treatment was looked at. Not only for his eyes, but also a treatment that fits his active lifestyle. A quick recovery is important for Jeffrey in connection with his training schedule. Good vision is essential to be able to perform at maximum, because even in track cycling everything revolves around details.
In his spare time, Jeffrey also likes to go skiing and has a passion for motocross. Here too, he often experiences problems with his contact lenses. Reason enough for a treatment at FYEO and so an appointment was scheduled.
What a relief
The day of the treatment at FYEO went smoothly and quickly. Jeffrey was healthily tense upon arrival, but was quickly reassured by the FYEO staff. He went to the operating room full of confidence and immediately after the (Relex Smile) treatment the result was immediately visible. Within a few days Jeffrey was back on his bike and could resume his training, but this time without lenses.
After a few weeks, we asked Jeffrey how he was doing now and how he likes life without glasses/lenses. Surprisingly enough, he didn’t immediately start talking about the benefits during sports, but it’s the little things that make a big difference. “Waking up with good vision is wonderful. You’re immediately on and can start your day right away. Your mind is fresh”, says Jeffrey Hoogland. He also emphasized how quickly good vision becomes self-evident once you’ve been treated.
The future looks bright
After a short rest period, Jeffrey is already busy training again and working hard on his (basic) condition. He is now focusing on the World Championship in Chile (October 2025). Now that he is no longer bothered by his lenses (or glasses), he expects that this will only benefit his performance.
But before that happens, he also goes on a winter sports holiday and a motocross race in France is on the agenda. With this active lifestyle, everything becomes easier and more fun without glasses and lenses. Although it turns out that the real happiness of good vision without glasses or lenses is hidden in the small moments, even for a top athlete like Jeffrey.
We will contact Jeffrey again soon to ask how he is doing.
As official Eye Care Supplier of TeamNL, FYEO has already treated dozens of top athletes. You can read more about it on our TeamNL page .