In the world of sports, where strength, skill, and determination matter most, Allyson Felix stands out. She’s known not only for her incredible speed on the track but also for her courage and leadership off it. As the most decorated American track and field athlete in Olympic history, Felix has achieved more than just medals she’s helped create real change for women everywhere.

In 2018, after Allyson Felix announced she was going to have a baby, she was shocked when Nike, her long-time sponsor, offered her a new contract with 70% less pay. The message was clear they saw her as less valuable because she was becoming a mother. For someone who had worked hard and stayed at the top of her sport for years, it was a painful reminder that women are often mistreated when they start families.

What made things worse was when someone told Allyson Felix to “know her place and just run.” But she didn’t stay quiet. Instead, she spoke out against the unfair treatment of women athletes. She ended her deal with Nike and shared her story.

Allyson felix speaks out against nike, still without a sponsor

Allyson Felix’s pregnancy was extremely challenging. She was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and had to undergo an emergency C-section at only 32 weeks. Her daughter, Camryn, was born tiny and fragile, spending more than a month in the NICU.

As Felix recovered from surgery and cared for her newborn, she pushed herself to train harder than ever. She wasn’t just focused on returning to competition she wanted to prove that being a mother and competing at the highest level could go hand in hand.

After leaving Nike, Allyson Felix made a bold move by teaming up with Saysh, a shoe brand created by women, for women. Saysh wasn’t just about making shoes; it was about fairness, representation, and changing the game in both sports and business.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Felix wore her own Saysh shoes. She was 35 years old and a new mom, but that didn’t stop her. She won her 11th Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated American track and field athlete in history.

Felix’s impact went beyond winning medals and building her own business. She teamed up with Pampers to help create the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village. This gave athlete moms a safe and supportive place to care for their children while they competed.

Her fight made big companies like Nike change how they treat pregnant athletes. She opened doors for other athlete moms and inspired many women to believe they can follow their dreams without giving anything up.
Now that she’s retired from racing, Felix continues to make a difference through her work in business and by speaking up for others. Her voice is strong, and her goal is clear to make sports and the world a better place for everyone.