allyson felix

Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field athlete of all time. She’s also a mother. Those two identities came into conflict in 2018 when negotiating a contract renewal with her shoe sponsor, Nike. 

Ultimately, Allyson broke ties with Nike because the new contract presented a significant pay cut and lacked adequate maternal protections. After struggling to find a new shoe sponsor, Allyson and her brother/agent, Wes, decided to take matters into their own hands and start their own shoe company, Saysh. 

This week on How I Built This Lab, Allyson and Wes talk with Guy about their journey to the top of the track and field world, the decision to leave Nike, and how they built the iconic shoe that Allyson wore during her gold medal performance at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Plus, why most name brand shoes aren’t designed for women’s feet, and how Saysh is working to change that. 

This episode was produced by Chris Maccini, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.

Edited by John Isabella, with research help from Lauren Landau Einhorn.

Our audio engineer was Alex Drewenskus.

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Today we sit down with Allyson Felix to discuss her remarkable track and field career and her impact beyond the sport. As the most decorated American Track & Field Olympian, Felix retired in 2022 with an astounding thirty-one global medals and multiple world records. The episode highlights her groundbreaking achievements at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where she not only won medals but also made history by wearing racing spikes from her own lifestyle and footwear brand, Saysh. 

Felix's commitment to promoting change, equity, and acceptance for women and girls is evident as she runs in her own spikes, challenging the status quo. The episode also discusses Felix's advocacy for maternity rights, including her public call-out of Nike for its lack of protections for pregnant athletes. The public response to Felix's stance brought attention to pregnancy discrimination in athletics and sparked a conversation.

Alongside her sponsor Athleta, Felix created the Power of She Fund: Child Care Grant, supporting mom-athletes with childcare during the Olympics. Additionally, Felix's passion for children extends to her involvement with the Right To Play board, where she raises awareness for underserved children in developing regions. The episode concludes by mentioning Felix's current residence in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter, showcasing her balance between family and her impactful pursuits.

In this episode you will learn,

• How to stay motivated and push past obstacles to achieve your goals, both in your personal and professional life.
• What drives the most decorated American Track & Field Olympian in history to continue breaking records and pushing the boundaries of her sport.
• How to bridge the gap between athletics and advocacy. 
• The defining moment when Allyson realized the impact she could make went far beyond winning gold medals.
• How to balance being a dedicated athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate while also prioritizing your role as a mother and wife.

For more information go to www.lewishowes.com/1456

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