Deep Dive with Allyson Felix on Speaking Up

Kelly Corrigan (0:00)

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Welcome to Kelly Corrigan Wonders. I'm Kelly Corrigan, and today I'm wondering what it takes to speak up when everything is on the line. This is the second episode in our March series called Women of Consequence, made possible by a grant from Ingeborg Initiatives. We're looking at the ways women navigate and reshape the world. Today I'm talking with Allyson Felix about breaking records, severing ties, and what it means to build a business on the principle of community over competition. Which is interesting because Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field Olympian in history. She has 11 medals. She's also the founder of Seish, a footwear and lifestyle brand which includes running shoes built specifically for women's feet, which I learned is surprisingly rare. Many people know Allyson's name, not just for her athletic achievements, but for what happened when she got pregnant while sponsored by Nike. After nearly a decade with the company, Nike offered her a new contract at 70 percent less than her previous salary. When she disclosed her pregnancy, it became clear that she'd face further reductions if she didn't perform at the same level upon her return. Allyson asked for one thing, protected time to recover from childbirth without penalties. Nike refused to set that precedent for all female athletes. So, Allyson went public with the New York Times op-ed, risking everything. And three months later, Nike changed its maternity policy. Here is my conversation with Olympian Allyson Felix. So, little Allyson Felix in South LA is watching the Olympics on television in 1996, and you see some gymnast. Take us to that moment.

Allyson Felix (4:25)

Yes, I see Dominique Dawes, and she just fascinates me, just blows me away. I see her competing, and she looks like me, and I just relate to her.

I don't know, I was just drawn to what she was doing. I had no idea that I would be an athlete or anything of that nature. I just thought she was incredible, and she was very inspiring, and it's a moment that I never forgot, watching her compete.

Kelly Corrigan (4:51)

And consequently, you started pricing out balance beams. I mean, that's insane.

Allyson Felix (4:57)

I don't know who I thought I was.

Kelly Corrigan (4:58)

That is so phenomenal. Like, your parents must have been like, guess what she's doing now?

Allyson Felix (5:02)

Yeah, they were confused, that's for sure. And also, I didn't have that much money in my piggy bank to put a balance beam in our backyard or any lessons, but I was very ambitious, I guess.

Kelly Corrigan (5:17)

Do you still kind of thrill at the sight of gymnasts? I do.

Allyson Felix (5:21)

I do. It's always, you know, just so much fun. This past Olympics, I got to see, take my daughter to see Simone Biles compete, and I don't know who was having more fun.