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This is how Allyson Felix used her infamous fallout with Nike in 2017 as fuel to achieve two big milestones in her career.
Allyson Felix is the most successful American track and field athlete, having won seven Olympic gold medals and 14 world titles since taking part in her first Olympic games in 2004.
In so doing, she has surpassed the record set by Usain Bolt of 11 World titles which he set in 2015, and even though the Jamaican legend has eight Olympic titles which makes it a total of 19 wins, it is two short of Felix’s 21.
But that was not the only thing she managed to achieve from leaving Nike. She was also able to launch Saysh, her new shoe company she co-founded with her brother, Wes Felix in 2021.
Saysh wasn't just a business venture; it was born out of necessity and conviction. The decision to start her own company stemmed from an incident during her pregnancy when Nike, her former sponsor, sought to reduce her compensation.
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In a now-famous New York Times Op-Ed, Felix candidly detailed her experience, sparking a pivotal shift towards activism.
Reflecting on her decision, Felix remarked, "I had gone to four Olympics, I was a six-time Olympic gold medalist (at the time of her fall out with Nike). And it just felt like—at that level—if you cannot ask for this and get it, then who is going to be able to do it?"
This pivotal moment marked a transformation for Felix, from a reserved athlete to a vocal advocate.
"Putting really strict requirements on our returning to competition takes away from out mothering. It can jeopardize our health," she told the publication in 2019.
The lack of protections hit especially hard for Felix who experienced complications when giving birth to her daughter, underscoring the realities of the Black maternal healthcare crisis.
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With Saysh, Felix set out to challenge the status quo. One glaring revelation was the industry norm of designing women's shoes based on a male model's feet.
Determined to address this disparity, Saysh shoes are meticulously crafted to fit the unique contours of a woman's foot.
Moreover, the company implements a progressive policy: if a customer's foot size changes due to pregnancy, they receive a complimentary pair in their new size.
For Felix, Saysh represents more than just a business venture; it's a fusion of commercial ambition and personal mission.
Drawing from her own harrowing experience during childbirth, she's committed to improving maternal care, particularly for Black women. Felix believes her new platform can extend the impact she made on the track to broader societal issues.
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"I think athletes in general are more empowered to use their voice," Felix asserts. "They’re not staying just in one box anymore. We’re breaking out and we’re talking on issues that we’re passionate about and we’re seeing the impact."
Since its debut, Saysh has only offered lifestyle shoes, but that changed in September 2023 when it debuted a running shoe specifically made for women: "The Felix Runner."
Recognizing the anatomical disparities between male and female feet, Felix emphasizes the necessity for shoes designed to fit the female form.
She spent over three years developing Saysh shoes, incorporating features like nitrogen-infused foam soles and stability-promoting laces. Despite retiring from competitive running, Felix remains dedicated to growing Saysh as a purpose-focused brand, emphasizing its impact beyond footwear.
"It's much bigger than sneakers," Felix remarks. "We're very community-based. We're about bringing women together, learning from each other, having something to offer each other."
Choosing to create Saysh as an independent venture rather than partnering with major corporations, Felix highlights the brand's story and maverick spirit, resonating with customers.
She sees Saysh as filling a "competitive void" in her life post-retirement, akin to Serena Williams' evolution from tennis.
Looking ahead, Felix plans to continue supporting women through Saysh by donating to relevant initiatives and providing childcare at athletic events.
In essence, the "Felix" isn't just another performance running shoe—it's a symbol of empowerment, created by women, for women. Available in three colorways, it retails for $165.
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