One of the most decorated track and field Olympians in history, Allyson Felix is making big moves off the track, too. It all started when a major corporation tried to exploit her – so she hit them where it hurt.
In 2018, Felix wanted to extend her Nike contract, but instead they placed major restrictions on her and even cut her pay by 70%!
Why would they do this when she was a highly marketable world champ at her sport? Because she wanted to have a family.
Women athletes have countless struggles to endure – even a 1 or 2 year break to focus on family often means the end of their careers.
Instead of letting Nike put in her ads supporting women’s empowerment while they were being unsupportive of her pregnancy, Felix left Nike completely! And what she did next shows her class and character.
Felix started her own shoe brand, Saysh – made by women, with women in mind. Saysh empowers us while we fight for justice – and gives us cute shoes to wear while doing it!
Even better? After the backlash, Nike announced new family protections for its athletes, and other big shoe brands followed suit.
Felix refused to let herself be exploited – and not only is her own brand incredible, athletes at other companies are benefiting from her fight!