By D’Shonda Brown ·July 8, 2021July 8, 2021
Allyson Felix is the definition of living life in the fast lane. The nine-time Olympic medal holder broke Usain Bolt’s record for most won gold medals in world championships but is using speeding into a new avenue called fashion and entrepreneurship. Now, ahead of the 2021 Olympics, Felix has launched SAYSH, her very own footwear brand for women following her separation from Nike. With her brother Wes and business partner Darren Breedvelt by her side as co-founders, the three SAYSH starters raised $3 million in seed funding.
“It’s important to be seen in products and to know that you have been thought of, and that you’re not an afterthought,” Felix told ESSENCE about the significance of creating shapewear made specifically for Black women’s bodies. “I think a lot of times, especially as women of color, that has been the case for us, and we’re really the really changing that idea.”
Not only is the record-breaking star the most decorated woman in American track and field history—who also scored a World Championships silver medal at just 18 years old—but she is a mother to her daughter Camryn. Following her near-fatal birthing experience and an emergency c-section at 32 weeks, Felix attempted to rekindle her partnership with Nike while advocating for the protection of new and expecting mothers. The brand, in turn, offered her a 70 percent pay cut, according to Because Of Them We Can.
Now, Felix refuses to stay silent and uses her platform to fight for women in sports and set the example for young Camryn that Black women deserve to be protected and served equally.
Ahead, ESSENCE spoke with Felix about her new life target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener” aria-label=”balancing motherhood (opens in a new tab)”>balancing motherhood and mental health as an athlete and her thoughts on seeing young Black women participate in this year’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
ESSENCE: Tell me about the inspiration behind SAYSH.
Allyson Felix: It was really born out of my own experience facing gender inequalities throughout my career, and then getting to a point where I didn’t have a footwear sponsor. I didn’t have shoes to wear in the Olympic trials or the Olympics. I was talking with my brother and we were like, “Well, what if we created our own and did this on our own?” Then it became a much bigger thing than that.
It was really about wanting to do something for women, meet them where they are, and provide shoes that have typically been made with a man’s foot in mind. Doing that for women, but also bigger than that, just wanting to be able to make something for that person who feels overlooked. This idea of wearing the shoe is a bold sign that you stand for change.
ESSENCE: After your 2019 break up with your Nike sponsor, how does it feel to be your own boss and the president of SAYSH while having complete creative control over your product?
Felix: I feel really proud. With everything that I went through, I never would have imagined in those really dark moments that I would be here and that I would be doing this. It’s a really incredible feeling. When I was walking out at the Olympic trials to compete and I’m wearing my own shoes, it’s just like, “Wow. This is pretty amazing.”
Photo courtesy of SAYSH
ESSENCE: As an athlete, what’s the importance of good footwear?
Felix: It’s incredibly important as an athlete. The racing spike that we made really embodies everything that this brand stands for, and so it was great to be able to bring that to life. The SAYSH One sneaker is really a lifestyle sneaker. It’s really about meeting women where they are. I believe that as women, we’re doing a lot in our days. We are sometimes doing errands, at work, or running after kids, and we’re really meeting her where she is. This is a shoe that can take you throughout your whole day.
ESSENCE: How did you feel after qualifying for your fifth Olympics following your 400 rally?
Felix: It feels amazing. It has been such a journey to get to this point. I think I had a lot of doubt along the way, just because of all the hardships and then the pandemic. It just seems like things were coming at all angles. To be able to finally get through that race, and it was secure that I was on the team, I was just very relieved and had a lot of joy.
Allyson Felix for SAYSH | Photo courtesy of SAYSH
ESSENCE: mental wellness?
Felix: I was super proud of Naomi Osaka. I was disappointed with the situation that she was put in, but I’m really proud of her for standing up for herself and bringing this conversation to the forefront. I think we’re talking about it a lot more and really reexamining some of these systems that have been in place for so long, and seeing if we are doing things the best way.
ESSENCE: How does it feel to see so many young Black women take over this year of the Olympics?
Felix: I’m loving it. It has been incredible to see so many young Black women shine across all sports and sports that we’ve been underrepresented in like swimming. Seeing Simone Manuel, obviously
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