Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast – Allyson Felix

There has been a common?set of?themes?among the 2023 keynotes at the Global Produce & Floral Show: Innovating?for a better future,?and change coming from?within. We all bring our own unique insights, expertise, passion, diversity, and questions to the forefront.?

?

This year’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast kicked off on Saturday, Oct. 21st?with?the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award being?granted to 2023’s winner, Raina Nelson.In her acceptance speech, Nelson said she knew she had to take a stand in her career, and thought of?the paths, moments, and tears that led her to this honor.?“It’s the small moments that build lives,” she?told the audience, setting the stage for the morning’s final keynote.

?

Allyson?Felix, the most decorated American?track?and field Olympian?(with 31 medals!), entrepreneur, and founder of Saysh, took to the stage to share her journey,?surviving adversity, and serving as a voice for female athletes.?

?

Believe it or not, she originally wanted to pursue basketball when she was a student.?But, in finding out that she was?an?“unexpectedly fast”?runner, she knew she had found the sport that made her feel alive.

?

Felix’s definition of success changed over the years. Originally, she thought she would aim for a college scholarship. But when she found herself at the Olympics at age 18,?she was searching for a path to?reach?gold.?

?

In both 2004 and 2008, she won silver medals.?While her family convinced her that?coming in second for her first Olympic venture was no small feat, she was devastated and embarrassed the second time around.?This time, she had sponsors and higher expectations, and this represented a dark time for her.

?

Her perspective began to change?as the 2012 Olympics approached. She realized that her opportunity only existed every?four years.?Felix?took a deeper look at her training?and?preparation,?and?had a new perspective for what was to come. She thought, “If this is for me, it will be for me.” And sure enough, she won gold! But it wasn’t what she pictured, and life?outside the Olympics was still the same. It was a lot to unpack.?

?

Despite her athletic accomplishments,?Felix?had wanted to be a mother – something that wasn’t exactly supported?among track and field athletes. Instead of celebrating her gold medal victory,?Felix?found herself?in the midst of?difficult renegotiations with Nike?and hiding a pregnancy, which found her training at 4:00 a.m.?

?

The isolating situation?forced her to?take action. Finding the lack of maternal protections for her industry unacceptable,?she wrote an op-ed in the?New York Times, expressing?her thoughts and experiences.?This was the only beginning for her, as she found herself empowered to use her voice to?continue to better the lives of others around her.?

?

She signed a new sponsorship deal with?Athleta, and was given a seat?at the table, which gave her a perspective on the decision-making processes of running a business. At the same time, she was unable to find a?pair of shoes to wear for the next Olympics, and so her brother suggested that she create her own pair.?

?

Wondering how she could run a company as a new mother and the COVID-19 pandemic?turning the world upside-down, she realized, “We’re the ones to create change, rather than relying on others.” And?so?her company, Saysh,?makes shoes for women, molded to their feet. The current industry standard?models?women’s shoes?from men’s feet, sizing down and adding feminine colors to appeal to female shoppers.?

?

Once again,?Felix’s perspective evolved. Her life?purpose?was no longer about running?fast or obtaining?records, but?creating impact.?Having competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she said her motivations were no longer medal-related, but?representation.?As a mother, her placenow is “literally, in her own shoes,”?and she cannot wait to tell her daughter how she inspired her to find her voice.

?

“Empowered women empower,” she stated, and “once you make it, you need to reach down and help someone else.”?Crediting her brother once again, she realized she could use her voice, even if it shakes.?There is more work to be done, but if we start in our own circles,?create a plan, and take small steps,?we will be?able to impact?and support others.?There is no perfect time to start, so why not today?