She may have retired, but Allyson Felix isn’t going away. The former Olympian is busy building her brand and even making plans for Paris in 2024.
The past year has marked a significant change for Allyson Felix. Revered for her impressive speed on the track, Felix retired from competitive racing after the 2022 season. The Los Angeles native walks away from the game as the most decorated woman — and American — in Olympic track and field history, having earned 11 total medals from five consecutive Olympic Games.
But even in retirement, Felix is keeping busy. In this new era, the 37-year-old is staying in shape while shifting her focus.
“Everything used to revolve around training in my life, and now I’m doing so many other different things that it’s not the priority that it used to be,” Felix told Boardroom. “But it is important to me and it makes me feel like myself. So I have to schedule time for that in my day, but it looks a lot different. I still love to be on the track, but I started taking tennis lessons and I’m doing some Pilates, so just really switching it up and finding new ways to move my body.”
In addition to reclaiming her time, Felix has taken on a number of entrepreneurial endeavors that keep her busy. Prior to her retirement, she launched the running shoe and apparel company Saysh with her brother in 2019.
Get on our list for weekly sports business, industry trends, interviews, and more.
“There are so many ups and downs in the world of entrepreneurship,” she said, “and I think that represents the perseverance and determination of an athlete. I’ve dealt with numerous injuries and disappointments, and I think that’s really helped adjust my perspective as I am entering into the business world. Of course, there are going to be hardships, but it’s really just how you navigate it.”
Additionally, while her time on the track may have come to an end, she’s taken on a new role in the run-up to her hometown of LA’s 2028 Olympic moment. She was tapped to join the Athletes’ Commission, for both the local games and the IOC.
Time Tested
Felix has also maintained a number of brand partnerships, including one with OMEGA.
Felix joined fellow Olympic medalists Noah Lyles, Nathan Chen, and Oksana Masters last Friday for a discussion at the opening of the Planet OMEGA Exhibit at the Chelsea Factory in New York. OMEGA has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, and the Official Timekeeper of the Paralympic Games since 1992.
With a gold-winning figure skater and another who has gold hardware in biathlon, cycling, and cross-country skiing, will Felix capitalize on her abundance of time by learning a new sport?
“I don’t think figure skating is my strength,” she joked, adding, “but I would love for my daughter to experience it. I need to ask Nathan for tips and tricks on how to get her started. That’s definitely not the gift that I have, but maybe. You never know.”
Chen would be the perfect person to consult. The Salt Lake City-born athlete has won three medals in figure skating at the Olympic Winter Games – including a gold in Beijing last year. As for Lyles, he took home the bronze in the 200m event at Tokyo 2020 and three gold medals at the 2023 World Championships. As Lyles and Paralympian Oksana Masters continue training for Paris next summer, Felix shared whether she has provided any helpful advice to either of the two.
“I think Noah’s well on his way,” she said. “He has so much personality and fun energy that that’s always exciting for the sport. I love being around Oskana. She’s just such an inspirational person in and outside of sport, and so I’ve been able to get to know her, and I think she’s just really special. I’m excited to be able to cheer all of them on. It’s quickly approaching.”
Is Allyson Felix Headed to Paris?
We’re months away from knowing which athletes will represent their respective countries in Paris next year. However, is there a chance Felix could parlay her experience on the track into an analyst role?
“I’m definitely open to the possibilities and excited to have a presence in Paris, so I’m still figuring out exactly what that will look like,” Felix teased, adding that she’ll “be around” in Europe next July and August.
In the meantime, Felix is focusing her attention on being a mom to five-year-old Camryn and running Saysh. Felix teamed up with her brother, Wes, to start the company in 2020 and the pair has since brought on investors Athleta and IRIS to raise $8 million in its Series A round last year.
“I’ve been blessed to be part of some of the most incredible teams in the world, and so bringing that experience to my business has been really helpful as well. I’m excited for the future and just motivated by our mission and excited to just see us show up more.”
Read More:
