?Had the Nickname Chicken Legs?: US Olympic Legend Allyson Felix Reveals How She Was Bullied as a Student for Being Too Thin

Olympic star, Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field athlete. Allyson broke the barriers of society, to mark her place on the top, and dominate the sport for over decades.

However, it was not a cakewalk for Felix from the start of her career. Opening up about the dark days of her childhood, Allyson revealed the heartbreaking experience of being bullied in school.

Allyson felt like she did not fit in the athletic world

Watching Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and other track and field legends, people develop the conception that athletes need to have a muscular body. However, there is no standard body type for being an athlete.

Opening up about the horrors she faced during her high school days, Allyson revealed how people tried to pull her down based on her body type.

“In high school, I had been teased about my really skinny legs and had the nickname chicken legs and went through all of that. I think it was always expected that my body would look a certain way and I don’t feel like I fit into that mold,” Felix said.

She further added, ”I was more slender and I didn’t have the same muscle build as a lot of the other athletes. And so I went through a period of feeling like I didn’t really fit in with what traditionally it should look like.”

Allyson Felix overcame the criticism to embrace her talent

If young Allyson had accepted what society tried to enforce on her, the world would not have witnessed the incredible run of the 11-time Olympic medalist. Notably, Allyson is the American track star with the maximum number of Olympic medals, surpassing legendary Carl Lewis.

Allyson embraced her body, accepted her slender legs, and worked on the gift of running she had. Today, Allyson is an idol for women athletes out there, as she has not only commendably dominated the Olympic world but also balanced her life as a mother and as a businesswoman. She is truly an extraordinary example of breaking the barriers and stereotypes of society to achieve your dreams.

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