“Robbed of the Experience”: Allyson Felix Speaks Candidly About the Horrors of Choosing Between Motherhood and Athletics

One of the finest mantras that Allyson Felix once quoted and lives by is “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” In athletics, Felix has always been seen as a fearless figure, particularly because of her audacious actions and open discussions around motherhood.

During her 19-year-long professional career, Felix also stood against an offer from the sportswear behemoth Nike over 70% reduced salary during her pregnancy year. Felix’s ‘maternity protection’ fight changed the sports world back then and now she reminisced about her previous maternity experiences during a recent magazine feature.

Allyson Felix recounts the horrid experiences

The ten-time U.S. national champion and 11X Olympic medalist from five Games is regarded among the top contenders in Team USA. However, the multi-distant sprinter shared what goes on behind the scenes in an Instagram post feature for @womenshealthmag with the caption, “@allysonfelix posted a candid message about the realities of being a professional athlete and new mom.” 

The post coincides with Felix’s time expecting her second child as she flaunts her huge baby bump while thinking back on her previous pregnancy with her daughter. Facing trouble landing a sponsorship contract with other shoe companies after her well-publicized departure from Nike in 2019, Felix launched her own brand “Saysh” before the Tokyo Olympics.

When giving birth to her first child, Felix was diagnosed with Preeclampsia, which put her and her child’s lives in jeopardy. Her doctor informed her about the issue when she was thirty-two weeks pregnant and suggested premature delivery by C-section right away. After the surgery, the athlete recovered in the hospital for eight days while her daughter was admitted to the NICU for a month.

Updates on Instagram

Now that she is getting closer to giving birth to her second child, the mama-to-be has been sharing the excitement with her fans online. In December 2023, Allyson Felix made her pregnancy public with a photo on Instagram showing off her growing baby bump along with her first daughter and husband.

In the Instagram video, she commemorated the “milestone” with her daughter Cammy’s early time in the NICU. Experiencing the new joy to the fullest, she wrote, “Celebrating every milestone! …. Counting each day a huge blessing.” As the Felix family prepares to welcome more happiness into their life, the multi-talented athlete continues to remain committed to her strong beliefs inspiring others along the way.

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