logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
9m 37s

An Olympic champion's unwavering advocac...

TED
About this episode

Getting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the "kiss of death" -- a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entrepreneur and proud mother Allyson Felix thinks it shouldn't be that way. She tells the story of starting a family while fighting to change her former sponsor's maternity policy -- and paving the way for others to get greater protection and more support. Her message is a testament to the power of believing in and advocating for yourself. "You don't have to be an Olympian to create change for yourself and others," she says. "Each of us can bet on ourselves."

Vote for our show in the Signal Awards for Most Inspirational podcast!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Why the future is human ... plus AI | Sal Khan and Esther Perel
As AI reshapes work, school and love, what part of being human can't a machine take over? In a wide-ranging conversation, psychotherapist Esther Perel and TED's vision steward Sal Khan provide their unique takes on the answer. From personalized learning and AI companions to "emot ... Show More
23m 39s
Yesterday
The three words that saved my life | Blake Mycoskie
On paper, Blake Mycoskie is a glowing success story: he founded TOMS Shoes, building a global brand that has given away more than 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. Yet despite his success, his struggle with depression nearly cost him his life. In this personal talk, ... Show More
18m 48s
Oct 8
How imaginary worlds help kids learn | Anna Rainio
All children develop at different paces — so why do schools expect every student to learn the same way? Early education researcher Anna Rainio introduces "playworlds," a learning activity where adults and kids create imaginary stories together. She shows how pretend play helps st ... Show More
17m 42s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
An Olympic champion's mindset for overcoming fear | Allyson Felix
Getting pregnant as a track and field athlete is often called the "kiss of death" -- a sign your athletic career will soon end. Olympic champion, entrepreneur and proud mother Allyson Felix thinks it shouldn't be that way. She tells the story of starting a family while fighting t ... Show More
10m 30s
Oct 2023
Olympic Gold Medalist Allyson Felix and Wes Felix
Allyson Felix has more Olympic medals than any other track and field athlete in U.S. history, including a walk-off Gold medal win in her last Olympic Games. But her greatest triumph may have come off the track, as she fought for the maternal rights of female athletes. Allyson and ... Show More
41m 22s
Mar 2023
Why I Was Forced to Hide My Pregnancy
<p>Women are often forced to believe they have to choose between their career and motherhood and are told that they can’t have both. Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field olympian of all time, joins Call Her Daddy to share her story and explain that you CAN hav ... Show More
24m 13s
Mar 2022
Women in the Workplace (w/ Allyson Felix)
This week, Chelsea is sitting down with Allyson Felix – the most decorated U.S. track and field athlete of all time. They talk about Allyson’s journey to Olympic and World Championship gold, her decision to become an advocate for herself and others, and what needs to happen next ... Show More
33m 32s
Jun 2023
Allyson Felix: Success Doesn't Always Mean the Gold Medal
<p>The Summit of Greatness is back! Buy your tickets today – <a href="https://www.summitofgreatness.com/">summitofgreatness.com</a></p><p>Today we sit down with Allyson Felix to discuss her remarkable track and field career and her impact beyond the sport. As the most decorated A ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 2021
Allyson Felix on defeating disappointment and savoring success
At the age of 18, Allyson Felix took home the Olympic silver medal in the 200 meter dash. She was devastated. Where others saw “second-best in the world,” she only saw “not first.” That race lit a fire that would carry her on to become the most decorated track and field athlete i ... Show More
55m 1s
Dec 2019
Jessica Ennis-Hill
As an heptathlon Olympic champion and one of the key faces of the London 2012, Jessica could have packed it all in as soon as she decided to have a baby. But then she came back, to further medal-winning glory. In this chat with Fearne, she reveals how she did it, what she learned ... Show More
44m 31s
Sep 2025
Denise Lewis on feeling professional isolation after becoming a mum
Olympic champion, presenter and author Dame Denise Lewis joins us this week for an inspiring chat about balancing ambition and career with motherhood. Denise discusses the lack of support she experienced in the sporting world when she became pregnant at the peak of her career. Pl ... Show More
1h 3m
Oct 2021
ReThinking: Allyson Felix on defeating disappointment and savoring success
At the age of 18, Allyson Felix took home the Olympic silver medal in the 200 meter dash. She was devastated. Where others saw “second-best in the world,” she only saw “not first.” That race lit a fire that would carry her on to become the most decorated track and field athlete i ... Show More
55m 1s