For Olympic athlete Allyson Felix, sharing her story with her hometown of Los Angeles was a special moment — one that filled her with pride, knowing everything she accomplished happened right where she grew up.

“When you have roots somewhere and you have all the personal stories that my mom has shared, it just feels like there is a deeper appreciation because we’ve sat in the seats you are in and grown up here, there’s just something about coming home,” Felix said.

Even when her voice shakes, Felix continues to share her story openly, understanding that what she has experienced as a female athlete fighting for women’s and maternal rights for mothers is bigger than herself and can impact others. Realizing how many women could relate to her journey, she embraced the importance of vulnerability and using her voice to create change.

Felix said she believes it is important to be open and vulnerable about those experiences because doing so can serve a greater purpose, whether that means bringing attention to maternal health or highlighting the challenges female athletes have faced.

The documentary that centers on Felix, titled “She Runs the World,” highlights her life and career as the most decorated female Olympic athlete, having won 11 Olympic medals, seven of which are gold. The film not only showcases her success on the track, but also her ongoing battle with Nike, one of her most prominent sponsors, as she fought for a fair contract after becoming a mother — a process her brother Wes helped navigate.

Felix built a career centered not only around track and field but also around advocating for women’s and maternal rights, regardless of what was at stake. From experiencing preeclampsia to feeling the need to hide her pregnancy out of fear of losing sponsorships, Felix remained committed to speaking out against systems that failed to support female athletes. Her advocacy led to meaningful change, including Nike implementing 18 months of protection for athletes who become mothers.

Family has always been an important aspect of Felix’s life — from major races to everyday milestones, including her college graduation.

“It’s who you make your family, it’s the friends who are in your life, it’s the professors and the people who pour into you, if you can create that system, no matter what you go into or choose to do, we all need help,” Felix said.

Her mother, Marlean Felix, emphasized the importance of sharing your story, even when it feels difficult, because of the impact it can have on others.

Marlean said she feels an overwhelming sense of pride and joy that both of her children were given the grace, courage, and determination to accomplish this. 

Even after retiring, Felix continues to reflect on the mindset that carried her through her career — one rooted in consistency, resilience, and showing up even when it is difficult to.

“There are days that felt hard, there are days where it felt like, am I ever going to have a breakthrough?” Felix said. “I would say it’s all about the consistency, it’s all about showing up even when you’re not seeing the progress.”

That same mindset extends beyond athletics, something her brother Wes Felix emphasized when speaking about the challenges of being a student-athlete and preparing for life beyond sports.

Wes said he now sees this stage of his life as preparation for what comes next, and believes the effort someone gives now reflects how they may show up later in their career, relationships, and other areas of life. He said fully showing up means giving your best in every phase. 

Felix’s story is not just about medals or records — it is about resilience, advocacy, and the willingness to speak up, even when it is uncomfortable to do so. And as her journey continues beyond the track, the impact of her voice continues to unfold.