Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy
"The Kiss of Death. Absolutely. So in track and field, in our contracts are performance based. So basically you go to the Olympics, you go to World Championships, you get a medal, you get a bonus. But if you go and you don't, you get a reduction. And if you have a baby, there's nothing in place to protect you from that." — Allyson Felix
"It's so insane to hear it because I understand men will never understand this and it's like one of the greatest gifts in life is getting pregnant and being able to bring a life into this world and to be penalized for it." — Alex Cooper
"I just I always get fired up but I think becoming a mom has changed me in like just so many different ways I think I'm learning so much I'm I had to just stop being like so rigid with like schedule and just you know I think I'm just enjoying as well like being present." — Allyson Felix
The episode features an in-depth conversation between host Alex Cooper and Olympic track and field icon Allyson Felix, focusing on the significant challenges female athletes face concerning maternity rights and career security. Felix recounts a particularly difficult period early in her career where she hid her pregnancy due to fears about her sponsorship contract, highlighting how pregnancy was often perceived as the "Kiss of Death" in track and field due to performance-based contracts that offered no protection for new mothers. This led to women being pushed out of the sport or forced to conceal their pregnancies to maintain their careers.
Felix's advocacy work, notably an op-ed in The New York Times, played a pivotal role in reshaping policies within the athletic apparel industry. Following her public stance, Nike revised its maternity policy to offer 18 months of protection for female athletes, and other companies followed suit. Felix reflects on the personal and professional toll of this fight, including parting ways with Nike and the immense fear associated with challenging a major brand. She emphasizes that her motivation shifted, driven by the desire to create a better future for her daughter and other women.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Felix shares her perspective on redefining personal worth, especially for women, and discusses her new ventures, including her brand Sage, which focuses on footwear designed for women, and her podcast. She articulates a hope for a future where women do not fear starting a family due to career implications, advocating for agency and support in both professional and personal lives, and encouraging listeners to believe in themselves and advocate for change.