How I Built This with Guy Raz

HIBT Lab! Saysh: Wes and Allyson Felix

Mar 16, 2023

Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track athlete, shares her inspiring journey alongside her brother Wes, as they discuss creating their women's footwear brand, Saysh. They delve into the challenges of negotiating contracts while balancing motherhood and sports ambitions, particularly her break from Nike over inadequate maternal protections. The duo also highlights their mission to revolutionize women's footwear, tackling issues like industry neglect and fostering inclusivity, all while celebrating resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.

50:32

Episode guests

Allyson Felix

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

Balancing Dreams: Athletes' Dual Journeys

12min

Embracing Growth: The Journey of Building an Athletic Brand

5min

Navigating Contracts and Motherhood

14min

Launching a New Path: The Birth of Saysh

4min

Revolutionizing Women's Footwear

12min

Empowering Women Through Thoughtful Footwear

5min

Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field athlete of all time. She’s also a mother. Those two identities came into conflict in 2018 when negotiating a contract renewal with her shoe sponsor, Nike.

Ultimately, Allyson broke ties with Nike because the new contract presented a significant pay cut and lacked adequate maternal protections. After struggling to find a new shoe sponsor, Allyson and her brother/agent, Wes, decided to take matters into their own hands and start their own shoe company, Saysh.

This week on How I Built This Lab, Allyson and Wes talk with Guy about their journey to the top of the track and field world, the decision to leave Nike, and how they built the iconic shoe that Allyson wore during her gold medal performance at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Plus, why most name brand shoes aren’t designed for women’s feet, and how Saysh is working to change that.

This episode was produced by Chris Maccini, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.

Edited by John Isabella, with research help from Lauren Landau Einhorn.

Our audio engineer was Alex Drewenskus.

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