The retired track and field star discusses how she's staying busy both as a mom and an advocate, as well as her status as a "snack hero."
Gold Medalist Allyson Felix Talks About Motherhood and How She’s Still Using Her Platform
Published on May 09, 2025
As the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, Allyson Felix knows a thing or two about hard work. Beyond her astounding 11 Olympic medals (seven of which are gold), she’s also been vocal as an advocate for moms. In 2019, she testified before Congress, sharing her experience with preeclampsia and discussing the Black maternal mortality crisis in the United States.
That same year, she also stood up to the brand Nike, a longtime sponsor of hers. She wrote a column for The New York Times, in which she detailed wanting better athlete salary protections surrounding pregnancy. A short time later, the company officially announced a new policy.
Felix retired from competitions in 2022, and as an on-the-go mom of two—and with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommending that most kids have a snack or two a day (depending on factors such as age and activity levels)—Felix knows the challenge of keeping kids happy, fed, and full of important nutrients. She’s recently partnered with the yogurt brand Danimals as part of their “Snack Hero” program aimed at helping parents in a snack time pinch.
Ahead, Felix speaks with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest about the campaign, what retirement has looked like for her, and the advice she has for moms.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Allyson, you have been such a champion for women everywhere. We admire you so much! We know you have a documentary coming out later this summer about your career and advocacy. Can you give us a bit of a sneak peek on what it’ll cover and where people might be able to see it?
Allyson Felix: I’m really looking forward to finally sharing [the] documentary “She Runs the World” with the world—it will be premiering at Tribeca Film Festival this summer. It was such a rewarding experience being able to tell the story of my fight for maternal protections from my perspective—it’s about courage, transformation, and the power of standing up for what’s right.
The Healthy: The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028. Though it’s still three years away, what are you looking forward to when it arrives, especially as it relates to Team USA or women athletes?
Allyson Felix: From a personal perspective, I’m really excited that The Games will be coming to my hometown of LA—and even more excited about the opportunity to bring my daughter now that she’s at an age where she can really understand what’s going on and get into it all. I worked on the bid to get the Games back in LA and on the IOC Athletes’ Commission [and I’m] excited to be a voice for my fellow athletes. It is so amazing to see that for the first time, the Summer Games will feature more women athletes than male athletes in Olympic history! Women are leading the charge and I am so excited to see the talent develop and more women taking space in the sports industry.
The Healthy: What has life looked like since you retired in 2022? Was it an easy or difficult transition as you left your competitive career and moved into the next phase of your life?
Allyson Felix: It certainly has been a transition, but I’ve loved getting to shift gears into focusing my efforts into other passions of mine, while continuing to be an advocate and supporter of women and mothers everywhere. I’ve loved to also get to really dedicate more time and effort into my role as a mother, supporting them in their activities, school events, and showing up for them in the way that they need me, but it’s been harder than I imagined—motherhood is a rewarding, yet exhausting job—and I praise all the moms out there for doing it all because I know it’s not easy!
The Healthy: Can you tell us a bit about your new partnership with Danimals and what drew you to it?
Allyson Felix: My partnership with Danimals is super authentic for me. As a busy mom, I know the first thing my daughter asks for when I pick her up from school or an activity is a snack…and I always want to have something easy on-hand that I can feel good about, so Danimals, which is packed with calcium and vitamin D that kids need, is a go-to in my family. Together, we’re launching the Snack Hero offer to help parents nationwide be the “snack hero” in their own home. Starting May 1, parents can order Danimals on Instacart using the code SNACKHERO-15 to get $15 worth of snacks on Danimals to help solve snack-time emergencies when they’re in a pinch. I know how hard it is to always have those snacks on hand you can feel good about giving your kids—and that they’ll be equally as excited about—so I’m thrilled to get to partner with Danimals to help parents in this way.
As part of the partnership, I got to surprise the LA Jets—a local youth track and field club in my hometown of Los Angeles—with some post-practice Danimals. It was so fun to see how excited they were about all the smoothies and pouches, each with their preference on flavor (I know my daughter loves the strawberry!) and many coming back for seconds and thirds!
The Healthy: We know you’ve been a fierce advocate for mothers, and Mother’s Day is happening soon. As a mother of two, what’s a message you would want to pass to other moms out there?
Allyson Felix: Just that they should be proud of all they do every day! I’m no stranger to hard work, grueling long days, and having to persevere through tough times, and even I can say motherhood is one of the more difficult things I’ve endured. But it’s also the most rewarding.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?
Allyson Felix: My daily gratitude journal!
The Healthy: Finally, what’s your favorite comfort food?
Allyson Felix: Homemade tacos, and I make a pretty good pico de gallo salsa as well!
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
