Olympic Medalist, Felix Shares Triumphs and Defeats at Mind Over Matter Speaker Series

Watch the replay of the "Mind Over Matter" conversation online.

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Nov. 17, 2021) – Allyson Felix is a five-time Olympian, earning a record 11 medals, in addition to other world and national championship awards, but those prized possessions don't even reside in her own home. "My parent's keep them. I think they like to brag a bit,” she jokes. But it’s no wonder they want to brag, she’s an incredibly accomplished athlete and businesswoman.

Felix sat in conversation with entertainer, philanthropist and alumnus, Terrence J (Jenkins), Nov. 16, for the Chancellor’s Speaker Series, “Mind Over Matter,” at North Carolina A&T State University.

While discussing her phenomenal track and field journey, Felix transparently revealed that although she holds the record for the most Olympic medals, there have been many low points in between.

“I went to my second Olympics. For me it felt like a rematch…It was different from the first. There were expectations. I wasn’t the underdog. I was going in as the favorite. I ran my heart out and I get another silver medal [losing] to the exact same person. I was devastated,” she said. “I went through a dark period. I wasn’t sure if it was ever going to come together for me.”

Felix says she leaned on her family and friends who lifted her up and encouraged her to keep pushing.

“It might sound crazy, but when you want to accomplish something that is super ambitious, not everybody understands that. Not everybody has that same journey. And that’s fine; but I think you have to stay committed to that goal. And I think sometimes it’s good to be disappointed when you miss that mark.” A healthy sense of disappointment is often beneficial, she said.

As she sets records on the track, Felix is exploring and making her mark as a businesswoman with her own lifestyle shoe line for women, Saysh. Additionally, she continues to advocate for women.

Talking about the lack of support she received from a former sponsor, Felix did what she felt in her heart. “I was in a position to be able to stand up and talk about it and stand up on behalf of a lot of women,” she said. “There’s still a lot to be done. This is a special time for women in sports. We’re speaking our truth. There’s power in the collective.”

View the livestream of the conversation online.