The Olympic Spirit — and How You Can Tap Into It | Allyson Felix | TED

Allyson Felix's Advocacy for Athletes and Mothers

• Allyson Felix, a former Olympic track and field athlete, is attending the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris as a spectator.
• She is particularly impressed by the women's gymnastics team, who won gold, and the swimming events.

Allyson Felix's Advocacy for Working Mothers in Athletics

• Allyson Felix has been a vocal advocate for working parents, particularly mothers, in athletics.
• She has observed a shift in attitudes towards working mothers in sports, with more support and resources becoming available.
• Felix highlights the establishment of the first nursery in the Olympic Village as a positive step towards creating a more inclusive environment for parent athletes.

Allyson Felix's Advocacy for Women's Sports and Maternal Health

• Felix believes that the increased visibility of female athletes is a positive development, but acknowledges that more work needs to be done to ensure that all women's sports receive equal attention and support.
• Felix emphasizes the importance of addressing the Black maternal mortality crisis, which disproportionately affects Black women.
• She attributes the crisis to a combination of factors, including implicit bias, lack of attention to Black women's concerns by medical professionals, and policy shortcomings.
• Felix stresses the need for action to address the crisis, noting that the situation is worsening and that preventable deaths are occurring.
• Allyson Felix received a $20 million grant from Melinda French Gates to advance women's health, specifically focusing on Black maternal health.

Allyson Felix's Role in the International Olympic Committee

• Felix is campaigning for a seat on the International Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission, which represents athletes' voices and concerns.
• The Athletes Commission played a role in establishing a nursery and family space at the Olympics, which Felix advocated for.
• Felix aims to continue advocating for the expansion of the family space and address issues like doping, fair play, and the impact of global events like the Russia-Ukraine conflict on athletes.
• Felix believes the Olympics should better reflect the realities of athletes' experiences, including those from conflict zones and refugee backgrounds.
• The creation of a refugee Olympic team allows athletes displaced by conflict to compete under a unified flag, highlighting the global challenges faced by athletes.

Mental Health and Pressure in Athletics

• The pressure to perform at the highest level can be overwhelming for athletes, especially when they are expected to consistently achieve superhuman feats.
• This pressure can lead to mental health issues, particularly when athletes experience setbacks or fail to meet expectations.
• Athletes are increasingly speaking out about their mental health struggles, and there is a growing awareness of the importance of prioritizing mental well-being.
• Simone Biles' decision to step away from competition in Tokyo to prioritize her mental health is a positive example of this shift in perspective.
• The pressure to succeed can also contribute to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, as athletes seek shortcuts to achieve their goals.
• The culture of perfectionism and the pressure to win at all costs can create an environment where athletes feel compelled to cheat.
• It is important to recognize that athletes are not immune to the same challenges and struggles as everyone else, and they deserve support and resources to address these issues.

The Importance of Support Systems and Self-Care

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care, grace, and seeking help when needed, particularly for athletes who are navigating significant life changes, such as motherhood.
• The speaker believes that the culture of perfectionism and the pressure to win at all costs contribute to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, and that athletes are not always solely responsible for their choices.
• The speaker highlights the role of coaches and support systems in influencing athletes' decisions and the importance of creating a culture that prioritizes ethical behavior and mental well-being.
• The speaker discusses the importance of recognizing athletes as human beings and the pressure they face, particularly in the context of the Olympics.
• The speaker emphasizes the need to address the culture of pressure and expectations placed on athletes, including the role of spectators and social media.
• The speaker highlights the importance of supporting athletes' mental health and providing them with the resources they need to cope with the demands of their sport.
• The speaker encourages athletes to embrace the training process and to find joy in the journey, emphasizing the importance of self-care and listening to one's body.
• The speaker stresses the importance of support systems, including family, friends, and coaches, in helping athletes navigate the challenges of their sport.
• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about her experience with injury and the importance of having a strong support system to help her through difficult times.
• Allyson Felix emphasizes the importance of having a supportive team, especially during challenging times like injuries. She credits her team for helping her overcome a devastating injury and still achieve success at the Olympics.

Allyson Felix's Transition from Athlete to Businesswoman

• Felix believes that the Olympic athletic world needs to provide more resources for athletes, including access to therapy and mental health support. She highlights the need for coaches to be trained in dealing with the mental health challenges athletes face.
• Felix acknowledges the difficulty of transitioning from professional athlete to a new career path. She describes her own experience as "rocky" and emphasizes the sense of loss and loneliness that can accompany this transition.
• Felix believes that the training and adversity she faced as an athlete have prepared her for the challenges of her new career. She emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective and the belief that she will eventually find success in her new endeavors.

Allyson Felix's Definition of Success

• Allyson Felix believes in breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. She applies this approach to both her athletic career and her business endeavors.
• Felix's definition of success has evolved over time. Initially, she focused solely on winning, but after facing adversity, she realized her purpose extended beyond athletic achievements. She now defines success in terms of purpose, impact, and creating change.
• Felix acknowledges the added pressure she faces as a Black female athlete, recognizing the importance of representation and the potential disappointment she might feel if she doesn't meet expectations.

Allyson Felix's Inspiration and Legacy

• Felix encourages young people to pursue their passions, whether they are athletic or not. She believes the Olympic Games inspire individuals to strive for excellence in their chosen fields.
• The Olympics highlight the fact that success is rarely a straight path, but rather a journey with ups and downs, which is a universal experience.
• The Olympics showcase the hard work, struggles, and tears that athletes endure behind the scenes, reminding viewers that success is not just about the glory moments.
• The Olympics can inspire people to pursue their dreams and make an impact in their own communities, even if they are not elite athletes.
• The Olympics provide an opportunity to see people from different countries and cultures, fostering a greater understanding of global issues and human experiences.
• The Olympics can inspire change in areas such as conflict resolution, sustainability, and global poverty by highlighting the human stories and struggles of people from diverse backgrounds.
• The Olympics can challenge viewers to consider the different perspectives and priorities of people from less privileged backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of national pride and representation.
• The speaker believes that interacting with people from different parts of the world has made her more empathetic and aware of various issues.
• She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in her work and highlights the need for family spaces at sporting events.
• The speaker advocates for childcare at all major sporting events, citing the example of the tennis circuit.
• She expresses her desire to continue supporting female athletes with children and believes that childcare should be a standard across all sports.
• The speaker is passionate about maternal health and believes that policy changes are crucial to support women in this area.
• She acknowledges the importance of voting in the upcoming election and emphasizes the need for people to show up and make their voices heard.
• The speaker believes that her success has given her a platform to advocate for change and that she wants to use her influence to make a positive impact on others.
• She feels a responsibility to use her platform to address issues like gender equality, women's rights, and maternal rights.
• The speaker was inspired by Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a phenomenal athlete and person, who sparked a desire to give back to the community.
• The speaker's parents, a pastor and a teacher, also inspired her with their service to others.
• The speaker believes that sports can be a way out and a way to bring attention to difficult situations, especially in countries with limited support for athletes.
• The speaker believes that the Olympics highlight issues and bring attention to areas that might otherwise be overlooked.
• The speaker is excited about the equal number of men and women participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics, hoping it will inspire young girls and boys to see women excelling in sports.
• The speaker hopes that her children will find their own passions, whether in sports or other areas, and will be supportive of their choices.
• The speaker acknowledges the challenges of track and field and wants to protect her children from the difficulties she faced.
• The speaker is passionate about the lasting impact of her work and its potential to inspire others.
• Allyson Felix hopes that her work will empower people, both athletes and non-athletes, to feel empowered in their own lives.
• She hopes that her work will inspire people to have conversations about maternal health, share their stories, and amplify them.
• She hopes that her work will encourage people to push the limits of what is accepted and to create change.
• She believes that there is momentum for change and that people should keep pushing forward.