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Amplify with Jess EkstromMaking It with Jess Ekstrom is a top rated business podcast designed to help you amplify your ideas, influence and income. Author: Jess Ekstrom
Making It with Jess Ekstrom is a top rated business podcast designed to help you amplify your ideas, influence and income. We have a special focus on amplifying women's voices, but this show is open to everyone. Tune in every other Tuesday to hear from Forbes Top Rated Speaker, Jess Ekstrom as she talks to speakers, authors and entrepreneurs who are crushing it in their own way. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Making It at 40: Allyson Felix on Rewriting the Narrative, Maternal Health Advocacy, and Founding Saysh
Episode 10
Tuesday, 16 June, 2026
In this special live episode of Making It with Jess Ekstrom, recorded in front of a live audience at Mic Drop Live, Jess sits down with Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete of all time. While her medal count is legendary, her true legacy lies in her resilience off the track. Allyson opens up about her bold decision to train for the LA 2028 Olympics at age 40, defying societal expectations for women in their 40s. She shares the raw details of navigating a traumatic pregnancy, being dropped by a major sponsor, and turning that adversity into a powerful crusade for maternal health protections for female athletes. Plus, Allyson pulls back the curtain on the world of entrepreneurship, explaining why she and her brother co-founded Saysh—a footwear brand explicitly designed to fit the unique anatomy of the female foot.Episode HighlightsDefying Age Narratives: Allyson discusses her decision to train for the LA 2028 Olympic team at 40, challenging the traditional limits placed on women as they age.Finding Your Voice as an Introvert: How a self-described quiet people-pleaser evolved into one of the world's most outspoken advocates for working mothers.The Turning Point with Nike: The painful reality of being offered a 70% pay cut after becoming pregnant, and how it sparked a New York Times op-ed that forced corporate policy changes across the industry.Overcoming a Traumatic Birth: Allyson reflects on her severe preeclampsia diagnosis, her daughter's month-long NICU stay, and how the experience amplified her passion for addressing maternal health disparities for women of color.The Reality of Being a Founder: Why being a female founder is harder than running the 200 meters, overcoming imposter syndrome, and facing the harsh statistics of venture capital funding.The Gender Bias in Footwear: Uncovering the industry secret that most major brands design women's athletic shoes using molds of men's feet, and how Saysh is changing the game.Redefining "Making It": How Allyson’s definition of success shifted from winning singular gold medals to creating lasting systemic impact and having the courage to try.About Our GuestAllyson Felix is an iconic American track and field athlete and the most decorated competitor in the sport's history, holding 11 Olympic medals. Beyond her unparalleled athletic achievements, she is a fierce advocate for maternal health, gender equality, and working mothers. Following her historic break from Nike over pregnancy protections, she co-founded Saysh, a community-centered footwear brand that designs athletic shoes specifically engineered for the female form. Allyson continues to break barriers as an entrepreneur, activist, and mother.Resources & Links:📖 Making It Without Losing It by Jess Ekstrom: Available now — USA Today bestseller🎤 Mic Drop Workshop: micdropworkshop.com — helping women become seen and paid as thought leaders📸 Follow Jess on Instagram: @jessekstrom🎙️ Making It with Jess Ekstrom: Subscribe + leave a review wherever you listen
