In “She Runs the World,” Allyson Felix’s prominent baby bump makes an early appearance. Allyson, the most decorated track athlete globally, is 32 years old and expecting for the first time in 2018. She directly addresses viewers, sharing her hopes for what her story conveys – a narrative about balancing family life while thriving professionally, and the challenges the sports industry poses for female athletes regarding parenting choices.
Felix, with her hair styled high and a radiant grin, remarks, ‘I find it exciting when others doubt my abilities.’ She’s dressed in a dark gray T-shirt emblazoned with the word ‘Equality’ in golden letters. ‘Then I’ll prove to you that I can,’ she adds confidently.”
“Felix, her hair pulled back and smiling brightly, states, ‘It’s thrilling when people think I can’t do something.’ She’s donning a dark gray T-shirt with the word ‘Equality’ shimmering in gold. ‘But,’ she continues, ‘I will demonstrate that I can.'”
Both versions aim to maintain the original sentiment and tone while using simpler, more conversational language.
The documentary titled “She Runs the World,” directed by Perri Peltz and Matthew O’Neill, belongs to a group of films focusing on the lives of top female athletes while emphasizing themes such as equality and fair pay. Similar productions include “LFG” (highlighting the fight for equal pay by the National Women’s Soccer Team) and “Sue Bird: In the Clutch” (covering the WNBA and its iconic point guard, who is also an executive producer in this film). As Felix pointed out in a New York Times opinion piece, the sports industry remains predominantly male-dominated. Following closely on the heels of a Times investigative report about Nike’s treatment of female athletes, Felix penned her op-ed “My Own Nike Pregnancy Story,” questioning the company’s commitment to maternity protections given her status as one of their most prominent endorsers.
Through what means did Felix achieve prominence as a worldwide representative of the brand? The initial stages of “She Runs the World” provide an answer to this question, all the while maintaining its broader objectives concerning motherhood and employment within society.
It might astonish viewers, even her high school track coach, to learn that Felix’s involvement in track and field seems almost accidental. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t a childhood aspiration, she reveals. Home videos suggest a carefree youth deeply connected to the church. The film, much like Felix herself, doesn’t entirely reveal the source of her determination. Initially, the first part of the documentary could be mistaken for a simple portrayal of an exceptional athlete, complete with that elusive factor that can never be fully explained. There are key elements at play: her close-knit and loving family — Marlean, an elementary school teacher, and Paul, a pastor— their faith, and the protective care of her older brother Wes.
As a cinephile looking back at my high school years, I found myself growing more focused on my inherent skills. By the age of 17, I was breaking records left and right. Instead of attending the University of Southern California’s team, I opted to leap straight into professionalism. My first Olympic medals, won in Athens and Beijing, were not moments of unbridled joy for me: I am a perfectionist, and they were silver medals.
Discussing the factors behind Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s exceptional performance on the track, as well as the difficulties she encountered when deciding to start a family: Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the Olympian, and her coach, Bob Kersee.
At the beginning of Allyson’s professional journey, Wes takes on the role of her representative. The relationship between the Felix siblings in “She Runs the World” is one of the most captivating and emotional storylines, providing a compelling narrative thread. Nike expresses interest in Allyson, and they propose a new campaign titled “The Girl Effect.” The contracts for track athletes can be quite detailed, setting clear performance benchmarks. Achieving medals can lead to bonuses, while failing to meet these targets may result in penalties.
Before winning a gold medal at the Olympics, Felix decides to work with renowned track-and-field coach Bob Kersee. This decision leads to her winning not just one, but multiple golds at the London Olympics. Everything is going smoothly in her life, and she and her husband Kenneth Ferguson are considering starting a family. (The emotional moment when Ferguson wiped a tear during their wedding vows shows his deep affection for Felix.)
I didn’t let a significant setback, such as tearing my hamstring or ankle ligaments, halt my training or victories. I continued to emerge victorious. Therefore, when the unexpected happened with the new Nike contract—a substantial reduction was proposed instead of what I had anticipated—it came as quite a shock. As Pat Connoly, my former coach, put it, “All the images, all the photos, all the medals had already been earned.” The medals were essentially already hanging around Nike’s neck. I was seen as a Nike commodity.
During these intense contract negotiations, my partner Kenneth and I discovered that I was pregnant.
In the movie, arguments over contracts become less important once Allyson encounters difficulties. Notably, “She Runs the World” has similarities with other sports documentaries about women, as well as the 2022 documentary “Aftershock,” which focuses on Black maternal healthcare and is co-directed by executive producer Tonya Lewis Lee. The film takes a compassionate approach when Felix requires an emergency C-section.
In May 2019, an article by Felix was published in The New York Times. A few months after this, Nike introduced a new policy providing protection for pregnant athletes. Other businesses subsequently adopted similar policies, but negotiations between Felix and her brother and the company were still ongoing. As Marlean Felix, her mother, explains, it would have been simple to continue as a Nike athlete with all its benefits. However, one of the key themes in “She Runs the World” is that Allyson Felix doesn’t settle for easy options. This depiction showcases a world-record holder who transformed into an influential advocate.
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2025-06-11 08:46