EXCLUSIVE: Olympian Allyson Felix Talks Saysh’s Newest Launch, Supporting Female Athletes + What’s Next
Saysh is doubling down on its Evelyn runner with its latest launch.
The footwear brand, founded by five-time Olympian Allyson Felix and her brother and business partner Wes Felix, on Tuesday launched four new colorways of the sneaker style, including Thompson’s Point in off-white and mint green, Duck Fat with bold orange and blue tones, Abbott Kinney blending blue and pink, and Vail in a crisp all-white.
For Allyson, the expansion of the Evelyn is more than just a product launch. “The Evelyn represents our commitment to honoring women through thoughtful design, powered by performance,” she told FN in an exclusive interview. “It’s not about being trendy; it’s about making women feel seen, supported, and strong in whatever moment they’re in.”
And this is just part of the reason Felix – who won 11 medals during her time as an Olympian – called the Evelyn her “everyday go-to” shoe. “Honestly, it’s the shoe I live in,” she said. “Whether I’m running to a meeting, chasing after my kids, or just getting things done, it’s the one I reach for. We created it for women who do it all—and the colorways are a way to celebrate that.”
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After a public split with Nike in 2019 due to frustration with the Swoosh’s policies for pregnant women and mothers, decorated runner Allyson Felix and her brother decided to launch Saysh, a “by women, for women” shoe brand focused on building communities.
Since its launch in 2021, the brand owner has introduced the Saysh One, Two, and the Felix Runner, with each shoe marking a different moment in her footwear journey.
“What I’ve realized is that each style has grown with me—and taught me something in the process,” Allyson said. “The Saysh One taught me what it meant to start, to step out with purpose even when things were uncertain. The Felix Runner reminded me I could still push myself and perform at a high level, even after everything I’d gone through. And the Evelyn has shown me that ease, comfort, and support aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities.”
And the Felix siblings aren’t stopping at just shoes. Last year, the duo, along with sports executive Cosette Chaput, cofounded Always Alpha, a sports management agency to get female athletes better deals and representation.
For Allyson, she calls Always Alpha a “continuation of the broader mission” that Saysh also serves: to support women in real, meaningful ways.
“Our mission is to back women who are driving change, whether they’re breaking records on the track, building businesses, or speaking out on the issues that matter most,” she said. “Through this work, I’ve seen incredible athletes set new standards for what women can achieve. But the challenge remains: the industry is still slow to fully embrace and invest in women athletes, especially when they step beyond the lines of their sport into motherhood, activism, or entrepreneurship.”
Allyson added that while the agency is still new, one of the most “powerful moments” so far was ringing the closing bell at Nasdaq in celebration of International Women’s Day last month.
“It was surreal, standing there not just as an athlete, but as a woman leading a movement for change,” she recalled. “That moment felt like a true reflection of everything Always Alpha stands for – empowering multifaceted women who are breaking barriers in sports, business, and beyond.”
Last year also saw Allyson help launch the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village in Paris so competing moms could have a dedicated space to care for their babies. The move helped her become a newly elected member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
Allyson called the appointment a “true honor.”
“As someone who’s lived the athlete experience, I believe deeply in the importance of having that perspective represented when big decisions are being made,” she noted. “My main focus is listening—really understanding what athletes need and advocating for initiatives that make a meaningful difference.”
As for Saysh, expect to see the footwear company in more spaces this year. The brand is set to launch in Dick’s Sporting Goods and will appear within the retailer’s House of Sport locations.
What’s more, the brand is gearing up to launch a new performance product in the fourth quarter of 2025. While no details are available yet, Saysh noted that the upcoming launch “underscores its ongoing commitment to enhancing women’s athletic performance and comfort.”
“Our motto is perseverance and strength—and right now, those qualities are more relevant than ever,” Allyson added when acknowledging the current political climate. “We’re navigating the storm and standing strong in it, united.”
