Scariest Moment of My Career

Introduction

• October 2018, dark morning.
• Professional athlete, intense training schedule: 6 days a week, 5 hours a day.
• Training at 4 a.m. due to fear of being discovered.

The Secret

• 6 months pregnant, scared to reveal pregnancy.
• Fears:
  • Sponsors might withdraw support.
  • Potentially losing athletic career.
  • Pressure to choose between motherhood and athleticism.

The Perception of Pregnancy in Sports

• Pregnancy in track and field viewed negatively.
• Witnessed respected teammates hiding pregnancies.
• Women face gut-wrenching decisions balancing health and career.

Critique of Current System

• Criticism of the sponsorship model.
• Companies claim women can have it all, but this is often not true.
• Discussed Nike's "Girl Effect" initiative promoting women's empowerment.

Personal Experience with Sponsorship

• Difficult renegotiation with Nike during pregnancy.
• Offered 70% less pay before announcing pregnancy.
• Sought contract clause for maternity protection, but only received limited agreement.

Taking a Stand

• Nike wanted to feature me in a commercial despite their policies.
• Wrote an op-ed in New York Times about maternity policies.
  • Impacted maternity protections in sports.
• Nike now offers 18 months maternity protection.

New Sponsorship & Advocacy

• Left Nike for a new sponsor, Athleta.
• Collaborated to challenge childcare policies for athletes.
• Raised $200,000 for childcare support for female athletes.

Achievements Post-Pregnancy

• Returned to the Olympics, won gold and bronze medals.
• Became most decorated American track and field athlete.
• Founded "Saish," a footwear brand for women.

Lessons Learned

• Realized power of voice and self-belief.
• Importance of not rebuilding the broken system post-pandemic.
• Encouraged everyone to bet on themselves and create change.

Conclusion

• Fear can be an invitation to create change.
• Acknowledge fears, brave them, and fight to move forward.
• Change is possible, and worth the struggle.