>> We're here with super mom
Allyson Felix, the most
decorated track and field
athlete in the world.
>> Aah!
>> It's exciting, because we're
officially one year away from
the Tokyo Olympics on NBC.
Allyson, you and Scott were
supposed to be there right now.
How are you doing?
>> Oh, it's such a crazy
feeling, you know, really just
shifting everything, but
I'm excited that, you know, it's
still happening.
You know, goals are still there
and we're still pushing forward.
>> I feel like it's also as a
trained -- I'm gonna say you're
body is like a machine.
>> Yes.
>> And you, in particular,
because you are able to, like,
do things that nobody else on
this planet can do, when you
heard that the Olympics were
gonna be delayed, postponed,
for you, is that like, "Okay,
cool, I've got more time to
train" or are you like, "I was
just dialed in"?
>> Yeah, I mean, my initial
feelings was just
disappointment, because like
you said, everything is so, you
know, down to the second of
getting ready.
And so to have that shifted, it
was difficult.
You know, I had to go through a
process of shifting and all of
that, but then I just had to
make the conscious decision to,
like, focus on the positives and
to look at it as, yes, I have
more time to get stronger and
just to get more prepared.
>> My favorite thing, among
many, about you, Allyson, is
that you're a mom.
How do you juggle all that time,
especially mentally, not only
physically?
>> Yeah, I mean, it's definitely
challenging.
I think it's like any working
parent, you know?
It's like trying to figure out
how do you do all this together.
Thankfully I have an amazing
family and support system.
My husband has just made a world
of difference, so it's a team
effort and we just -- we do it
together.
>> What advice did Serena give
you about coming back after a
baby?
'Cause I know she's spoken about
it for her.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, I mean, I think the
biggest thing was just being
able to watch it happen.
You know, being able to see her
do it and come back.
I think a lot of times mothers
are made to feel that once they
a child that some of their best
years are behind them and that
they're not capable.
But I think if we're supported,
we can have some of our best
performances still.
And so being able to watch her
do it and continue to do it has
really encouraged me that it
might take time to get back to
where you're trying to go,
but you can definitely do it.
>> We have had whole family
I'd say cheering sessions
watching you run in the past.
Like, you get -- It's like you
get on the blocks, and we're
like, "Oh, snap.
It's about to go down.
It's about to go down."
What is the thing that just
continues to drive you year
after year, event after event,
to continue to push your body
this way?
>> I mean, it's always been my
goals.
I love to challenge myself and
always, you know, see -- push my
own limits.
But I have to say, after the
birth of my daughter, she has
given me a whole different
motivation and a different
drive.
You know, I want to be a good
example for her, but I also
wanna show her what hard work
looks like and what it feels
like to overcome adversity, and
she's been on this journey with
me.
She's helped me, you know,
become more of myself and find
my voice, and so it's really a
different type of motivation
beyond, you know, just going
after gold medals.
>> Allyson, can we peep this
necklace?
Can we peep this necklace real
quick?
Can you just come closer?
Can we just...?
It's the Olympic Ring-- Look,
I'm all like this.
"It's the Olympic Rings."
[ Laughter ]
>> Yes, yeah.
A little piece of the Olympics
that I hold with me.
>> How was your body after baby
and training?
'Cause I think a lot of women,
unfortunately, when they have to
take their maternity leave, they
worry about -- they know
there'll be a place for them,
but will they really -- will
somebody else step in?
What is that like as an athlete?
>> It's the same exact
experience.
You know, as an athlete, you
know, you don't really get a
maternity leave, you know?
You're constantly trying to
figure out, well, how can I come
back just as strong, if not
stronger?
And so it was a trying
experience.
I had a really difficult birth
and I had emergency C-section,
and so I had a big recovery
process, and so I really had to
be kind to myself and understand
that it's gonna take time,
and, you know, it's gonna be a
process.
And it has been, but right now,
I feel more like myself than
ever before and so I just feel
really encouraged.
>> You know, you are not only a
world-class athlete, but you are
also an activist and you are
not -- you don't operate in this
vacuum of sports.
But really also taking on the
mantle of being vocal about the
things you see, the injustice
that you see in your community.
How has it gone for you --
because I mean, I can imagine
for you it also kind of felt
like a shift in focus.
>> Yeah, definitely.
I mean, I think it's a really
special time for athletes right
now, because for the longest, I
think we felt like we had to
just stay in this lane of our
sport and, you know, what we do.
And obviously that's what we're
paid to do, but we're also
people and we have thoughts and
opinions on other things and our
own experiences.
And so it's been really great to
see this light be shined on
those experiences and just be
able to use our voice and share
for those who are around us.
>> How did we get the nickname
Shug, and can Scott and I call
you Shug?
It's the cutest nickname.
>> Oh, that's actually a family
nickname.
Like, my godfather gave it to me
when I was born, and it's like
Shug like sugar, and it just
stuck.
It's followed me all of my life.
>> Allyson, Scott and I will be
pulling for you.
Bring home the gold, okay?
>> Thank you, guys.
>> You can catch Allyson in
"Dreams Live On: Countdown to
Tokyo" -- a special telling the
stories behind all the elite
athletes training for the
Olympics next year streaming now
for free on Peacock.