Allyson Felix Is Empowering Women and Girls With Her First-Ever Athleta Fitness Collection

Allyson Felix is one of the greatest athletes of all time and one of the greatest sprinters of all time. She's broken numerous records, she's broken barriers in sports, and she's transforming the future of sports for the next generation of athletes.

Felix credits her daughter, Camryn, for helping her find her voice and speak out on issues that impact athletes, Black people and people of color, and women and girls all over the world. Last year she shared her Nike pregnancy story in The New York Times, calling for athletic apparel companies to implement maternity protections for athletes who choose to have babies during their careers, and her voice has only gotten louder since then.

As the world navigates two pandemics — COVID-19 and racial injustice in the United States — Felix isn't afraid to speak out. She's speaking out for her life, for the lives of countless Black and brown people, for future generations, and to elicit change in the world her daughter will grow up in. She's also breaking barriers off the track, like being one of a handful of women to have her own athletic collection. "This is something I had always dreamed of when I came into the sport. . . . You always dream of having something of your own, and I wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen," Felix told POPSUGAR.

While Felix was looking for a new apparel sponsor, she said one thing that sold her on the partnership with Athleta was that the brand's values were aligned with her personal values and mission: to empower women and girls. Felix didn't want to just create another pair of leggings and a new sports bra, she wanted the Athleta x Allyson Felix collection to make those who wear it feel great.

"I want them to feel confident. I want them to feel empowered. I want them to feel like they know their value and worth. And then I also want them to know that they're going to look great in it and feel good in it," she explained. She personally wear-tested each piece, making sure that they would sustain her intense workouts and be comfortable enough to run errands in. "There's no distraction. When you're in there and you're getting your workout in, nothing's going to be bugging you or bothering you," she said.

The 18-piece collection was inspired by her style but was also designed for performance. "It will allow your body to move the way that it needs to move. And you're not sacrificing in any point," she said. No matter the element, these pieces will perform under any condition, just like the six-time Olympic gold medalist.

One of her favorite things about the collection is its versatility. "It has all these great, layered pieces where you finish your workout, you throw on one of the cute jackets, tops, or T-shirts, and you can go on for the other half of your day until you get home," she said. This was important for Felix because she wanted something that functioned well with her life and the lives of other women.

What's unique about her namesake collection is that there are pieces for girls as well. "Those same things that I want women to feel, I want young girls to feel as well," Felix said. She explained that the pieces come with love notes and reminders to break records and barriers. "There's no limit to what you can do, and I think it all begins on sending that very important message to them at a young age," she said.

Felix loves all the pieces, but the ones she's constantly reaching for are the Legend Luxe Crop Half-Zip Jacket ($169), the Legend Luxe Track Pant ($119), and the Legend Zip Front Bra ($69). We have a feeling you're going to love these pieces, too, whether you're going for a run, training for a major competition, or going grocery shopping. Check out a few of our favorite pieces from the collection ahead.