By Okla Jones ·Updated April 6, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Allyson Felix has spent most of her life operating at the highest level of competition, building a career that highlighted what sustained excellence looks like in track and field. With 11 Olympic medals and a record-setting run at the World Championships, she left the sport as its most decorated athlete. But these days, her focus has shifted. At 40, Felix is navigating life at a different pace, one that includes motherhood, business, and a more focused approach to how she takes care of herself.
Now, her time is often built around her family before anything else. From there, she fits in movement where she can, whether it’s a workout before the day picks up or a walk with her kids in the evening. The mindset is consistency, and making space for the habits that really add value to her life. These things also carry into how she approaches nutrition, recovery, and mental health, all of which she now considers with a level of focus that didn’t feel necessary earlier in her career.
“I think we need more of those moments where we are taking care of ourselves,” Felix said. It’s a reminder that slowing down can be just as important as staying active, especially in a life that rarely stops moving.
Felix is also continuing to expand her reach beyond competition. Through her company Saysh and partnerships like her latest work with Ensure and Abbott, the global healthcare company, she’s building around a broader idea of wellness that extends past elite athletes. In the conversation below, Felix speaks about her milestone birthday, raising a family, and how her definition of strength continues to evolve.
ESSENCE: Since you turned 40, how has your approach to health and wellness changed?
Allyson Felix: I think I’ve just been more intentional about what I’m doing. I think when I was younger, I didn’t have to think about it too much. It was kind of automatic. Things were more forgiving, but now I see more closely how things are related. And yeah, I’m very intentional now.
What does the typical day of eating look for you right now?
For me, I am all about prepping things, but I’m getting up. It’s a busy household, two little kids at home. And so waking up, having maybe oatmeal and fruit, things that are easy, maybe some yogurt and granola. And then I’m out the door. I usually try to do my workout before my day gets started. And so after I do my workout, then that’s when I get to have my protein. And so that’s why I’m also really excited about this partnership with Ensure and Abbott because it’s so important to get that protein right after the workout. And I love that Abbott has been in this space for so long and they’ve done the research. And I think protein is really a trend right now, but also for me, it’s been the basis of what I’ve done for a long time. And so I know how important it is.
So I usually grab my Ensure Max Protein 42g Shake after working out on the go, and then I’m in the office. And after that, I might have a salad. And then dinner would be the fuller meal where I’m having maybe some fish, some veggies, and maybe a starch, just keeping it very balanced.
What made you want to partner with Ensure and Abbott, global healthcare company, on this new Ensure Max Protein Shake?
I am very intentional about the things I do, and I was really impressed with just the things that Abbott cares about and the longevity and that they have done the research and the science behind it. And then when searching for a protein, I was really also impressed with Ensure and being able to get 42 grams. And just that it fits with my life rel="tag">Allyson Felix black women in sports
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