We Can Do Hard Things — "WELCOME TO THE PARTY EP1: Allyson Felix Took On Corporate Sports and Won"

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Glennon Doyle & Audacy (Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Billie Jean King)
Guest: Allyson Felix

Episode Overview

The inaugural episode of “Welcome To The Party”—a new arm of the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast—sets out to celebrate, elevate, and educate about all things women’s sports. The core mission: build community, bring joy, and maintain honesty about the challenges women in sports (and life) face. Legendary athletes Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, and Billie Jean King call all “party people” to join their growing movement and kick off the first episode with an all-star guest: Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete. The conversation dives into Felix’s storied career, her courageous battle with Nike over maternal protections, new ventures for women athletes, and what it truly means to find your voice and stand up for the next generation.

Main Themes and Key Discussion Points

1. Welcome to the "Party": The Vision of the Show

[01:44 – 05:45]

• The show is about celebrating women's sports across all disciplines and eras, aiming to foster community, bring fun and education, and create a space where honesty and collective joy are prioritized.
• All are welcome—whether lifelong fans or newcomers. Listeners are encouraged to suggest topics and guests.
• The tone is inclusive, celebratory, and humorous, with a commitment to two episodes per week, live events, and open community feedback.

Quotes:

• "There’s no party like a women’s sports party." —Julie Foudy [02:46]
• "The biggest reason I did it is…there’s affirmation when you are around female athletes or at a women’s sporting event, and there’s inspiration and all these things, inclusivity that we love to see." —Abby Wambach [04:25]

2. Summer Highlights: Each Host's Favorite Play or Moment

[06:05 – 15:51]
Each host shares the most inspiring sports moment of their summer, highlighting the range and depth of women's athletic achievement—setting the celebratory, sports-loving tone.

• Abby Wambach: Katie Ledecky breaking her own 800m freestyle world record, swimming 20 seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor.
  • “Honestly, this woman is a beast... we need to have Katie on here to discuss not just the play—why are you wearing two caps?” [07:24]
• Billie Jean King: Victoria Mboko (Canadian tennis phenom) beats Grand Slam winners, including her role model Osaka, at age 19.
  • “She’s fun to watch, but as a human being and the way she speaks, she’s just a total winner on and off the court.” [09:38]
• Julie Foudy: Marta’s dramatic double-goal turnaround for Brazil in the Copa America final at age 39, coming off the bench as a substitute.
  • “I would have run off the field straight to the locker room and been like, peace out. I’m done. I’m retiring again. That is all I got.” [15:51]

3. The Heart of the Episode: Allyson Felix on Courage, Change, and Collective Power

[19:57 — 47:25]

Allyson Felix's Background and Courageous Stand

• Introduced as the guest who most embodies “not settling for crumbs”—Felix is lauded for her athletic successes and, crucially, her advocacy for women and mothers in sports.
• Notable achievements: 5 Olympics, 11 medals, changed industry maternity protections, founded a woman-focused management firm and shoe company, and sits on the IOC board.

Key Moment:

• "Do not settle for the crumbs. Do. Do not. I want people to think about having all the cake and icing and the sprinkles and the cherry on top." —Billie Jean King [19:57]
• “She is track and field legend...Because Allyson looked at those crumbs and she was like— no suckers. I am not taking this. And went about enacting change.” —Julie Foudy [20:18]

Fixing Your Face & Managing Pressure

[22:25 – 24:51]

• Abby marvels at Felix's unflappable appearance under pressure.
• Allyson admits it’s all chaos inside: “I’m glad to hear that it appears to be calm because within, that is not what’s happening.” [23:00]

The Nike Stand

[25:43 – 29:38]

• Allyson recounts her high-stakes showdown with Nike, who threatened to cut her contract by 70% after her pregnancy.
• Her decision was not made out of confidence but necessity; she wanted to make things better for her daughter and future generations.
• “There was no part that felt brave or courageous. It was just like, this is something that I, from deep within, I feel like I have to do.” [26:41]
• Resulted in policy changes at Nike and industry-wide.

Finding Her Voice

[28:44 – 29:38]

• Growing from a shy, rule-following introvert, Allyson found empowerment through adversity.
• "I’m most proud that I found my voice...it scared me to have an opinion on anything. It’s hard being a people pleaser...to break free from that and say, ‘OK, I’m gonna try to create some change’—that has been the most freeing thing." [28:47]

Reflection on Sacrifice and Collective Good

[29:52 – 33:53]

• The Nike incident forced her hand—she realized sometimes change means giving up something you won’t directly benefit from.
• "You’re not going to be the one to benefit from it...we’re all trying to change sports so the women behind us can experience those benefits." [33:24]

4. Creating Tangible Change: Business, Maternal Health, Legacy

[34:17 – 37:48]

• Allyson discusses deploying $20 million in funding from Melinda Gates into black maternal health, after careful study of community needs.
• Expands on the first-ever athlete nursery at the Paris Olympics, and her hopes for more family-friendly support in elite sports.
• “It was something that was like, okay, what do I want to see happen? That was it... now it’s like, let’s grow it, let’s make it bigger.” [37:29]

5. The State and Future of Track and Field

[37:52 – 41:48]

• Billie Jean King laments the lack of clarity and structure for track and field fans; Allyson agrees and calls for innovative formats, investment, and better storytelling.
• “Track and field is a hard sport to follow and we have to do better with our product...we need new energy, team format, engaging stories.” [38:25]

6. What’s Next for Allyson Felix

[43:00 – 44:22]

• Premiered her film at Tribeca, working on a book ("the editing process is the worst"), and expanding her businesses and advocacy.

7. Party Trick & Community Q&A

[44:30 – 47:32]

• The hosts riff on the idea of a party trick; Allyson jokes hers is “challenging people to a race.”
• “Maybe my party trick should be, like, challenging people to a race...that’s where my talent lies.” —Allyson Felix [46:10]

8. Celebrating Courage, Shared Struggle, and Reflections

[47:43 – 53:11]

• Hosts reflect emotionally on Allyson’s journey, emphasizing the significance of voice, sacrifice, and humility in leadership.
• "To do that even having already accomplished so much… I love Al." —Abby Wambach [51:54]
• Billie Jean King recounts watching Allyson grow from a shy competitor to an outspoken leader.

9. "Just Ask the Kinger": GOAT-to-GOAT Q&A Segment

[54:14 – 65:21]

• Stars like Coco Gauff, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Mia Hamm submit playful and thoughtful questions to Billie Jean King.
• Highlights include discussions of legacy, Billie’s favorite sports, and memories about history’s role in current progress.
• “What I care about is what contributions can I make while I’m on Earth. And I think every athlete should think about that.” —Billie Jean King [58:20]

10. Closing Rituals: Community, Cheers & Party Energy

[65:34 – End]

• The hosts encourage listener engagement—suggest topics, subscribe, leave reviews, bring friends to the party.
• Wrap up with the traditional “USA! USA!” team cheer.
• “Please invite your friends or 500 to the party, even those who are not big women’s sports fans yet. Everyone is welcome.” —Julie Foudy [67:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Billie Jean King: “Do not settle for the crumbs. Do...think about having all the cake and icing and the sprinkles and the cherry on top.” [19:57]
• Allyson Felix: "There was no part that felt brave or courageous. It was just like, this is something that I, from deep within, I feel like I have to do." [26:41]
• Julie Foudy: “She looked at those crumbs and she was like—no suckers. I am not taking this.” [20:18]
• Billie Jean King: “I want athletes to think about we instead of me.” [58:20]
• Allyson Felix: “I’m most proud that I found my voice...to be able to break free from that and say, ‘OK, I’m gonna try to create some change’ — that has been the most freeing thing.” [28:47]
• Abby Wambach: “To do that even having already accomplished so much in your life...she’s just awesome. I love Al.” [51:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Party Mission – [01:44 – 05:45]
• Summer Sports Highlights – [06:05 – 15:51]
• BJK “Do Not Settle for the Crumbs” – [19:57]
• Allyson Felix Interview:
  • Courage, Nike, and Change — [25:43 – 29:38]
  • Finding Her Voice — [28:44 – 29:38]
  • Collective Action and Sacrifice — [29:52 – 33:53]
  • Maternal Health Philanthropy — [34:17 – 37:48]
  • Track and Field’s Future — [37:52 – 41:48]
• Party Trick Riff – [44:30 – 47:32]
• GOAT-to-GOAT Segment – [54:14 – 65:21]
• Community Signoff & USA Cheer – [65:55 – End]

Tone and Takeaway

The inaugural episode of "Welcome to the Party" is vibrant, witty, and deeply supportive—a gathering of legendary women who blend sports storytelling, hard truth-telling, and celebration. The conversation with Allyson Felix is candid and compelling, highlighting that systemic change often starts with personal risk. The hosts lift up each other and all women listening, making the podcast as much about the community it builds as the lessons it imparts.

If you crave stories of courage, inclusivity, laughter, and tangible female leadership in sports, this episode is a must-listen—and a major step towards bringing more "party people" into the fold.