Personal Life Updates

• Recently gave birth to second child (son), now family of four
• Had positive birth experience without previous complications
• Adjusting to life with two children
• Currently in Paris for first Olympics since retiring from track and field

Olympic Experience as Spectator

• Feels odd not competing, often thinks should be preparing for races
• Able to take in full experience with family present
• Attended gymnastics (women's team gold medal), swimming, beach volleyball
• Experiencing Paris city energy and crowds for first time as spectator
• Different perspective seeing athletes' confidence and joy after adversity

Athletes Beyond Competition

• Athletes historically felt pressure to "stay in lane" and fit perfect box
• New generation willing to speak out on issues beyond sports
• Athletes have loud voices and meaningful impact
• Important to highlight athletes as whole people, not just sports contributions

Maternal Rights and Olympic Nursery

• Established first nursery in Olympic Village for parent athletes
• Significant momentum since 2019 Nike advocacy
• Previously pregnancies were hidden, including her own
• Many examples of competing mothers at current games
• Family space sends message women can compete at highest level after children
• Culture shifting to show motherhood doesn't end athletic careers
• Collaborative effort needed, not individual work

Women's Sports Momentum

• Long time coming, many have been advocating for years
• Feels good to see world taking notice
• Will stay if continue current trajectory
• Need to broaden sports getting attention beyond basketball
• Must show up: watch, buy merchandise, support consistently

Black Maternal Mortality Crisis

• 80% of complications/deaths for women of color are preventable
• More dangerous to give birth today than for previous generation
• Issues: implicit bias, medical professionals not listening to women of color
• Pain not perceived or taken seriously
• Need policy changes, awareness raising, multiple approaches
• Action required rather than just headlines

Melinda French Gates Grant

• Received $20 million from $1 billion commitment to women's advancement
• Humbling experience, will focus on black maternal health
• Deploying funds to organizations needing support
• Excited about impact on most at-risk individuals

IOC Athletes Commission

• Appointed member, nursery came through this commission
• Running for elected position to continue work
• Represents athletes' voices on various issues
• Deals with doping, fair play, Russia-Ukraine impacts
• Plans to expand family space for LA 2028
• Addresses global issues affecting athletes daily

Mental Health and Athletic Pressure

• Pressure and expectations increase with longevity
• Wins become expected, losses feel devastating
• Previously unhealthy "get through at any cost" mentality
• Simone Biles' Tokyo example of prioritizing mental health
• Athletes are people with same issues as everyone
• Need more resources and conversations about mental health
• Retirement transition surprisingly difficult despite preparation

Performance Enhancement and Doping

• Real pressure drives individuals to cheat
• Young athletes can't pursue doping alone - need adult involvement
• Focus on punishing coaches and support staff enabling doping
• Expectation pressure can drive athletes to seek control through inappropriate means
• Need to address systemic issues beyond individual athletes

Transition from Competition

• Defines self as entrepreneur and advocate
• Rocky transition despite starting advocacy work before retirement
• Sense of loss after 20 years in sport
• Structured athletic life vs. potentially lonely pursuit of new goals
• Athletic adversity experience helps with long-term approach
• Determination and perseverance transfer to new endeavors

Success Definition Evolution

• Early career: success only meant Olympic victory, black and white
• Adversity led to understanding bigger purpose beyond running fast
• Success redefined around purpose and creating change
• Platform realization changed approach to competition and life

Future Impact Goals

• Continue supporting female athletes with children
• Expand childcare to all major sporting events (tennis circuit example)
• Policy work on maternal health, especially in United States
• Voting and civic engagement for women's rights protection

Young People and Dreams

• Encourage pursuing athletic dreams and passions at highest level
• Olympic stories show non-linear paths with ups and downs
• Full picture includes training, struggles, tears - not just glory moments
• Everyone can bring Olympic energy to their work and circles
• Start where you are, make impact in current position

Global Olympic Perspective

• Olympics humanize people from different countries
• Refugee Olympic team provides competition opportunity despite hardship
• Different success definitions: some countries celebrate just participating
• American mentality differs from nations with smaller teams
• Exposure to global issues through athlete interactions

Election Year and Women's Rights

• Crucial election for women's rights protection
• Must show up and vote to create change
• Rights being taken away, need active response
• Ownership required to make things different

Inspirations and Role Models

• Jackie Joyner-Kersee: phenomenal athlete and person, incredible foundation work
• Parents: father pastor, mother teacher - people of service
• Watched impact on community, inspired to give back
• Seen people who paved way for opportunities
• Motivated to do same for others

Children and Future Generation

• Daughter (5 years old) seeing equal gender participation at Olympics
• First Olympics with equal men/women participation
• Hope normalcy of seeing women excelling becomes standard
• Supports children in whatever path they choose
• Protective of track and field due to personal difficulties experienced
• Daughter shows interest in racing, trying other activities first

Lasting Impact Vision

• Collaborative effort across all levels and spaces
• Empowerment in workplaces, families, communities
• Conversations about maternal health, childcare needs
• Pushing beyond traditional accepted limitations
• Momentum exists, need to maintain forward progress
• Change happens where people are, not just high-profile positions