Allyson Felix on Fighting Mom Guilt: “We Have to Fill Our Own Cup”

Five-time Olympian track star Allyson Felix is no stranger to fighting for the causes she believes in. When she was diagnosed at 32 weeks pregnant with severe preeclampsia—a potentially life-threatening complication—she used her platform to educate women and their support systems about urgent warning signs. When a sponsor proposed cutting her pay by 70 percent during her pregnancy, she fought for the maternal rights of all sponsored athletes.

Now, she is championing another cause deeply personal to her: why the ability to rest and recover when sick should be a right for all, not a privilege for the few.

The Invisible Burden of the Working Caregiver

The partnership between Felix and Theraflu’s Right to Rest and Recover campaign highlights the staggering burden faced by those without paid sick leave:

• Financial & Job Security: 80 percent of workers say they can’t afford to take a sick day; over half cite needing the income, while 28 percent worry taking time off could put their job at risk.
• Workplace Pressure: 35 percent say work will accumulate if they rest, 20 percent worry employers will question their productivity, and 59 percent say their employer does not encourage taking time off to recover.
• The “Sandwich Generation” Strain: Over 75 percent of caregivers in the sandwich generation say responsibilities feel overwhelming when healthy—and become unbearable when they are sick.
• The Gender Gap: Working moms are more likely than working dads to continue daily routines while sick; meanwhile, 90 percent of moms resort to “extra measures” to keep the household functioning, whereas dads are statistically more likely to ask for help.

Ultimately, 97 percent of respondents feel pressure to keep up with daily routines when ill. Without universal paid sick time, illness doesn’t stop the work; it just makes it harder. Nearly 25 million Americans are currently forced to choose between their health and a paycheck.

From the Track to the Household: Redefining Strength

As an athlete, Felix is no stranger to being told to “push through the pain.” However, as a mom to Camryn (born 2018) and Kenneth Maurice Ferguson III (born April 2024), and founder of the footwear company Saysh, she has learned to value rest as a strategic necessity.

“I’ve learned that it’s not sustainable to think that you can just continue carrying on,” Felix tells BlackDoctor. “Rest really is a part of that the process… And I think I really got that big picture from sport in understanding that my rest days are just [as] important as my days where I have a really heavy workload, and it’s important to be able to be at your best in the future…And so that’s what I was really excited about [with] Theraflu’s initiative that they are doing…”

From our partner

Diagnosed with Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer? Learn more about a new study for patients with ES-SCLC.

The alarming statistics regarding the lack of access to paid leave struck a chord with Felix. “It shouldn’t be a privilege to be able to take a day when you are ill to be able to recover,” she says.

The Right to Rest and Recover

Since 2021, Theraflu has committed to fighting for paid sick time through The Right to Rest and Recover initiative. For the first time, a portion of each Theraflu purchase from January to March and October to December 2026 will be donated to the nonprofit A Better Balance (up to $250,000) to champion better policy nationwide.

Additionally, the Rest & Recover Fund, now in its fifth year, has distributed more than one million dollars in microgrants.

“I love that they’re offering these microgrants, and people can apply for [a] $200 microgrant if they don’t have [paid sick leave]. And I love that they are doing something and taking action and not waiting [for] policy to catch up. I’m really proud to be a part of that work,” Felix adds.

Combatting “Mom Guilt”

Felix admits she isn’t immune to the emotional weight of caregiving. “I definitely have experienced that same guilt—that ‘mom guilt’ for sure—about taking time, because you just feel like there’s so much on your plate and so many people depend on you that you really put yourself at the bottom of the list,” she says.

Her athletic career remains her guiding light for self-preservation.

From our partner

Having difficulty controlling your hypertension? This clinical trial may help! Learn More Here

 “I really understood that my rest days were just as important as the days of my heaviest workload. And that really was because, in order to be able to sustain that—in order to be able to be at your best—it meant giving my body time to recover,” Felix explains. “I truly believe the same is true in the workplace [and] at home. If we’re going to be able to take care of others and do the work that we’re passionate about, we have to be able to fill our own cup. We have to be able to recover [from] illness and just take care of our wellness as well. So, it’s something that sometimes I have to remind myself of, but I do know that it absolutely is true.”

Felix’s dedication to supporting others is expanding. She is actively involved in initiatives that promote the well-being of athletes, particularly women, and is committed to making a positive impact on communities facing healthcare disparities.

“Most recently, our agency, Always Alpha—our management firm that focuses on female athletes—has been really exciting. [It’s] just a legacy piece around supporting other athletes in their [prime], their career, and just getting to do a lot of passions of my heart,” she concludes.

How to Navigate Without Paid Sick Leave

If you are among the millions without access to paid sick leave, Felix emphasizes the importance of leaning on a “village”:

• Ask for specific help: Instead of trying to do it all, Felix suggests saying: “Okay, I do need to take a day and I do need help with drop-off or pickup with the kids.”
• Delegate household leadership: Felix relies on her partner taking the lead so she can get a nap or sit down to rest.
• Prioritize ruthlessly: When your body is failing, “unavailable” must become your default setting for non-essential tasks.

Secure Your Right to Rest

Don’t wait until you are too ill to function. Take these steps today:

1. Apply for Relief: If you are a working caregiver facing unpaid leave, visit Theraflu.com/RightToRecover to apply for a $200 microgrant to help cover your expenses.
2. Know Your Rights: Use the resources at Theraflu.com to check your specific state’s policies regarding sick leave.
3. Support the Cause: Your purchase of Theraflu helps fund the fight for universal paid sick leave through A Better Balance.