When you meet Alysia Montaño, you immediately recognize the depth of her impact as both an athlete and a leader. A six-time USA Outdoor Champion in the 800m and a 2012 Olympian, Montaño is known not only for her remarkable achievements on the track but also for her unwavering commitment to advancing equity for women and mothers in sport.
Montaño’s athletic career is distinguished by consistency at the highest level. She earned a bronze medal at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, the London Olympics and was a finalist at multiple World Championships. With a personal best of 1:57.34 in the 800m, she established herself as one of the fastest American middle-distance runners in history. Her performances were marked by a bold racing style, often taking the lead early, a strategy that earned her the nickname the Brave Athlete.
Beyond medals and records, Montaño became a global symbol of resilience in 2014 when she competed at the U.S. Championships while eight months pregnant. That moment sparked an international conversation about motherhood and athletics, challenging stereotypes and inspiring countless women around the world.
Her advocacy deepened in 2019, when she authored the widely read New York Times op-ed “Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby.” The piece highlighted gaps in maternity protections for female athletes and pressured major sports brands to reform their policies. From this work emerged &Mother, now known as For All Mothers, the nonprofit she co-founded to break systemic barriers for women and mothers in sport, business, and society. Through initiatives such as Childcare, So They Can Get Out There, supported by Strava, and the Level the Playing Field fertility campaign,For All Mothers provides resources, policy advocacy, and community-building opportunities for athlete-mothers and working women.
Montaño has also ventured into entrepreneurship as the co-founder of WOHO (Women’s Health Outdoor), a wellness brand centred on outdoor performance and holistic health for women. In addition, she co-hosts the Keeping Track podcast, where she and fellow Olympians discuss equity, representation, and visibility in women’s sports. Not to mention her book, Feel-Good Fitness, further shows her commitment to making movement and wellness accessible to all women, regardless of stage of life. In recognition of her contributions, Montaño was named a Team USA Community Champion in 2024, honoring her leadership as both an athlete and advocate.
This Black Business Month, Alysia Montaño’s story exemplifies the intersection of athletic excellence, entrepreneurship, and social change. She has shown that success is not only about times on the clock but also about creating structures that allow others to thrive; her work continues to redefine what it means to compete and to lead.
Leave a Reply