Oct 01 2024 51 mins 43
"Someone who was always true to himself, failed, got up again, but ultimately changed the sport that gave him everything and inspired a whole new generation of kids. That to me is bigger than any medal I could ever win." - Miles Chamley-Watson
This episode is one where we learn about a sport unfamiliar to us but one rich with history and challenges and how no matter what the competition is, the path to success is paved with dedication, discipline and a degree of mental toughness that brings out the best within us, when we least expect it.
In partnership with Fanatics, Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with veteran Olympic and World Champion fencer Miles Chamley-Watson as he opens up about his journey from a young athlete facing adversity to becoming a trailblazer in sports, culture and mental health as he used his own experiences and lessons to shape the success he's had in and out of athletics. Wearing armor and always a defense mode is a part of his sport, but in our conversation with Miles, he drops his sword and lets his guard down, opening up about the unlikely path into fencing, mental toughness, his effort to bring his sport to media forefront, rise to fame and how his family dynamic and recent heartache has changed his life perspective.
Miles explains to the guys about how putting on that fencing mask for the first time made him feel like a superhero, and gave him a sense of purpose. The sport- which has been around for centuries- was something that fell into his lap as a 6’5’’ dude from a mix of the UK, New York, and Philly. Yet, he fell in love with fencing, and found it helped him manage his ADD & ADHD, giving him something to focus on. Even though he used to hide his love for the sport after getting judged for being an “unconventional” athlete, he's now all about encouraging kids to follow their own path, no matter how different it might be.
The guys go further into the conversation exploring the personal struggles Miles has faced within fencing, which is a predominantly white sport, sharing stories on facing racism in the craft, and how those challenges have only fueled his drive to create real change and make a larger impact. Making a name for himself wasn't easy at first, but through his charisma, unique style and success, Miles' meteoric rise to the top of sports has helped put fencing on the global stage. Garnering international fame through Olympics and becoming a world champion while juggling his star-studded personal life of fashion shows, Met Gala, A-list friendships and global brand campaigns. Miles reveals advice he received from Kobe Bryant during the 2016 Olympics that changed his outlook on wins and losses and molded a mindset of having a short term memory in terms of success and failures.
As the conversation continues, we get into more sensitive topics like family, emotions, and mental health. He talks about the importance of opening up, especially for Black men, and how he’s learned to release emotions that he bottled up for years. Sharing stories of his up-brining, bond with his mother and stepfather, reconnecting with his real father and reveals a personal matter of his sister now undergoing a serious health battle....Miles stresses importance of forgiveness and finding peace as life is too short to hold onto stress and unhappiness. He's determined to be an advocate for diversity in sports, leave a lasting impact on the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes to stay true to who they are.
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