Miles Chamley-Watson: #1 Mindset Shift That Changes Everything (Try THIS to Stay Sharp, Focused, and In Control)

Fencing literally saved my life. Fencing is known for being a notoriously white sport. Talk to me about what it felt like getting to the Olympics, winning bronze. My mum always just said, "Just win." And then, what can they say? "I'm the best now." "I'm still the 12-year-old kid, just 6-5 COVID tattoos." "Widdings great, but changing a sport is bigger than any Olympic gold medal I could ever win." Hey everyone, welcome back to On Purpose, the place you come to become happier. Healthier and more healed, today's guest is not only a friend, but someone who I'm so fascinated to dive into his mindset. I love top performers, people who are operating at peak places, and making incredible impact happen across the world in their field. And this is one of those people. Miles Chamley Watson is an Olympic medalist, redefining the sport with his style, confidence, and a vision that's pushing it far beyond what it's ever been before. Miles Chamley Watson, welcome to On Purpose. Well, thank you. That was an absolutely incredible intro. It's an honor to be here, honestly. But before I kind of got to meet you, it's really nice to be a fan of your work, and I think you instill some incredible ideas on people, "Middenful Better," which the world needs more than ever. So thank you for that, and it's an honor. Dude, we met in the best way possible. I felt like we were on a boys trip, which is what I felt like. And it just turned out to be the easiest conversation. You guys invited me into the wolf pack, which made me feel really, really comfortable. We played poker from 11pm to 7am, three nights in a row. We were out on the water. It was amazing. And I just, you know, I know that I was kind of coming in fresh and new. And it was just you were one of those people. You and spins, especially, the child spins. You were one of those people that just made me feel like at home. So not only are you amazing of what you do, which we'll get into, you're a great guy off, off as well. So I appreciate you, man. Thank you. I want to dive in, but asking you, like, what I heard from you, and I've been watching interviews, and obviously I came to you, a event which we'll talk about in a second. But I feel like you always felt like you didn't quite fit in. Talk to me about your earliest memory that reminds you of that feeling. I think being born in London, my mom was kind of the mom and dad. That was kind of in my life. It was about eight years old. So I think naturally, you kind of rebel. So I think when I was playing football, running track and fields, I always felt like I was just different kind of my approach, my mindset. And then we moved to America. I was about nine or 10 kind of in between those years. And those years are very important, right? Or your friends are there, your families are there. So naturally moving from London to New York, I was like, I don't want to be here. So getting to trouble, getting kicked out of my first school. Public school, then it kicked out of my second school. And then my mother met someone that was on the admissions program for private school. Was it to give tuition grants because we had money at the time. But as a punishment, I had to pick up tennis, fencing or badminton. As a punishment. Because they can say to mental sports and I was like, oh, whatever. Sports are fun. And then I was like, wait, I can pick up a sword and like stab you. All right, this is like the kid's dream. And then immediately, that was my purpose. Because you put the mask on and you feel like a superhero. And I think that was the first time I realized, okay, this is going to be my way out of whatever I'm kind of in. And then I was very ADD, ADHD, and then fencing became my out of all. And as I started to get better in fencing, I started to get better in school. So I ended up being a double-sided sword, which ended up being my job. I kind of got very, very lucky in finding fencing because I don't know where I'd be now if I wasn't a professional fencer, which is a crazy thing to say, you know? I feel like sports when you're young are so important. What was the difference? Because everyone plays sports. I played a lot of sports growing older. You're obviously phenomenal at what you do. How quickly did you realize that this could be something you were actually really good at? I think it was immediately. Really? Yeah, picked it up right away. And Ellen Grayson, who I love her to that, hello, she was at Mars. You could be an Olympian. And I was like, that's offensive for really? And I think immediately I felt this connection that was like nothing else in my life. And it was like my therapy. And I think nowadays it's like kids, 80-D, 80-D, the first things I hear, they should give them a pill or give them a drug. And I'm like, find them something that they love. I think that's the key is, and sports are amazing because the money for richer poor, at the end of the day, it's who's going to win, right? Same sword in my hand, same horse on my head. And I think that's why sports are so incredible because they saved my life. I never knew at that time that it would be my, you know, be your end all. Wow. Which is crazy to say. Yeah, but I believe you. I can feel it. Yeah. Like even to sit with you and you say, and I'm like, wow, that's like, I feel like so many parents today are wondering, how do I get my kid to be confident? How do I get my kid to like, just get out then? And I couldn't agree with you more that you're only for confident when you have some competence. Like when you feel like you have a skill, where you have an ability, and you have something to do beyond scrolling on your phone or, you know, watching a show or playing video games or whatever it may be, for you talk to me about, what do you think life would have looked like if you didn't find fencing that early? I honestly don't know because we're hanging on the corner shops, you know, it's getting into trouble, stealing sweets, just kind of, because we didn't really know what there was for us. And I think that's also very important having a father figure in your life. And think of my mom, my mom found my stepdad, Colin, who I saved my dad to you because he is my dad raised me. I think that's also very, very important is because you need someone that's going to tell you know when they can, and I don't actually don't think I would be definitely not talking to you. And I definitely don't know if I'd be behind the bars to be honest with you because I was just such a crazy little kid. My friends, I grew up with the, you know, the plumbers, the happy, I was kind of the only one out of us to kind of make it out and create a name for myself. Where did you grow up in? First it was Southwest London, and then it was Ealing, and then it was Putney, and then the Kilburn a little bit, and then we moved to New York. And a really, really funny story, 2012 Olympics, my three friends, Aaron Adam and Blake, they're all brothers, they're plumbers, and they actually built the Olympic village. No. So yeah, first time I was saying that, yeah, they literally built the village. That's so cool. And they're calling me, "Hey mate, I'm building your village." I was like, "What'd you mean?" And like plumbing it and making it, and then they kind of got to see me compete in 2012 and it all came. So that was a full stock of moment for me. That's amazing. That's so good, man. Yeah, it was crazy. It just happened by chance. There was no connectivity or anything. By chance. And I think life is obviously, but timing is everything in life, and I really believe that. And I think some things might be not the right time, relationships, partner's sports, but sports, I think of the number one thing. If I had children, I would put them in right away. I'm going to tell you to be a fencer, but I think just sports teach you how to lose, what it feels like, integrity, listening, and I think that's what fencing taught me. I told you this before. I don't think we had a proper conversation about it, so I did fencing at school. And I won some super amateur championships, like 14, 15, 16, I don't, I don't, you know, maybe I'm joking. I could never have been good enough to compete with what you do, but I loved it as a sport, actually. I thought it was pretty, it was really strategic, it was tactical. The fitness level was, you know, it was challenging. I still remember actually really well, we'd do it in the gym at school. Talk to me about the importance of a mentor though, because it sounds like you gave a shout out to someone there. And I was like, I think that's the difference. When I played a lot of sports at school, you've got to have someone who kind of takes you under their wing and like, invest in you and makes you feel like you could go fine. I found them in life. I found them in business. I found them in spirituality and meditation and other areas of my life. But sports is somewhere where I think a coach or a mentor is just the most important person. Talk to me about how you found yours. 100%. I think Ellen Grayson and Eric Rosenberg, they were working at school at the time and they saw my potential and they actually were the first person to say, get your citizenship. But I didn't realize that was going to be who I am to this day. Without them, I would never probably see my potential and see how far I could take fencing. And then my coach Simon Gershon became like my dad. I can tell him everything. He's kind of teaching me that, you know, that you must learn how to lose before you learn how to win, which is a tattoo I have, which I think is so important because understanding the feeling of losing as an athlete is the hardest thing, you know, to kind of understand and swallow. But then you have to understand what that feels like. So when you can do when you appreciate that more than ever, I talk to him every day, I'm not feeling good. He can sense it. So to me, having a coach and a mentor and a role model is so important. And I think now that's why I love being that for the kids now, which is one reason why I saw this lead. But I love seeing kids come to me, parents ask me questions. And I think if I can be a little bit of a catalyst or a kind of a helper for them, then that's probably bigger than winning any medal I could ever win. That's such great advice. Where's your toe? Is it, can I? Yeah, it's someone here. Yeah, yeah. How many toes do you have? 150. Really? Yeah. That's mad. Yeah, because I tattooed my hands because I'm fencing with all the white. Yeah. So you know, I want to stuck out. And my mom hated it because she's, you know, a British lady. Now, I remember when we were traveling as well, you got these crazy ones on your shin as well. Yeah, legs, yeah. When did you start? 2012. I've got my first one in London. Oh, that's late. Yeah. And it says from London to London. And then I won more championships and I got the dates and then I was like, I really like it. And then I just kind of went crazy with it. But they're all very, very poppers for, they're not just random ones I've gotten for the sake of it. What's the losing win one again? Say that again. So you must have had a lose before you could have had a win. I really like that. Yeah. That's dope. And I really understood that when I lost at Olympics, we got fourth and I was like, I will wait four years and then I kind of changed my whole mentality. And then 2013 was one of my history and I was the first ever Black American World Champion in the history of offencing. And I think if I didn't lose, I don't know if I'd ever win. weird thing to kind of say, but I think it's pretty poignant and I think it is very important for your character. And just trying to be as humble and even killed as you can, because I never understand some athletes who reach a certain peak and they just change what they are. I think if you can keep that little kid in you, then I think you'll be able to go through life with a lot more wins than losses. It's such a powerful advice. I remember I had, obviously, I never competed at any level, but I remember having a football coach who'd always say to us, he was like, "If you win celebrate for a night and then get back to training and if you lose, cry for a night and then get back to training." And he was like, "All you have to do is get back to training." Said everything else is irrelevant. You can celebrate for one night, you can cry for one night but get on with it because his whole point was like, "When we lose, we cry for a month and when you win, you celebrate for a night." And that's why you remember the bad times more than the good times because when you lose, you get so deep into it, talk to me about that loss that you had, the details of what it felt like to lose in that way. I felt like your life was over at that time. My nan was there, she's African, my aunt's were uncles, they were supporting me and I'm like, "I feel like I'll let everybody down." And they don't care, they'll be for who I am, but at that time, that was my biggest moment in sports as big in the Olympics in 2012 in London. And I just felt like, "Oh, hometown as well." hometown ashamed of myself. And a really, really beautiful moment for me was I'm in the village and the boss of team walks in and Kirby walks in. And he's like, "Hi, I'm like, hi, how are you doing?" He's like, "I'm Kirby, I'm like, I know who you are. I'm Miles, I'm a fan, sir." And he told me this quote, "I never forget it. I got tattooed on my leg." He says, "The best athletes have the shortest memory. You win, you forget about it, you lose, you forget about it. When you're done your career, you can celebrate all you want." And I sit there and I was like, "Wow." And immediately that grin turned into a smile. And then I changed my whole mentality and then I won next year. I was able to tell him, which was really, really beautiful. But I think when you meet someone like that who you look up to, and they're just even more incredible in person, and he's just very humble and told me that from from his coach, and I never ever forget that. And I have a tattoo on the back of my leg with his face. So I think those moments are priceless to me. And I think if I would have won what I've had that time with him, or would have I have been able to do more on my sport. So I think everything has a reason to come into your life, whether it's positive or negative. And I'm grateful for these moments in life that, you know, incredible. That's such a great story. Yeah, and never forget it. Kobe came on the podcast the first year of the podcast. It was brand new. We just started out. And he did exactly what you said. He walked into the room and he introduced himself as Kobe to my whole team. And everyone was like, "Yeah, we know exactly who we are." And my favorite memory from that day was that when we walked in, he was in his office. And you could just see the silhouette of his head. And his team was saying that he was meditating in there before he came to do the interview. And he said they said he did that every morning. When we finished the interview, this was a little clip. I still have this clip. I've never put it out there because I feel I would be disrespectful. But at the end of it, he goes, I can see why you're number one. And I was just like, that would like stay with me forever and gave me the biggest hug. And yeah, I was so grateful to him. That was like three months before his tragic pastings. It was like right then. But yeah, what an incredible role model, amazing energy, like so present, really humble. Everything you just said, like just meeting someone at that level, that caliber who was just so down to earth. I don't want to talk too much about it because obviously, respect to him, but I was on set with Nike talking about him the day it happened. The day it happened. And then Lewis actually texted me, I love you brother, I love you too. But my phone was in the green room. And I was talking about him as impact on me. And everybody just stood in silence. And it was just like, it was, you know, I think lots of the life these people and life's a brutal reminder. And I think it's just enjoy every moment you can negatives or positives. And I think that's all we can do in life and just leave with love and every else will take care of itself. Batman was so special. Yeah, one of a kind. He was one of the few athletes I knew that was peaceful in retirement. Yeah, he was really happy because he was getting, he won the Oscar for the short film that was teaching lessons on basketball. Yeah, exactly. But I was thinking about it, you mentioned something there. You said that, you're the first black person in the sport to win. I mean, that just first of all, that is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations. I just want to acknowledge and honor just what a big deal that is. But fencing is known for being a notoriously white sport. Yeah. Like that's what it's always been. I assume you can film me in the history a little bit. Talk to me about even breaking into something like that because I don't, that's not normal. That doesn't sound easy. I'm sure there's a lot of things to navigate like walk me through that experience. I was in this group class. And, you know, they typically won a team. We did like our first team event was like, so three people, one team versus other three. And every time I was picked lost knowing I was not the worst one. And at the time, you're kind of like, all right, this is, this is weird. I'm only that kind of looks like me in it. And then I started to realize that no one in the sport really made a mark on them. That was my color size Peter Westbrook. I have to give some homage to. And then my first ever junior Olympics, I never forget it. I got five red cards for no reason. And I knew it was because of my skin. Because the next day I won the under 17. I knew it. And now I've seen the referee still to this day. And I still have this, this, I was like a little kid. And it's just you don't know why things are happening to you. But then as I got old, I started to realize it was just because of the color my skin. Because no one in that sport had broken that mold. And there's been countless times of referees and coaches that are just racial gestures that I've never really talked about. Because my mom always just said just just win. And then what can they say? I've had many, many occasions from probably 14. So 17, 18. And I was like, I'm the best now. And it's unfortunate because now there's still racism in the sport, right? It happened with this kid in Amsterdam. And unless you turn right away, like, you know, I have your back. And I'll talk about it in a post about it because it's, you need someone's going to have your back because it's a very lonely feeling when you're the only one that has felt this way. Once I started to realize that, I made it like a positive chip in my shoulder. And I was like, okay, and I never look at life as anything negative, whether it's you know, being rich to profile or losing, I always have a positive outlook on everything. Because it's never lost. It's always a lesson. And I think that was something that I was like, okay, this is going to be change in the sport. And I will leave fencing in good hands because I know I've changed the sport for the best. How did you handle it? At the time when you didn't have someone reaching out to you, give them my fencing as I can take my aggression out on my opponent. So it's a positive thing for the sport to channel it. Yeah, you know, you're crying in the locker room. I never cried for my mom. You don't look like we have a mosque on. You know, shake your opponent and put the mosque back on. But I think at that age, it's, it's okay to cry and it's okay to let things out because all coaches and parents who have seen who have actually shunned their kids for shunned emotions. I've seen parents leave their kids in competitions because their kid lost to me. And then actually the kid is actually my friend now. And it's just a shame that that parents don't realize like how much pressure there's on us to just win. So I think now seeing kids that look more like us, brown, white, whatever girls, I just want to make them feel comfortable and happy and safe. I think if I can be this beacon for them, then that's what I'm going to do in the sport. Well, that was so incredible when you launched the world fencing. I just got to attend in LA. I felt like you had people from different countries, different cultures, different backgrounds. I mean, that was pretty epic man. That was amazing. It was honestly a dream come true. We sold out, we brought records, I think over a million people live watching, which is more than the Olympics. And I think just seeing kids so happy that their sport is on the map was the best feeling I've ever felt my life. So seeing all the little kids on the record, it's all the fences inside telling me, man, I think you've done it. That was to me the greatest day of my life because it was just, we really changed the sport on one day because now there's an audience of people that I've never seen it, like yourself, like people in tag, people in sports, people that I've looked up to, to the fencing fans to get the love that they deserved was incredible. Even I'm smiling because I'm generally so happy that it happened and now the response has been so positive so we can keep growing and growing. I just want to get fencing on a mainstream channel and platform, which is going to happen, but it takes someone like myself to know that it's going to be tough, but I can handle it. For anyone who doesn't really know that much about fencing, whereas new to it, walk us through like what the regime is, what the fitness training is, what the skill is, what the art is, like how you train. It's almost like when people watch drive to survive, that was when people realized what f1 drivers did. I'm sure you're working on a version of that for fencing, I see it. And I feel like getting inside your mind is interesting to me because I'm like, I love knowing how people who are performing at the highest levels figure that out because that's what I'm obsessed with is knowing how you perform at that level and that peak. So what's the training, what's the focus, what's the patterns, what are the things that you have to do that might surprise us? I would say fencing's like physical chess, right? Where it's mentally just as taxing as physically, because I have to think what you're going to do ahead and then react to what you're going to do as well. So I say if three main things would be being explosive, your reaction, and your timing. So if I have to react to you and then my timing of hitting you before you can hit me, I would say it's very, very important. But then it becomes a beautiful dance as well where I'm more of a feeling type of fencer where I like to see what you're going to do. I have to look at your feet and to look at your mannerisms. But then there's guys that are very good too that are very mental and they'll just sit kind of more defensive and kind of pick you apart. I would say fencing is like if boxing, taekwondo and a hundred meters had a baby. Wow. Because it'd be very explosive, rough to gate. It'd be very, very reactive. But then you have to have a feeling of kind of if things go bad, how do I change right away? So it's kind of like there's no real sport like fencing because it's so unique. And then once you see it in person, you're like, oh my god, the real athletes. I'm like, it's don't let the parent wrap. You know, great movie. I'm like, you know, people were like, oh yeah, I'm like, no, no, no, people died 50, 60 years ago. Because it's an actual sword, right? I do the foil discipline. But so I'd say it's like physical chest as well. I tell people where it's just as taxing mentally as it is physically. It's such a unique sport because it is good strength as well as core, angel legs because you're in a squat the entire time. And I think, you know, as you saw, it's so explosive and it can be over in five minutes or 40 minutes. So you'll have a great VO2 as well. You get your heart rate from, you know, 16170 back to the low 70s 80s. So yeah, it's a crazy sport. When you're training for a big tournament, what does your regime look like for how long? So I would say, our preseason, we're doing a lot of cardio and it's like similar to boxing, right? So we'll do 10 rounds on the salt bike because, you know, 20 seconds on, 40 seconds off, 10 times, and we'll do the ski hug and do sprinting. We don't necessarily need too much distance work, but it's more like high intensity, get the heart rate down, get that right right back up again. And then I like to train for five times a week. So Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday is big fencing, which is sparring, kind of get the fencing stamina. And then Tuesday, Thursday, if you want to do Friday as well, it's more of a lesson, which is one and one with your coach, which is, how do I want to get better in this tactical movement? And I said, that's kind of the building block for most fences. Yeah, whether you're 12, whether you're my age, it's pretty intense at a young age. And then how much are you fencing? How much are you training different moves? And yeah, if that's even the right word. Yeah, it's good. Well, I'm very crib. So I like to make up my own move by myself. I like to spend an hour on my own in the gym when no one's there. Well, that's why I find so hard about fencing is that when I saw it at the World Fencing League, to me, I was like, how do they predict anything? Because you could do anything. Like, obviously, the target mark is only the upper part of the body, right? You can't get someone's face. You can't get someone's legs. You can't get someone's feet. But even with that, I was like, the way the fences were moving their foil. I was like, how would you know what they're about to do? Because it's so unpredictable. It's not like, it's not obvious. It's not like, oh, there's this move and this move and this move. Some opponents have like specific mannerisms where like, say, Italians are very good at putting pressure on you, you know, Russians are more tactical. Friends can have both. Oh, it's by country. Kind of, yeah, I would say, yeah. There's a style in each country. And then the Asians have incredible footwork. Like, it's insane. So you can kind of know that with the fencing of Korean, you have to move your legs like crazy. I challenge you to think a lot and react. French, they kind of have everything in one. And then Americans are kind of unpredictable as well. We have our own styles, but I would say for the most part, actually, it is actually by country. Now I'm like, yeah, it is. When you said people died in the sport, how long ago? I would say 67, 65, 70 years ago, because they didn't have the, yeah. So back in the day, it was dry. So smirnoff and beer were fencing. And unfortunately, the foil broke off and went through his eye and it kills immediately. So nowadays, if it breaks, there's a light that comes right away. But back in the day, it was dry. So you just have to hope it doesn't break. So it was real, real like some warrior stuff back in the day. And then now it's obviously progressed. And now we've got a new tech, which we did in the whole league, but it is a, it is, we're literally sword fighting. But I think people don't understand how hard it is until you see it. Like, it's really, really tough. Yeah. And I'll put you know, football around track. I'll play tennis. But I think you do realize it is an intense sport. So if I can give that, you know, kind of knowledge to the people that don't know to understand it more, I think that's a massive key. Yeah. I also feel like you bring your swag to fencing. You just mentioned the Met Gala. Like I'm like, you can go from like fencing outfit to Met Gala streetwear. I'm like, I'm sure you don't see that a lot in fencing either. Yeah. I think you got your own Nike swag. That's the second one. Yeah. Yeah. Honestly, those are dreams. I think like I always knew that I wanted to do something different. And I'd never be in a box. But like, to be yourself and the best of it ever says, well, you've never changed. That's the best compliment. I can't even tell some of my teammates what I'm doing because it just sounds so ridiculous. I don't ever come up as like, I was cocky or, you know, I'm pretty humble if you meet me. So I think if I'm like going from competition in Istanbul to Miami F1 to the Met to going right into training, I people think I don't, I don't miss training. But I'm not, I go from the airplane to training. So I think like it is a lot of pressure, but it also is a blessing. But whatever I'm tired, I'm like, mate, look at your life. Like you're doing some pretty cool things. They're all a blessing. But it is, it is a lot. But I try my best to take some time to, you know, meditate. I'm trying to do that. I'm learning because I'm 80 days. Next time instead of poker, we'll do that with everyone. Yeah, we should know. I love that. Yeah, you know, all before you know, before you, because I think people don't want to spend time with themselves. And for me, I love hell myself. It sounds crazy, but I love just being at home. I'm reading, I'm finishing the untill the soul right now. I'm reading, which is crazy to me. I'm great book. Great book. Obviously, I love TV, I love shows and sports, but I'm trying my best now to like take a deep breath and try and shut my phone off at like 10 30 at home and just, you know, I take some time with myself and like, how are you doing? Are you good? And then I'm good. I'm generally a happy person, like actually happy. So like, I'm good on that. But it's also just like, all right, like take a deep breath and just relax for once. And I think that's my hardest part is the balance. And I think that's the ongoing battle. Yeah, I feel like we all think our worth comes from being busy and productive and always being on. And it's a good distraction away from your actual thoughts. Exactly. I'm what's actually going on inside. And then when you slow down the thought arises and you go, oh gosh, I don't know if I can sit with this. Yeah. And that's what I always say that people that's probably the hardest sport in the world is sitting with your thoughts. Like fighting with your thoughts is the hardest sport in the world. Honestly, 100% because especially like as athletes, right? It's like during the hotel room before and you can't help yourself but to think about tomorrow. So like I read this book about seminars and it said you can't don't worry about what you don't know. And that's why now I never talk about fencing. I never watch fencing until the morning of I don't even know who I fence until the morning. So you don't analyze the opponent until sometimes I don't know him in the fence and time on the strip, which is kind of crazy. Why? Because one time I knew and I couldn't sleep and then I'm envisioning in my head and I wake up and I'm tired. I did it a day. If I don't know what I'm going to do fencing, how the hell could you plan for me? Yeah. Right. So I realized that. So now I don't ever ever take talk of fencing, think about fencing. I don't want to know. I don't even go to the venue now before. I just whatever city I'm in, I kind of walk around. That is definitely unique for an athlete. Oh, it's crazy. Yeah. Why are you doing that? But like that helps me. Yeah. And then that's like how I deal with with pressure because I didn't say pressure is a privilege. But it also comes with a lot of pressure. But also understanding now that like if you can have this understanding that like you're supposed to win competition, that's a gift. So if you can lean into that, like most people don't aren't supposed to win. So they've got no real pressure. Yeah. So I think now understanding that's actually a gift has helped me be like, all right, like just lean into this. So I think just learning more about myself has given me more understanding of the sport of fencing. Yeah. Talk to me about the road to your favourite tournaments, whether it's the Olympics, winning bronze, world champion, like talk to me. Let's talk about the Olympics first because I mean, and you brought us the Olympic medal, which is incredible, which I mean, I've never seen one in real life. Like you said, everyone's wearing the fake ones when they're out or whatever in the pictures. Yeah. I would say getting there, you know, 0.001 percent of the population gets to go to the Olympics. I think it's like 0.001, get a medal, right? So initial thoughts has got 2,000 of them. But I think when you get there, at least my first one, I changed everything. I was serious. I didn't see my friends, which ended up being their own decision. And then the next year, I was like, you know, I'm going to enjoy this. I'm going to get to know my friend the night before. And I won. That was me realising that not everybody is the same athlete. And yes, there's rules and techniques and routines, but like, I'm not like the next person, so I should have prepared like them. So then once I started to understand that I'm different, then that kind of led me up to Rio. And I actually lived in Korea for a little bit. And I trained with young hook him. And I won the first Grand Prix of the season. I thought, why is he going to Korea? I'm like, why not? And I was like, that's why. Because I wanted to learn something new. I think as athletes, change is okay, but sometimes it's hard to take. that leap, right? And then I made Dylan Picks and I had the best team fencing of my life. And I was able to enjoy the moment, the process, being real, you know, meet the other athletes. And I think that was when I realized you need to enjoy the journey because when you're done, besides the metal, memories to me are more important. And if you lose those memories and you've lost, I think the coolest part of the journey. So I think leaning into like the understanding and having fun was ultimately was able to, you know, go to three Olympics and have success. And you know, now I'm like, this kid's like, I'm so stressed. I'm like, what are you stressed about? Because you want to win? That means you care. Next thing. So I've been able to go through each of these abs and flows and have answers to most of them, which I think is the key to success, right? Everybody can be really, really good. If you can unlock the mind, that's when you become a legend. And that's when I'm learning from people who are legends of, you know, taking those risks and being crazy. Because, you know, it takes one person to change the world, right? It's one person to change a sport. And I think if I can be that person, then I've created a whole new roadmap for the next kids to, oh, well, this is different approach for me, which has been a blessing. I love that. I love the idea of you going to career, learning a new school of thought. I love the idea of being this multi-faceted individual because you're so right that whether it's sports, whether it's business, whatever it is, everyone thinks that there's only one way to do it, right? And then you speak to all these founders and you're like, no, they all did something different. They discovered their idea differently. They built teams differently. And they took their human experience and put it into what they were doing. And that's what made it as good as it was. I've really been on this hype of wanting anyone, whatever industry you're in, whether it's sports, media, business, whatever is finance tech to find what it is that makes you different and lean into that and not lean into thinking, how do I look like that other guy who's doing it as well? Because I think that time is gone. I think that time existed. Back in the day, you had to wear the suit like that guy wore and you had to wear the shoes that he wore and you had to play golf like him or whatever it was. And I was like, that's changed now. It just doesn't work that way. Exactly. He said it perfectly because there's always a stigma. I can't ever tattoo because I'm not going to get a job. I told my mom, I'll be the first ever, not that money matters, but I'll be the first ever million offensive. It's like saying I'm going to see a unicorn because it's never existed. But I knew if I was just myself, it would figure itself out, right? Then I have tattoos and then now it's kids are getting tattoos because it's such a still elitist uppity sport and you can't do these things. And I'm like, no, why not? You know, I won't be in the meeting with CEOs. I'm actually sitting with the guy that made your phone and I myself. Right? So like you said, I think that time is gone. I think people are still so scared to take a risk. And I think that's the difference. So many people are the same nowadays, which is I think the issue. And I think if you can just honestly be yourself, you'll forget what life is for you. And I think I never wanted to be like anybody else in sports or life in general. And there were those times when I was like, what's the right decision? But I knew, keep your head down, keep being you and things will happen for you. And they did. I used to think that fencing was like my kind of anchor, always a fencer, but that's actually my gift. I used to lie to people. Oh, yeah, I played basketball, you know, I'd just be like, I'd believe it. Because if people try and make fun of me or trying to fight me or believe me in school, yeah, because I was a fencer. Wow. Because to them, it was not a cool sport. And then now, my Instagram is fencer. And I'm like, that's what I'm doing. That's my purpose. Right? And Michael Strahan, one of my great friends and mentors always told me, never mess up your main and keep that your main. I was like fencing my main. Everything else will come, but just don't lose sight of what you were here on his planet to do. Did it affect you between when your father left, when you were eight, and then before you had your now dad that you mentioned, like, did that affect you in any way? I think I did for sure. And I think there are times of like, now that I'm all like an understand it, like, why you get into trouble? Why you doing these things? Right? I think it's probably dust down from trauma or stemming from something because why else would I be acting up? My mom's amazing mom. She's giving me all the right lessons. Like, why is it happening? Obviously, one of my best things, Lewis was, but if you need to attack that, you need to understand that, right? Like, why is this happening? And now, you know, we went on a spiritual, I went on a spiritual journey and understood, oh, wow. And then I talked to him for 10, for over 10 years. Oh, wow. Yeah. My logical father. Yeah. And then, you know, I had this awakening picked up the phone and called him. I said, hey, dad, this is Miles. How are you? I don't know about the past. How's everything going? Because I also realized that kids don't realize that their parents are growing up as well. And that was like, oh, wow. Not saying it right or wrong. But once I did that, it was like a, and then I think I started to just understand way more about myself. So I think definitely I had trauma without even knowing it was trauma at the time. And then now it's like, I've got such a clear understanding of that probably made me who I am. So I almost wouldn't want any other way. And then my stepdad who is my dad is the most amazing person. He taught me how to be a man. And I think that's the coolest part is having this kind of rollercoaster journey created, you know, this person in front of you. But I think not having that grown up somehow helped me not take no for an answer and really knock some doors down. So I think it definitely was a time when I had to be like, okay, why are you going to trouble? Why are you getting arrested? Why are you doing these things? Did you get arrested? Yeah. One time I was a stupid competition and I was like throwing these like shampoo bottles down just and then it was a stupid. I got handcuffed and then my mom walked in. Oh, this is the worst story. And then my mom walked in as it happened. And I was like, oh my god. You must get a mom in the car. 100%. Oh my god, at that age, for sure. And then it was just like these moments are like, why are you getting in trouble? Why are you getting a fight? It's just, you know, but I think you're all stemmed from trauma that I was like small things like I never had that. What's it? The birds in the bees talk or whatever that is? You're parent or the small little things that I think are important, especially at that age. So I think that was definitely a reason for all of my negative antics was definitely probably because it was just my mom and she was trying her best. No, she was crushing it, but she never complained and never saw her cry. I never saw her anything. And now she's hopefully living the life, but she is the strongest man and woman I know by far. What did your biological dad say when you called him after those 10 years? I remember yesterday it was like a hello. I was like, yes, it's miles. He was like, hi son. And then I was like, listen, I don't care about the past. Do you need anything? How are you? Talked for about, I want to say it was like 45 seconds. I think I remember seeing on the phone. And then it was just like a whoa, but it was like a really nice closing chapter and then opening a chapter. I remember I posted about it because it was very scared and especially like black men, it's very common. You know, I'm a dad. Oh, you know, I talked about it. I got so many lovely messages. I'm going to call my dad and I was like, wow, I didn't realize it was such a big thing to talk about. I've gone through a lot of my life, but they're all blessings in a way. But I think it's so important to address issues and matter of how hard they are for you at the time. Yeah. And now, you know, he's never seen me fence before, which is crazy. And now I'm like, maybe that's, maybe that's a time. You know, who knows? I'm open to it for the first time. I was back in the day. I was like, I'll never talk to you again. But now it's like, what opened you up to it? I think just understanding that everybody has their own issues, whether they're good or bad, I have to understand that as well. Yeah, there's something that he's going on in his life that he hasn't told me or certain things, right? And I think just understanding that the parents are still growing up in front of your eyes. So then all the answers was like, Oh, okay, Miles. Now I know the data will be when I have kids. You know, so I think that was really, really eye-opening for me to understand that you're going to cry, cry, maybe, you know, that's all right. I remember I didn't cry for like 16 years, just like, I'm, you know, just don't call this that. And I was like, it's all right. And there's nothing wrong with that. I think it's such a stigma. And then now I was like, no, like, you have emotions that those are okay. So I think that was just a massive learning process for me, which helped me in my sports. Because now I was like, I couldn't do anything. That was hard. That was way harder. Yeah. Calling him was way harder than any training session. Ever done in my life. I could have done my every I probably would have picked my Everest over over a phone call. I'm not kidding. I think people underestimate how much a lot of our physical and mental blocks are actually emotional. If we were able to get past and do the emotional thing, then we'd be able to do physical mental things that we don't even think is possible. But we're all blocking ourselves and limiting ourselves because there's some sort of emotional unlock that we haven't allowed, whether it's forgiveness, resilience, courage, fear, whatever it may be. And that's really powerful to him. And thank you for sharing that. It feels as good to talk about, you know, it's like, I must forgot we're on a podcast. I feel like we're just having a chat. And I think that's the cool thing. It's like emotions are your best friend, right? If you're feeling a certain way, you can literally lean into it. Just don't let that dictate your entire day. So I think that's something that I learned as well. I'm feeling this way, let it out and then move on. And then it will all ties into just understanding who you are at the core. Because I finally know now who miles is. Because I have to take those, you know, hollow to mirror, figure out, take the losses with all the wins and now understand that. Okay. Now I've got a clear path of what I want to do. (upbeat music) - How did you develop all these mindsets and principles? Where did you learn them from? Because you're like, I'm like talking to a philosopher over here. No, but I mean it, and I'm saying in a positive sense that you've got, it almost feels like you've got these codes that you follow and you programmed your mind to think in a certain way. Where did you pick them up from along the way? - My mom said the same thing recently. And I don't really know where they've come from, but I just feel like if you're gonna have to do something right, why not try and do it with a smile on your face, right? I gotta go to training if I'm hungry or not, I have to do it anyway. And I think one of the biggest moments, which I'll talk about right now, which I don't like to talk about, normally knows, but the first Olympic qualifier, I was on the way to, I believe Vegas to support Lewis for the race, my sister suffered a stroke 37 years old. That was probably the hardest moment I've ever had to kind of understand and I feel like the Olympics. All right, I flew to Miami, opened the door, I see my sister with a feeding tube and a breathing tube. Unfortunately, it's the times when you have to just lead into it. And as the first time I became a man and as the first time I was someone on a cry, so I'm on, but I just was like, okay, this is happening. How do we find some type of silver lining in this moment? And you know, certain hospital writing things down, journaling all those past situations prepared me for this. I was able to just be an umbrella for the family. And I think that was the moment was, okay, wow, I got this. You know, I got two beautiful kids, you know, obviously this is, you know, domestic violence, which is one thing which is awful. And I think this is my sister who, as a brother, she understands what I want to, you know, is take care of my sister. And you know, there's certain things that, you know, she won't tell you all these things because she knows what her brother would want to do. And I was like, okay, Miles, we're gonna figure this out. And I was able to make the Olympic team, which probably the first time anybody's gonna know while dealing with this. I was fly from Japan to Miami, spent some time in the hospital, how about with the kids, changing nappies for the first time, you know, just being there for my family and my mom and dad did the most incredible job I've ever seen of just becoming parents again. And I think that's where, wherever you believe in it is testing you because you know you can handle it. And I realized that I can handle anything. And it was kind of compartmentalizing. This is, you know, going from the hospital ICU to a competition and somehow doing well is the biggest accomplishment I could. I don't even know how I did it to be honest with you. I've got no idea. So making the Olympics was like, that was nothing. So I think that's when you feel helpless, right? And you feel like I can't do anything because I literally can't do anything but just give positive love and energy. And I figured out a way to make my family, fill the ease or smile and, you know, that's gonna help through this process. That to me was the first time I became a man, 100%. So now talking about it and, you know, showing people what I have to go through, I think you realize why I go so hard because there's nothing that will stop me or can stop me. Because I've seen my sister on those ICUs which is the scariest place to be. And as a brother, you know, making her smile and doing these things is why you're putting this on this planet Earth. And I think you've got people around you to talk about it, you know, lose a flying and see my sister. You know, that's the most emotional thing I've ever been to is just time and support. Know how busy he is and, you know, spins just being there. For me, it's like beautiful. So I think if I can take that and it's like my Dragon Ball Z and, you know, build that up and give it to the world, we can do anything. - Thank you for sharing my, how is she now? - She's getting much better. Yeah, I think she's, you know, she's actually in London. - Oh, no, I know. - With that now, she can fly again and-- - Okay. - You know, she's obviously recovery, you know, stroke is very extreme. So she still has to learn speech stuff back. - Yeah. - But she can function on her own and she's stronger than me. So, and as, you know, I'm still a little brother but I became a big, big brother at that time. - I've seen people I know go through strokes and it's, I mean, yeah, it's one of the most scary things to what someone you love go through. - I thought you said. - I thought you said, that's, yeah, that's-- - Healthy, right? - Marathons, I can't run a marathon. - Yeah. - Yeah, you gotta, you know, choose your partner right and stress is a real thing. - Yeah, it puts everything in a perspective those moments. - It's funny because at that time, the Olympics is everything for me. When you get there, perspective is mad because it's like, that's actually the smallest thing you could accomplish in my life because it's obviously definitely the one I do in my life but it's funny how like, at that time, it's not gonna make it my life is over. You know, when they make it, you're like, I'm so grateful, but there's so much more to life than just that. - Marathons, what are you most proud of in your life? 'Cause you told us the hardest times, most difficult times, what are you most proud of so far? - Never losing miles along this journey. I'm still a 12 year old kid, just six five COVID tattoos and changing my sport forever is probably the two things I'm most proud of. Winning's great, but changing a sport is bigger than any Olympic one I could ever win. I got a message recently that this kid used to get bullied in school, a black kid as well from North Carolina, mom sent me a message. He showed them pictures of me at school and that changed. Which is crazy to me, right? So like that to me is so cool. If I can just be a beacon of light to these kids, I've done my job. I think that's one most proud of. I can see if I get an emotional about it. - Yeah, I never thought, man, I never in my life thought I would ever have an impact on these kids. Never, 'cause I'm fancy, I never, anyone that I want to look up to will be like. So if I can see these kids, you know, I believe they come to me and they're like, I love you. I'm like, you know, it's so, I love you too, but it's so beautiful to have this love from them. And the parents are like, oh, you're so nice and kind of normal. I'm like, yeah, my parents raised me to be this way. I think at the end of the day, we're all human beings. And as long as you've got a good heart and a good core, I think that's the most important thing. - Definitely, definitely. And you're so around about that too. I mean, like, you know, you mentioned Louis though as well. Like, he's so humble, he's so down to earth, like, you would never know, you would never know. Like, you know, he's the most unassuming guy. I feel like, who are the other athletes that you admire, that you talk to, that you pick their brain, that you try to understand their process as well and how they live life? - Well, one was definitely Kobe. You know, like, asking him questions, like, do you really watch, like, lions eating prey before? You know, he's like, yeah, and I'm like, oh my God. And just like, that mentality is so rare. You guys why he's, you know, the mom of mentality. That's one of them for sure. Michael Srihan as well, it's been an amazing person of transitional from athlete to post athlete. But yeah, there's not that too many that I spent too much time with. We're able to, like, sit down and really kind of dissect you. - You're all busy, everyone's got a crazy schedule. - Yeah. - Actually, to have the craziest schedules. - You know, it's an understanding of time. It's just there's not, it might be the wrong time, whatever. But I would say definitely, obviously, Lewis, Michael, Kobe, those are kind of the people that I've able to, you know, you as well. - I'm not an athlete. - I mean, you, like you said, you know, if you, I think, I understand your thoughts is the hardest part. - Yeah. - But yeah, there's not many I've really had the opportunity to spend time with beyond just, hi, I just like what you do and best of luck. - Miles, what have I not asked you that you wish I did? What have you not shared? What have you not talked about? - May be lost, great questions. - I was just curious, man. I was like, you know, we just had fun last summer. And that's all thanks to Lewis too. Big shout out to Lewis, connecting us. But I'm like, we just had a good time. And I was like, I want to get to know this guy, you know, 'cause you're obviously offering it at high level. But I didn't realize, and this is what I love about doing this. Like this is why I love this podcast so much is because I thought the most interesting thing was what you did. And now I'm sitting with you. I'm like, no, what you've been through and what you've lived through and what you've learned is so much more interesting. And I think that's the reason why the podcast is called on purpose because it's people's purpose and their mission and their values and their belief is so much more fascinating than what we do for work. What we do for work is great, it's cool. But beyond that, there's a whole human that, you know, that lives in exists. Exactly, exactly. And the human is like, what keeps us going, it's the heart rate, it's everything. But at the end of the day, we have these gifts in life. And it's like, how are you gonna use these in the best way possible, right? So from a little kid from London to having two Nike shoes, never my life to creating a Fencing League, is this all you need in life is self-belief. And I have a tattooed right here. That's all you need in life. If you have those. You know, pinnacles and those beliefs, you can do anything. And I think, you know, meeting you is someone who I've been a fan of before getting to know you. He's even more incredible in person because you, you're the same on camera and off camera, which are very few people are like that, especially in the field you're in. I think that's the case. When people see me, they're like, oh, you're nice and funny. I'm like, yeah, what do you think I was? So, yeah, you guys were a bad influence on me. I played poker for the first time in 20 years. Because of these guys, I hadn't played for 20 years. And the fact that I won that now is pretty impressed, I think. You smoked us, what do you mean? You destroyed us. Watching Lewis go down was the best bit there. Yeah, and he was like, I'm buying him again. I was like, okay, well, send me some money, bro. I hadn't played for 20 years, but I was like, you know, I want to bond with the guys. Yeah, I want to stay out, you know, I want to hang out and say, guys are a bad influence on me, for sure. No, but you're one of us now, you know, all the wolf pack. But it's, that's all I'm so grateful for was like, collections beyond just, you know, these kind of selfless levels, like I know that if I was to ever like, talk to you about something, you give me an honest answer. I think that's the key. I never want any friends or people around me that it's like, are you doing good? It's like, let me be real with you. I think that's the key is whoever is around you is a fraction of yourself. So like, you know, all the boys spend all this amazing humans that push me to be better person. I think that's the key to why we're so special in our crews because we keep each other accountable, we support each other and we generally want each other to win. But I think it's a very rare thing for people, especially men in general. I was about to say that's what's so impressive about it is that it's a group of men who are killing it on their sports, like doing incredible things. But at the same time, have this, like brotherhood that you guys have all built with each other, that feels like a massive, massive thing to be proud of, especially when right now men, there's so much loneliness for men across the world, especially in the States, the loneliness statistics are so high. Amanda and I are connected with each other. They can't pick up the phone to each other. What would you say to a man who's lonely? It doesn't add a pick up the phone to his friend and tell him how he feels. What would you say? This quote was, was we're just passing through an attitude here where it's, whatever moment you're feeling, no, that's not forever. Right. And I think that's something to understand is like, this is not going to be forever. But also people want to know what is really going on with you. And I think it's not, you're not a burden. It's actually a gift to be able to like have your friends, you know, be honest and true to themselves about you. Like that's actually it, I love to hear that. I get actually lightens my day, whether it's a sad thing, it's like, oh no, he really cares about me because he's coming to me as one of the lost, you know, kind of results. So I would just say you're leaning to however you're feeling, but please just call your friends, like you're never alone. I'm grateful that I've never been in that situation. But if I ever was, I know I could call any of my boys out and they'll get me through it. If you lose a race, lose competition, I'm a courier like, bro, that's how I feel. And then you feel better. Just know that this emotion is not forever. And it's actually beautiful to talk to your friends about it because it actually makes me feel good knowing that you're coming to me. So it's almost like it's therapy for the both of us. So I think, yeah, just, just talk. And being lonely like this, and I want anyone to feel lonely. If I see a little kid at the club or a competition, I'll just go up to them. Hey, man, how are you? You're right. It takes two seconds. And that might be like, oh, he's a high to me. That might change everything. Also, I think knowing your, your purpose and your celebrity, you know, mind of the fencing world, those moments change lives. And I think seeing that is, is really, really cool. You know, I'll be driving sometimes I'll just scream, I love you. Why not? You know, it's just, it's just nice. And I think, you know, I'm just generally a happy person. But if I can, as you really, really, I'll leave you with this. Spin's message to me. And it was a quote was like, I make people feel better when they've left me. And it was the best thing I could, you know, I get it. And he sent it to me. That is the best thing. But that feels, that's my favorite type of person. You know, like that feels so nice. It's like, oh, I feel good now. Yeah, so if I can, if I can be that, please. Samar's walk us through the gear because he's going to bring back some memories for me. Of course, yeah, yeah, I got to you. So this is, these are my babies here. So we have two masks. What's the difference in the mask? Just like, just a swag. Yeah, yeah. Just a swag. And you can see through these. Yeah, perfectly. Yeah. There's actually a gift from you, gift to you. Oh, no way. I'm assigned to you. Yeah. No, no way. Yeah. It's one of that, there's all on my Olympic ones I use. No, dude, that's very kind. I'm going to put it up in the studio. That's it. It's literally one I use. You got to sign this for me. Yeah, yeah, that's so cool. I use four and I, and so that's what I want to do. Dude, that means a lot, man. Thank you so much. That's amazing. What, what an honor. That's so cool. This is it. So this is the, the foil that I use. And all of them are like, custom made for your hands, right? So this is molded specifically for my hand. And this is one that I train with. And then this is the tip now, which would you know. We used to have the rubber thing on it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's like what you would train with. But this is like what I practice. Yeah, this competition wise, can I hold it? Yeah, of course. This is like, so this has been made specifically for your hand. Yeah. So you're going to put your thumb for the end of it. Yeah. So right, right towards the goal. Like this. Yeah, underneath it. Yeah. And then grip it. Like that. Yeah. Wow. Yeah, that's the grip strength. That's why that's crazy. She has this massive muscle here because it's like all grip strength. Wow. Yeah. And they have like, you know, a bunch of them. Is there a difference in any of them or no? But they just, you just have multiple for, I'll like name them. Yeah. And this is my baby number one, whatever, because they're all the same weight. Yeah. All the way the same way and try and be the same balance. If you can, like, like, you can, you know, but the balance. What does the balance tell you like? So like if it's more here, then it means it's more tip heavy. And then if it goes back more, then it's more god heavy. So this is god heavy. Yeah, exactly because it just keeps it in the mouth. Yeah. So I, because my, I'm more difference. Does that make when you're fighting? For me, it doesn't really matter. But like sometimes if you want to attack them more, then it's easier. If it's more tip heavy, but for the most part, you can kind of just, yeah. It's kind of crazy. This is my job. Yeah. No, I know. This one is one that I, one figure which we'll cut with, but this is one that you're going to have as well. Oh, what? No, what dude? You guys keep giving me gifts. No, those two. I want to give you something that I've used. But those two are legitimate gifts for you. Dude, you're kidding. You have to do that. No, but I want it and then the tip broke off on someone. Oh, there's a story behind it when you win. So you left a mark on them as well? Yeah. So you can literally say like, yeah, I almost, it wasn't all the days. It might have went through them, but those, that's crazy. That's so kind. I want to give you, oh, that's very kind. They's going to go up in the studio. Yeah, yeah. This is such a cool gift. I bring like three or four with me and then I was like, I'm going to give Jay a gift. Oh, thank you, man. That's, I'm touched. I'm really touched. That's really, it's honestly a pleasure. Thank you, man. That means a lot. And now I'm competing. Oh, look, he's got one here. You have to sign this for me then. I want for sure. But yeah, this is, this is, yeah, it's crazy. This is my world and was it hard to decide whether you fought for America or England? Yeah. I mean, Lucy tells me every other day, but I'm like, if you can get me knighted, we'll see. Oh, yeah. But I did it. Yeah. Well, I was going to be a professional fan. So I did it because we needed, instead of an O2 visa, we needed to just stay in the country. And then my little sister was born in New York and then that's how we got our citizenship. And then I was like, oh, wow. And then it was too late. Did they try to have me do media training? I was like, to switch my accent. Yeah. You know, because I'm from London and then I was like, I'm like, I'm not going to change it. Yeah, of course. But, you know, obviously, you know, America's done amazing things to me, so I'm grateful for this country. But obviously, I was born in, you know, St. Mary's Hospital. So. I'm so London. I love that. But yeah. So cool, man. Thank you for these gifts. My pleasure, mate. It's amazing. I was like to come to someone and give someone something. No, that's very thoughtful. That's very thoughtful. Yeah. It's been amazing. Honestly, I feel like I've got to know you on such a deep level. This is the good thing about podcasts, too, even when you think you know someone, you sit down and talk to them for like an hour and a half and you're like, oh, wait a minute. I didn't realize we end every episode of on purpose with a final five. These questions have to be answered in one sentence maximum. Okay. Miles Chammley Watson, these are your final five. Question number one, what is the best advice you've ever had to receive? It's never lost. Good advice. Question number two, what's the worst advice you've ever had to receive? That you should never show a motion. Oh, that's a great answer. I don't think we've ever had that on the show. I like that. Question number three, what makes a good friend? Someone who you can call no matter what, who's always there for you and who calls you, not wanting anything. That's the best phone call when neither of you need nothing. Yeah. Two hours of talking about nothing. Yeah. I talked to my best man. Who's my best man? For the last 20 years, I talked to him three times a week on the phone. We never catch you up. I already know what's going on in his life. There's not, yeah. And there's never asking each other when it's amazing. Question number four, what's something that you used to value, that you don't value anymore? Something that I used to value is other people's attention, something that I value now is people's time. You know, one thing I could think of is obviously that my league debut is obviously having someone come there to support me knowing how busy they are, showing up for me, knowing how important your time is, means so much to me because I know that time was occupied. So knowing that your time is so important and you chose to spend it with me is bigger than doing anything for me. Fifth and final question, we ask this to every guest who's ever been on the show. If you could create one law that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be? No matter the color of the person. and skin, you give them a hug. - It's a good one. I like it. - A hug can cure everything. Can I ask you a question? - Yeah, go on. - What's the most thing that you're proud of? - There's, I'd say two things. One is when I get messages that say, you know, your work stopped me from committing suicide or helped me through my divorce or made me chase my dream or quit my job or whatever it was, and getting to message that person back and say, "I didn't do it, you did." Like, I love that because I like reminding people that I don't have the answers. They already know what they want to do. I'm just glad that someone I interviewed, someone I sat down with had that impact on them. And the second thing I'd say is that I feel like I'm really grateful that I get to be the postman for this 5,000 year old tradition. So just as you're the face offencing, for me, I got to study this Eastern tradition of the Gita, the Bhagavad Gita, which is a book, which is 5,000 years old, and I'm just today's messenger of it. And I'll be forgotten. That's all good, but the message continues on. And I feel so grateful that I get to be the messenger for an empire that is much bigger than I am and much longer lasting than I am and how lucky I am that I get to be that person. So yeah, those would be my two. - Wow. - Don't flip any more questions. - No, no, no, that was an amazing answer. My mom sends me a bunch of clips and they hover them from you. (laughs) It's amazing, but keep doing what you're doing, man, and grateful to call your friend. So what you do is, is remarkable. - Appreciate you, Mars. Everyone who's been listening and watching, make sure you clip this up, share it on social media. Let me know what resonated. Mars dropped so many gems. I feel like there was so many, now get to wisdom. He's been dropping more quotes than I did today. So make sure you clip them up. I wanna see what resonated with you, what connected with you. And of course, if you're an aspiring fancier, aspiring athlete, aspiring anything, I think there's so many great mindset pieces in this episode that will help you get to where you wanna be. Big thank you to Mars again for coming through. Excited to keep supporting you, keep building our friendship, and let this be the first in many, sir. Thank you, that's an honor, thank you. - Thank you, absolutely, man. - If you love this episode, you'll love my conversation with four-time Grand Slam Champion, Arena Sabilenca, where she reflects on her latest victory and the mental battles that almost broke her along the way. - For me, success is the discipline that you put in. Be there every morning, every practice, It doesn't matter how you feel, it doesn't matter if you want it.