Truth and daring: Fencer Miles Chamley-Watson on daring to be himself

Miles Chamley-Watson has spent years breaking barriers in the world of fencing. But it’s all part of a lifelong mission to make change.

Authenticity.

It’s a sought-after commodity in the social media era, in a time when fake news gets enough reposts and illusions go viral.

But when brands choose someone to embody their message — to become the face of a franchise — their ambassador must capture its essence effortlessly. They must live their lives leading to that point in time, becoming synonymous with a single word that a particular brand hopes to epitomize.

Olympic fencer Miles Chamley-Watson has always been daring.

Chamley-Watson is the first official ambassador for Daring Foods, a company that creates 100 percent plant-based chicken that ​​”looks, cooks and tastes just like the animal-based counterpart.” Although Daring doesn’t make real chicken, it holds a mirror to a hard American truth: we eat too much chicken, and we don’t treat the birds or humans involved in making it fairly.

In 2020, Americans consumed over 9 billion chickens. That’s 27 chickens per person per year, and not everyone even eats chicken — an estimated five percent of Americans are vegetarian.

When Daring looked closer at this unsustainable demand, they saw an industry “mired in harsh realities of which far too many people are unaware.” In the midst of a chicken finger shortage and the exploitation of Tyson Food workers for managerial recreation, Daring Foods’ mission is more pertinent than ever.

The plant-based food company was founded on a simple, singular truth:

If we encourage people to make one simple change, they can change the world.

The truth is, there’s a better way to eat beloved foods while saving the planet and sparing the lives of billions of chickens. No one knows how to live an unconventional truth more than Chamley-Watson, a biracial kid from London who was shaped by merciless bullying in childhood. When his family moved to New York City, Chamley-Watson picked up a weapon in his right hand, and he was never the same: he became a right-handed foil fencer who made Olympic history.

In an exclusive interview with FanSided, Miles Chamley-Watson spoke on how fencing made him feel like Spiderman, what it’s like to be a Black pioneer in a historically aristocratic European sport, and how Daring aligns with his own missions in life.

*Note: In fencing, blades are referred to as “weapons.”

Miles Chamley-Watson is making change by daring to be himself

FanSided: I wanted to talk to you about what you’ve been doing. I saw you competing recently, but I’m very excited to hear that you’ll be in Paris [competing in the 2024 Olympics]. Maybe we can get started and you can tell me how you got started in fencing?

Miles Chamley-Watson: So I was born in London, and in London, we played — I never played or had an interest in sports like football (soccer for you) rugby, cricket. And… I was kind of a pain in the butt, a bad kid. So when I moved to America, I went to public school, and then that didn’t work out too well for me. [Laughs] Just, you know, I lasted three days and then my mom met this woman who worked at the admissions program in a boarding school. And she was like, ‘Alright, we’ll get him out of the interview, let’s see how he does.’ Crushed the interview, because of the accent, I think. And then, ‘Oh, okay, if you can get a tuition grant, but as punishment, you have to pick up either tennis, fencing or badminton.” And I was like, “Alright, whatever, swords are fun, picked it up, loved right away, and the rest is history.

FanSided: You’ve spoken so much about how, even at that moment when you got started with fencing, you were being bullied a lot, so that’s something you’re vocal about today. On Instagram, you said, “Kids not getting bullied is more important than any medal.”

Can you speak about those formative experiences and how they continue to shape you today?

Miles Chamley-Watson: For sure. I mean, you know, I was, in London we say, a “mixed-race” kid. Well, you know, biracial, playing a sport that nobody’s heard about which is typically predominantly a white sport. And then you throw on that I’m like a 6-foot, skinny, lanky kid that looked like a praying mantis. So I just kind of had all these crazy experiences.

They were always making fun of me — I didn’t let them, but they would always make fun of me. And you know, I always stood up for myself, but I see now… Parents would message me, kids would message me, that they don’t get bullied now in school because they show kids photos of me online or my videos.

That’s when I was saying, inspiring kids and being the person that they can look up to kind of as someone to look up to in my sport is, to me, more powerful than winning any medal. I think inspiring the kid or giving kids help is the best feeling in the world. And since you’re doing it by being yourself, it’s even better.

FanSided: I completely agree, and your posts are very inspirational.

When you were getting bullied, did it almost feel like it was this literal way of arming yourself because you chose fencing as a sport? Is there some sort of correlation there? What did it feel like to physically pick up a sword and start this sport that allowed you to attack and defend yourself?

Miles Chamley-Watson: I think for me, it was putting on the mask: you felt like a superhero. And I put that on, and I was like, “Oh, wow.” And then, kind of what else was going on in my life… you know, at 11 [years old], like those problems. And it was just like, putting a mask on and putting the sword in my hand, you felt powerful. And that, to me, was the best feeling ever. I think it was wanting to be a superhero as a little kid as everyone does, like I love Spiderman, and then being a professional fencer… It’s crazy. I mean, I’m a swordfighter, if you think about it.

I think it definitely is one of the reasons why I fell in love with it because I’m arming myself with a weapon, and I think it’s beautiful. One-on-one combat sport is intimate. It’s basically, let the best man win, and I think it goes back to the simple times when you were dueling to survive.

FanSided: I know, it’s really interesting to think about fencing history, which is so different from any other sport in practice. Even at the Olympics, it’s one of the oldest ones that’s been practiced.

For you, you put this on, and you’re a kid in the 2000s thinking of SpiderMan, but it’s a historic sport, and your place in that sport is incredible.

You’re the first man of color and first American to win a World Championship title. [Chamley-Watson won a bronze medal in Men’s Team Foil in Rio 2016]. What does that mean for you in this storied legacy of this sport that spans back hundreds of years, and as you said, it’s a European sport, predominantly white… What was that like?

Miles Chamley-Watson: I think that was, by far, the greatest moment of my life.

Being the first is always the best feeling, no matter what it is, to be the first person. And still, no one has done it yet since, but I think it shows that anything is possible. And people thought I was crazy, and when it happened, they’re like, ‘Oh, wow, he’s not crazy.’

So it’s still credited in the history books. And it actually was a humbling experience too, for me. For some reason, I got humbled, and I was less cocky. I was less…it was really weird. I think it just humbled me because I’m the first person that’s done it, but the sport’s been around for 500 years. I’m like, ‘Wow.’ I hope that there’s someone looking at it that can say, ‘Oh, wow, I could do it, too.’ Because nobody even thought like that growing up, nobody even thought it was possible, because only the Italians won or the Russians won or whatever. Just nobody felt like the winner could be American. So that’s definitely one of the things where I love to push boundaries — I just think big. We have one more thing to build toward, which is Olympic gold. But I think we’re on the right track.

FanSided: I wanted to ask you about this mask-superhero correlation. We often look at athletes as heroes, especially Olympians, so you are a hero in so many regards. What does that mean to you to be a hero in fencing and in other areas of your life?

Miles Chamley-Watson: That’s a pretty good thing to think about. I wouldn’t consider myself a hero yet, or, I mean, people say I am to them, but it’s just a crazy thing to me. It’s an honor, though.
To be an inspiration is nice; it’s a privilege. And I think being an athlete, especially an Olympic athlete, we have the platform to speak on things or talk about things that are important to us. You can use your platform for that… I can use the right way, or be a hero for some people, like that… that’s an amazing feeling. So, thank you for that, but I just want to be an inspiration to kids who might think it’s impossible. It just takes one person to do it.

FanSided: It does. That’s your place in history, and it’s so important — you’re carving that path for others. I couldn’t help but notice, but you’ve gone from a kid being bullied to being the face of brands. I know you’re a model, and you’re one of the faces of American fencing. What is that like for you?

Miles Chamley-Watson: [Laughs] It’s funny though because I still feel like getting recognized is kind of crazy to me, but now, living in L.A., people will yell on the street, “Fencer!” It’s funny to me because that’s my Instagram name, but it’s weird that people are starting to be like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I mean that, to me, is the crazy thing, when people that I look up to are messaging me, saying, ‘What you’re doing is amazing, we’re getting stopped in the street, or whatever it might be.

It’s cool that they know me for fencing, and obviously modeling is another pleasure of mine, I love doing it. But it’s cool to be known for news that is everlasting and it’s very unique. It’s still crazy to me to be paid to be a face of these brands and face of the sport that changed my life. And the scary thing is, we’re just warming up. [Laughs]

FanSided: We talked about how old this sport is, but you know, there’s always been this class barrier and it’s been an aristocratic sport for a long time. We talked about you being a part of this sport, but do you also feel like fencing is becoming more mainstream and accessible?

Miles Chamley-Watson: That’s a good question. I think epee fencing is definitely on the way to being mainstream for sure. I think my goal has been to bring visibility to the forefront and to bring an audience in as well. It’s still got that “stuffy” stigma, but I think getting new kids from all walks of life in the sport is definitely going to be huge. And it just kind of needs to be… it’s one of the oldest sports, like athletics and wrestling. It started out as just combat and “first blood” and I think it’s just a pure sport, and now, people are starting to see how cool it is and the direction and love for the sport. It’s been amazing to get reception and friends who believe in me. Another thing is that me being a fencer is me being someone that is breaking barriers in my world and taking something that is so small to the world.

FanSided: I want to know more about how you’re challenging the status quo and challenging people to also rise to the occasion.

Miles Chamley-Watson: Yeah, I think the sport is so conventional and I think me coming in here…You challenge every role, and every new role is horrible. The way I fence and the audience, I think that’s why it’s so important to me to be working with brands that also challenge their own field. If you’re not challenging a sport or challenging a field, you’re doing a disservice to yourself. I always want to push the boundaries, right? And create a better future by just being myself but also just seeing that, you know, I can change the sport, right? And on my own, which takes a lot of… it’s a lot, but I think it’s also the greatest responsibility.

I always want to start challenging all the people that I work with, the people that I train with, just challenging the norm. I think it’s time to change the game, per se.

And I think that’s why it’s such a perfect relationship [with Daring] because I’m changing my sport or changing the entire game of niche sports and Daring’s not only changed the plant-based game, but they’ve changed food in general. I think that’s such a… not only for the environment, but we need it for our bodies, but also, it’s literally going to change the world. Literally. Sustainability-wise, you can’t keep this up, and they’re leading that forefront. And I think being the first in that field is the best feeling, and I think that’s why literally it’s the perfect relationship. I couldn’t even imagine anyone else… it’s such an organic partnership and thought system. Our core values have turned into a powerful, — very powerful — campaign that I’ve been a part of.

FanSided: What are some misconceptions about vegan athletes?

Miles Chamley-Watson: I think the misconception is that you can only get protein from meat, right? And I think I’ve also been learning nutrition, and I’ve worked on the most balanced diet. I incorporate vegan [foods] — I’ve been eating Daring for a while — but I also incorporate eating meat as well because for my body type and for my blood type, it’s important to have both. I eat a very healthy, balanced diet. I like to incorporate plant-based [foods], like I don’t drink milk and stuff, but I like to eat meat and cheese, but also have a very plant-based or vegetarian diet as well. So there’s balance… it’s a healthy balance. And I think if you can kind of incorporate both, the body will be pristine.

FanSided: Of course. Tom Brady isn’t vegan, but he has a very heavily plant-based diet and won the Super Bowl, so I feel like things like that, and then there’s you…

Miles Chamley-Watson: Yeah, it’s like aging backwards.

I think it’s too, just being plant-based, you can add this into your diet, but I like to get the best of each world, right? Being plant-based can teach you a lot and I think it’s important, just, listen your body, we’re all different. And Daring doesn’t have a million ingredients, so you know everything that’s in it. That’s also a nice thing, too, when you’re eating these products, ‘What’s in it? Now I know.’ Incorporating a healthy diet is what I’m about.

FanSided: I know with vegan foods, taste and texture are important too. What’s your favorite meal with Daring?

Miles Chamley-Watson: Oh, there’s this bangin’ Asian Daring chicken salad, it’s so good. That’s my meal number two of five. I crush that. You take Daring chicken, avocado, sesame seeds and then there’s this hoisin-sesame dressing.

FanSided: What are you hoping to change and inspire with this specific campaign?

Miles Chamley-Watson: I think just challenging yourself, and I love the idea of how Daring started right? It’s like, ‘I dare you to maybe try and limit your intake and see how you feel.’ I think daring and challenging yourself is what I think we should do as human beings. And I think it’s just something we should just try and do: ‘Try this product and incorporate it into your routine, like once a week or whatever you might do, and you’ll feel better.’ But I think the whole concept of the stigma of this is just trying it. And then that’s the thing: just try it. [Sings] And you’ll love it!

FanSided: What is next for you and how can we support you?

Miles Chamley-Watson: Thank you for the support. We’ve got a lot of new things coming out. I want to end the year on a gold medal [at the 2021 December North American Cup], and then just you know, humbly we’re saying this, but we’re going into 2022, so just end the year strong, and I feel like great things are coming. Keep on the lookout!

Miles Chamley-Watson finished sixth in the 2021 December North American Cup. Chamley-Watson, who won the gold medal at this event in 2013, earned an A21 ranking from this event — the highest ranking for an American fencer.