First tattoo at 2012 London Olympics
Miles got his first tattoo at the 2012 London Olympics; it reads 'From London to London' and started his now-extensive collection of purposeful tattoos.
Snapshot · On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Miles Chamley-Watson: #1 Mindset Shift That Changes Everything (Try THIS to Stay Sharp, Focused, and In Control)
Explore episode
Jun 3, 2026
Where this was said
Bouncing Back From Your Biggest Defeat
At 11:17 · chapter starts 10:28
Jay presses Miles on the role of mentors in elite sport, and Miles delivers a layered answer. Ellen Grayson was the first to look at him and see an Olympian, a declaration he initially found offensive. Eric Rosenberg pushed him toward US citizenship — a decision that would define who he is to this day. But the most formative relationship was with coach Simon Gershon, who became like a father figure Miles can tell anything. Gershon's central teaching — that you must learn to lose before you can win — became so important that Miles had it tattooed on his body. The two men speak daily. Miles draws a direct line from this relationship to his own desire to be a mentor for younger fencers now, through the World Fencing League. The lesson, he says, is bigger than sport: it applies to every area of life. [1] — Miles Chamley-Watson "You must learn how to lose before you can learn how to win." 10:01
First Black American world champion in fencing
In 2013, Miles Chamley-Watson became the first ever Black American world champion in the history of fencing.
The Kobe Bryant Advice That Changed Everything
After finishing fourth at the 2012 London Olympics and feeling like he'd let everyone down, Miles ran into Kobe Bryant in the Olympic Village. Kobe told him: 'The best athletes have the shortest memory.' Miles got the quote tattooed on his leg with Kobe's face — and went on to win the World Championship the very next year.
Kobe's memory advice tattooed on leg
After meeting Kobe Bryant at the 2012 Olympics, Miles had Kobe's advice — 'the best athletes have the shortest memory' — tattooed on the back of his leg with Kobe's face.
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