From Athlete to Advocate to Coach: How Camille Watson Builds Championship Culture On and Off the Track  

For Camille Watson, track and field has always been more than a sport. It’s been a way to grow, to connect, and to build something that lasts. Her story is about drive, leadership, and the kind of culture that outlives medals and records.

The Spark

Camille Watson grew up just outside of Toronto during what she calls a “really exciting time” for track and field.

“I grew up just 30 minutes outside of Toronto during a time when, in my opinion, high school track and field was at a high (very biased opinion). My high school graduating class in the area all went to run in college at the NCAA level or in college at home. That in and of itself was always extremely encouraging,” she says.

It wasn’t just competition that drew her in; it was a community. “My parents both ran track when they were in high school and I had been running since I was really young, with a mix of other sports, whether it was karate, softball, volleyball, you name it.”

At one point, Camille thought about walking away from it all. “By my junior year of high school, I had called off the idea of being an athlete and wanted to be ‘normal.’” But when her friends joined The Speed Academy in Pickering, she couldn’t resist the pull. “Track and Field in Toronto is an exciting time, track and field across Canada is exciting, and that natural desire to compete and be with my friends who were doing the exact same thing drew me back immediately.”

That decision would take her to LIU, where she became not only a standout sprinter but a captain. A leader trusted to set the tone for her team.

The Grind

Life as a student-athlete tested everything Camille had learned about hard work and self-belief.

“These two experiences were the epitome of resilience,” she says. “Competing at that level really helped me not only build my leadership style but my adaptability and confidence in leading others while learning how to show grace.”

Some seasons tested her strength far beyond the track. “This was the first year fully back into the scope of college track and field after Covid. My body had changed, my mindset around the sport had been altered, and my head coach was currently not there. That was a huge test of resilience, needing the mentorship I was used to and having to navigate my body changing in my early 20s. That season I dug deep on leaning on my teammates to help keep me focused and centred around the sport I loved the most.”

Her time at LIU taught her that true leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up through uncertainty, adapting, and supporting others even when things get hard.

Advocacy Beyond the Track

Camille’s leadership didn’t stop at the finish line. While she was competing at LIU, she helped launch a chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a nonprofit organization that gives student-athletes space to talk openly about mental health.

“The Hidden Opponent is a non-profit mental health organization helping student athletes navigate their mental well-being while sharing stories and experiences of mental health in college sports,” she explains.

It was work that hit close to home. “I myself had a fair share of mental health struggles in college and transparently worked with a therapist during my undergrad years, which was amazing for my own growth. With that being said, it was extremely refreshing to be a member of an organization that was driving conversation around student athletes’ mental health and ensuring there was advocacy and respect and transparency in those conversations.”

When asked how the athletic community can help continue breaking down stigma, Camille doesn’t overcomplicate it. “With an abundance of grace.”

That mindset. empathy first, always, is something she’s carried into every role since.

The Shift

After her college career, Camille transitioned into coaching while pursuing her MBA. She now works with sprinters and hurdlers at Wagner University, guiding athletes not just through races but through growth and adversity.

It’s a natural fit, but one that required her to adjust how she leads. “Biggest lesson for myself was definitely patience and grace. Knowing that I have a type A personality, slowly knowing when and how to turn that down and not just ‘leading’ from the typical angle of leadership, but being a good friend, teammate, and understanding person to adapt that style.”

That approach defines how she coaches today, firm when needed, but always grounded in understanding. It’s the kind of leadership that builds trust and long-term success, not just quick results.

Looking Ahead and Legacy

Ask Camille what she hopes her athletes remember most, and her answer comes straight from the heart.

“To be good people, through and through. Track and Field isn’t forever, and I hope from anything they have ever heard me ramble about is to be good people, kind to themselves and one another, and to truly see everything, every blessing as an opportunity.”

Her advice to young athletes is simple but powerful. “Dig deep on learning who you are as a person, what motivates you, what wakes you up in the morning, what grinds your gears, what the peak of perfection looks like for you, and then use that as a driving force to build success. You can’t copy what others do, as it won’t be genuine. Draw from those experiences, of course, for inspiration, but be authentically you.”

That’s exactly what Camille has done. Her path from athlete to advocate to coach is a testament to what happens when you lead with authenticity, resilience, and heart.

At Legend, we believe the same thing, that real legacy isn’t built in the medals you win, but in the culture you create and the people you lift along the way. Camille Watson is living proof of that.