Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Williams.
Hi Sydney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Sydney Williams, and I’m a small-town girl through and through. I was born and raised in Apple Springs, a tiny community tucked away in East Texas. Even though that’s what our address said, I actually attended Centerville ISD (in Groveton), which was closer to home. Life in the country was simple—our nearest full grocery store was over 30 minutes away unless you counted Brookshire Brothers or Family Dollar.
My childhood was spent outdoors, constantly riding horses or stirring up chaos with my little brother, Trevor, as my partner in crime. My mom is a teacher who’s worked at several schools in the area, and my maternal grandfather is the preacher at our local church. Everyone in the area knows my dad and his side of the family—they’ve been around there forever.
When I was six, I discovered my passion for rodeo and the western lifestyle. My dad and his family were always riding horses and team roping, and I have some of my fondest memories tagging along to jackpots and rodeos with him. That’s where the love of having a horse under me and a rope in my hand began. I started roping the dummy and running barrels at youth rodeos, and at 13, I roped off a horse for the first time. That moment changed everything.
That same year brought highs and lows. I qualified for the Junior High Rodeo State Finals in Breakaway and Pole Bending—Breakaway came naturally, while Pole Bending was more of a challenge. Unfortunately, I also lost two of my best horses to an unknown cause. With limited options, we turned to a gray horse my parents had, named Fly Guy. We started working with him in poles, and he turned out to be the best horse I’ve ever ridden. Fly Guy and I went on to dominate the high school rodeo scene together.
When I was 13, I also downloaded TikTok on a whim and started posting fun videos—jokes about rodeo life, behind-the-scenes content from our day-to-day, and anything else that felt true to me. At first, the platform grew slowly, but by my sophomore year, things exploded. I was gaining 2,000 to 10,000 followers a month, which led to incredible opportunities in modeling, content creation, and brand collaborations. I found myself juggling booking shoots and planning videos during the week, while competing at major rodeos on the weekends. Eventually, my platform helped pay for some of my rodeo expenses, which was such a blessing.
Two weeks after I graduated high school, my entire family packed up and moved to Stephenville, Texas—several hours away from the little town that raised me. I started my college journey at Tarleton State University, majoring in Cardiovascular Sonography. I’m currently finishing my prerequisites at Tarleton before transferring to Weatherford College to complete the program. Alongside school, I rope for the Tarleton Rodeo Team and continue to create content on TikTok, while also pursuing modeling. I hope to branch out even more into acting and commercial work in the near future.
Today, life feels like a dream. I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities, a family that supports me unconditionally, and a strong community of friends and followers who cheer me on.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in life ever comes easy, and my journey has been no exception. Behind every win, every viral video, and every rodeo buckle are countless late nights, sacrifices, and heartbreaks. I’ve faced more than a few bumps along the way—from devastating horse injuries, like my horse Fly Guy’s near career-ending wreck, to the emotional toll of moving away from the only hometown I’d ever known. Leaving behind friends and family wasn’t easy, and not all friendships made the move with me. Balancing rodeo, modeling, school, and content creation has been overwhelming at times—especially while tackling challenging coursework and preparing for a competitive medical program. There are days when finding time to rope, study, shoot content, and just breathe feels impossible. But I’ve learned that growth only comes through the hard stuff. Every struggle has made me more disciplined, more driven, and more grateful for the life I’m building. It’s far from easy, but it’s all been worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently working toward a career in cardiovascular sonography because I’m genuinely fascinated by the heart—how it works, how it sustains life, and how technology can help diagnose issues early on. I love the mix of science, hands-on skill, and patient care. It’s not an easy path, but I’m proud of the dedication and discipline it’s taken to push through challenging classes like Anatomy & Physiology and keep showing up with a genuine desire to help people.
Outside of scrubs and textbooks, I’m also deeply rooted in ranch life. I grew up around cattle and horses, and breakaway roping is something I’m seriously passionate about. There’s something about the grit, the timing, and the trust between you and your horse that just makes you feel alive. Ranching has taught me how to work hard, stay humble, and never back down from a challenge—qualities I carry with me in every part of life.
And then there’s the creative side—I’ve done modeling and content creation on social media, which is a whole different kind of expression. I enjoy using that space to share little pieces of my life—whether it’s rodeo weekends, health and fitness, or just everyday moments that feel real and relatable. I think what sets me apart is how I blend these different worlds. I can rope a calf in the dirt one day and show up polished and confident in front of the camera the next.
I’m proud of my work ethic, my heart, and my ability to stay grounded in who I am—whether I’m in the arena, in the clinic, or in front of the lens.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just starting out, whether it’s in school, rodeo, modeling, or building your personal brand, don’t expect to have it all figured out right away. You won’t—and that’s okay. The key is to start anyway. You’ll learn as you go, mess up, pivot, grow, and come out stronger for it.
Here’s what I wish I knew when I was starting:
1. Discipline beats motivation. You’re not always going to feel motivated to study, to practice, to train, or to show up. But showing up consistently—even on the hard days—is what separates the good from the great.
2. You don’t have to fit in one box. You can be into science and sports and fashion. You can live for the ranch but also love glam. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to pick one version of yourself. Your uniqueness is your strength.
3. Learn to rest, not quit. Burnout is real, especially when you’re pushing hard toward big goals. It’s okay to step back and breathe. Resting isn’t weakness—it’s part of the process.
4. Ask questions and seek mentors. Whether it’s a professor, a fellow roper, a tech in the field, or someone killing it on social media—don’t be afraid to reach out, connect, and learn from people who’ve been there. Most of them want to help.
5. Confidence isn’t built overnight. It comes from keeping promises to yourself, failing a few times, and realizing you’re capable of way more than you thought. Be proud of the small wins. They’re what build the foundation.
Last thing—don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Celebrate every little step forward, take photos, romanticize the grind, and give yourself some grace. You’ve got this.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: sydney.b.williams
- Youtube: sydney.b.williams
- Other: Tik Tok sydney.b.williams
Image Credits
Bethany Paige Photography
(Same as instagram handle)
Brianna Tucker Photography
(same as instagram handle)
