From Beach Sprints to Mic Drops: How Katie Williams Turned Overthinking Into a Career

Katie Williams makes a living out of being unapologetically herself. The former Australian beach sprinter swapped sand tracks for podcast mics, keynote stages and viral content, building a career around real talk and a little bit of ADHD chaos. Whether she’s co-hosting the Talk It Out podcast or leading sold-out run clubs, Katie’s proof that showing up as you are – messy, loud, resilient – is more than enough. We caught up with her to talk life pivots, choosing yourself and why you should probably stop trying to breathe and swallow at the same time.

Explain your job as if you’re talking to a 10-year-old.

Okay, so imagine if your job was to show up every day and be yourself but online. I used to run really fast and win medals for Australia. Now, I use everything I learnt as an athlete like discipline, drive and bouncing back from failure, and teach it to other people in a way that actually makes sense in real life. I post on TikTok and Instagram, I host two podcasts, I do keynotes, host run clubs and lead workouts for companies all over the country, and I work with some of the biggest health, fitness and wellness brands in the world. People follow me to feel seen, feel strong, and maybe even laugh at how chaotic my ADHD brain is. I basically turned overthinking, emotional honesty and training into a business and somehow, it works.

What was your biggest failure/mistake and how did you turn it into a positive?

I cancelled my wedding 31 days before the big day. It was the most confronting and painful decision I’ve ever made. It wasn’t just about walking away from a relationship. It was walking away from a future I had once dreamed of… and grieving the version of me who thought love had to hurt to be real.

It cracked me open in ways I never expected. But in the quiet aftermath, I started to reconnect with myself slowly, gently. I learnt what self-trust actually feels like. I learnt how to listen to my gut and honour the parts of me I used to silence just to keep the peace.

I’ve started to slowly share my heartbreak not because I have all the answers, but because I know how isolating it can feel when you’re standing on the edge of a life you’re no longer meant to live. If my story reminds someone they’re not alone, and that it’s okay to choose themselves, even when it breaks their heart then it matters.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I still struggle with imposter syndrome. I can crush a keynote and feel completely on fire… and then spiral wondering if I made any sense at all. I’ve spent most of my life performing, achieving and chasing gold medals so I still have to remind myself that I’m worthy even when I’m not “doing”.

What has been your top career highlight?

There’ve been a few: winning Australian Athlete of the Year, hosting chart-topping podcasts, going viral with content that actually matters. But the standout? Winning Best Creator in Australia for Health, Fitness & Sport. Because it wasn’t just about content, it was about impact. It was proof that sharing the real stuff, not just the highlight reel, resonates.

I didn’t come from a media background. I built everything from scratch from sprinting on sand to sprinting between shoots and stages. That award felt like a full-circle, “holy sh*t, I actually did it” moment.

What’s the most ridiculous fact that you know?

You can’t breathe and swallow at the same time. Go on, try it.

You can keep up with Katie’s adventures over on her Instagram and TikTok.

As for next week’s guest? Let’s just say we’re crossing a few time zones to catch up with a mate who’s making moves in a whole other hemisphere. Stay tuned.