Debo Williams s a former standout linebacker for the South Carolina Gamecocks football, two-time team captain, and 2023 First-Team All-SEC selection who built his name on leadership, discipline, and consistency. Now, he’s channeling that same energy into Sync My Ride, the platform he founded and leads with a hands-on, execute-or-it-doesn’t-happen mindset. From anchoring defenses to building a company from the ground up, Williams is proving that elite performance doesn’t stop at sports. It evolves into entrepreneurship.
Interviewer: What did building Sync My Ride teach you about problem-solving that football never could?
What building syncmyride taught me about problem solving that football never could was that it’s all on you. As the founder & owner of I don’t execute then it doesn’t happen. With football you have teammates you have coaches u have an organization. So if u don’t feel like executing one day you may get helped or baled out. With being your own owner and running an organization yourself the app only goes as far as its owner!
Interviewer: When you were developing the platform, what was the biggest misconception people had about your vision-and how did you push past it?
There honestly wasn’t any misconception because while making syncmyride I was in solitude big time. It was just me and my thoughts grinding together! So I didn’t have time or want to hear any one’s opinions. I knew I was creating greatness
Interviewer: How do you approach scaling a platform like Sync My Ride without losing focus on the core user experience?
I approach scaling a platform like SYncmyride without losing focus on the core user experience is by listening to what my core users want. I listen to what they’re saying to add to the app! It’s no different than a head coach listening to its players!
Interviewer: What role does discipline play in your transition from athlete to founder, and how has that shaped your leadership style?
This is the biggest role because I wouldn’t be able to be a founder/owner or great leader without it. Being an athlete taught how to be a great follower in order to be a great leader. It taught how to deal with every personality, every ethnicity, every culture! I’ve learned so much along the way and I apply it everyday as a founder
Interviewer: For other athletes looking to build something beyond their sport, what’s the one mindset shift they need to make early on?
The one mindset shift they have to make is to understand that sports isn’t the end all be all. Use sports as a catalyst, a trampoline, & a pogo stick. Because it will bounce u past so many people in this world. As an athlete u know how to out compete folks u know how to create and you darn sure know how to be consistent & stay disciplined! So use it and dominate this world!
