What does it really look like to break into motorsports when you’re still in school and figuring it out as you go?

In this episode of The BeDifferential Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Williams, an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team intern with Gradient Racing, to talk candidly about navigating the early stages of a motorsports career — without having all the answers yet.

Brooke shares how she first discovered motorsports as a viable career path, how she balanced college coursework with gaining real-world experience, and the steps she took to land an internship in one of the most competitive paddocks in racing. We dive into what race weekends look like behind the scenes, the responsibilities that surprised her most, and the moments where she felt out of her depth — and what those experiences taught her.

This conversation also explores the importance of asking questions in high-pressure environments, building relationships with mentors and allies, and following up after race weekends to stay connected in a fast-moving industry. Brooke reflects on what success looks like at this stage of her journey, the barriers students still face when trying to break into motorsports, and why hearing stories from people still in it matters just as much as learning from industry veterans.

If you’re a student who loves racing but isn’t sure you’re “qualified enough,” this episode is for you. Brooke’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out — you just have to start.

Because being differential isn’t about arriving fully formed — it’s about showing up, learning loudly, and growing in real time.