We had the good fortune of connecting with Katy Lockman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe there’s a difference between risk and calculated risk. The best gift that we can give ourselves is to live the life that we are called to live. Obviously be smart about it and weigh all potential outcomes, but if the only thing standing between you and the life of your dreams is the opinions of others or fear of failure, going all in is your only option.

Using my life as an example: it was “risky” to move to a new city at 18 years old. It was risky putting myself out there at audition after audition. It was risky to fall in love and get married to my husband at 22 years old. It was risky having a child…trying out for another dance team after having a child…buying and remodeling a house…etc. etc. But if I had not taken a bet on myself and moved forward in the direction where I felt the most peace, I would not be where I am at today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Although I understand that no one truly ever “arrives”, I feel as though all of my accomplishments in my creative life have surpassed anything that I ever expected. I didn’t start dance or cheer until 11 or 12. I was incredibly shy, excellently well-read and a “nerd” all the way around. It was an unlikely path but something that I took to immediately. I danced and cheered competitively from 7th-12th grade and after meeting my (now) husband as a junior we decided to pursue the entertainment industry in Los Angeles for six years upon graduation. I signed with management, went on auditions for commercial work, dance and acting. Booked some things, got told “no” 100x more. I danced for the LA Clippers for one season. I took classes from top people in the dance industry on a regular basis. I went to a performing arts college for dance. Though money was a struggle and people in the industry could be less-than-lovely, I truly loved it. But eventually I gave it up for some time because I wanted to pursue something that actually made money and I thought that I couldn’t do it through dance. Around this time, social media had really taken off and I saw the opportunity to do something that still incorporated my love for performing but on my own terms. I’ve been creating consistently since then and have had some amazing opportunities through social media.

Today my husband and I have a son and I dance for the Texas Rangers Six Shooters. I’m signed to a music label. I create whenever and wherever I want and my life is full of love. We are in real estate and have excitement about where that is going for us over the next ten years. I’m writing again and working on something that might be coming in 2024 *hint*. Overall, I’ve learned that you can map out the plans for your life, but God truly ordains your steps. Things might be really great for awhile and then they might royally suck. I also want people to know that comparison is a thief and it will hold you back if you let it. I’ve had to create serious boundaries within myself and others to protect myself from that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a proud Dallas-native. I didn’t truly appreciate it until I moved to California for six years of my life. But if I were showing a bestie around DFW I would make SURE that it was during the fall. Some of my favorite iconic pastimes include: high school football games, State Fair of Texas, Rangers games, Klyde Warren park, Fort Worth Stockyards, etc. but I am a history-lover so you would definitely catch me geeking-out at our local museums and sightseeing city tours!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To give credit where credit is due, I’ve been a part of many groups and have had many teachers that have helped me grow throughout the years. As someone who could not stand in front of a room for most of my childhood to now be able to perform in front of 20,000-40,000 people on a regular basis there is much to be said. I attribute much of my success to their belief in me.

The one who has remained closest to me on my journey is my husband, Dennis, who I’ve been with for a decade and we have witnessed one another’s journey through the most transitional years of life. There is truly no other person who can make me feel as though I can conquer the world.

Instagram: @katylockman

Other: TikTok: @katylockman

Image Credits
Rangers in-game photos shot by Dominic Ceraldi and Ross James. Grass wall portrait shot by Yellow Rose Photography

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