Sam Woodall is a bull rider, boxer, and proud product of one of Australia's most iconic rodeo families. His grandfather has been one of the country's leading bull contractors for over 50 years, and his father is a former Australian champion — so it's fair to say the sport runs deep. Sam started out on poddy calves before he can even remember, and has been competing seriously for more than 12 years.
On the circuit, Sam has earned his place among the elite. He claimed the PBR Australia Grand Finals in 2021 and has two standout 92-point rides to his name — one on Bucking Bull of the Year, Booger's Beach, and another on the Unleash the Beast tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More recently, he's stepped into a new arena entirely, bringing the same composure and competitive drive that carries him through some of the toughest 8 seconds in sport into the boxing ring.
Sam understands what it takes to keep performing across multiple disciplines. Training, injury prevention, and recovery are central to how he operates — and PainPod is a key part of how he stays on top of his game.
I come from a rodeo family that has been heavily involved in the sport for over 60 years. My dad was an Australian champion and my grandfather has been one of Australia's leading contractors for over 50 years. I started out on poddy calves before I can even remember, then progressed to the odd steer at a rodeo before stopping around 8 years old. I started back again at 14 on junior bulls and haven't looked back since. There's plenty more to what brings me to where I am today — but I'll leave that for the riding to tell. There's still a lot more to be written.
It's hard to say what my favourite thing about bull riding is — it's a full package. Competing and riding has always been an indescribable experience; I love the challenge and love the feeling of riding. The travelling side too — being away every weekend with your mates, doing what you love, going to places all over the world. It's hard to beat.
In comparison, stepping into the ring is actually where I get more nervous. Although competing in rodeo has taught me how to control my emotions before and during competition, and I bring that same discipline into boxing.
I've been involved in rodeo my whole life — born into it. But I've only been competing seriously for 12 years. As for boxing, I had my first amateur bout in December, so I haven't even scratched the surface yet.
Bull riding: It's tough to pick just one, so I'll go with two of my 92-point rides — one on Bucking Bull of the Year, Booger's Beach (Dittmann's), and one on the Unleash the Beast tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If I had to choose one event overall, it would be winning the PBR Australia Grand Finals in 2021.
Boxing: No highlights to speak of just yet — I lost my first fight, so we'll get that win on the board first before we start talking highlights.
Hard work when no one is looking. Positive reinforcement in everything you do. Constant practice and putting in the time to improve. Find what works for you and keep building on it — everyone has a different pathway to success.
It's pretty straightforward: when work finishes, I train, and when the week's done I travel wherever I need to compete. The travelling is probably the hardest part of the week, but it comes with the territory.
In any sport you're going to get hurt, and as I get older I find I need to prepare my body better before competing and look after it afterwards. Working out, getting the right treatment, and injury prevention are paramount. PainPod will be an important part of keeping me on top of my game.
I don't think I've had any real setbacks aside from injuries — and those will always take time away from you. But it's in those moments you can refocus, work on yourself to become a better competitor, and reconnect with the people around you. When it's time to come back and compete, you return better.
Nothing. Be yourself and live every moment exactly as I have. I wouldn't change a thing.