Jo King

Interview with Jo King from October 2023

By Bianca Ratje

What inspired you to become an athletics coach and how has your personal journey in the sport shaped your coaching style and philosophy?

Jo did Little Athletics as a junior in Portland, Vic.  It was a great foundation sport for her.  Jo went on to National level middle distance running as a teenager and held a Victorian Record in the 1500 for more than 20years.  Jo went on to compete in triathlons as a professional.  Winning many national and international races.  The highlights were 1996 World Junior Champion and 1998 World Elite Champion.                                                                               The enjoyment Jo had in her sport has led her to coaching others and trying to pass on the knowledge and skills she learnt.

What brings you the most enjoyment or satisfaction out of athletics coaching?

Seeing the community and connections her athletes have is really enjoyable,  seeing improvement in all her clients/athletes is always rewarding.  Jo has been writing programs and coaching athletes for nearly 20 years and finds it so rewarding to see so many of these people still running.  This year having 7 of her junior athletes qualify for the State Cross-Country championships was a huge highlight.

Who and where are you coaching?

Jo coaches a number of athletes online, who are training for ultra runs, marathons, Ironman and Half Ironman distance events.  Jo also has 2 running specific sessions that she conducts each week.  One on a Tuesday morning that attracts teenagers and adults.  This session is different each week and different locations around Torquay and Jan Juc.  Thursday afternoon is tailored to more junior runners, (8-16 yr olds).  Both sessions are quality/interval based sessions that cater for all fitness levels.

In your experience what makes a great track and field athlete? What are some common traits you have observed in your athletes?

Track and field athletes need to be strong of mind and have a good work ethic.

Being able to cope with athletes around you (ie running in a pack) and run other peoples pace helps make a good track and field athlete too.

What have your greatest successes been as a coach?

Having been a coach for the duration Jo has and the relationships she has developed over this period has been her greatest success.  To now have her 2 kids involved in both groups is very special and seeing their growth as athletes.

Do you work with any other coaches or have a support network?

Jo’s husband Nathan works with her and her cousin Mia Gross helps occasionally too.

What do you hope is next for your coaching journey?

That her running groups continue to grow and she has more representatives at high level events.

Are you taking on new athletes?

Jo is taking on more athletes.

Jo can be found on Instagram and Facebook at website www.jo-kingtraining.com