Force of Jo
Sunrise swimmer. Boundary breaker. Powerhouse.
Jo made a promise to herself: say yes more often. That led her to solo travel in South America, and to sunrise swims in cold water, every day. She starts each morning immersed in nature, chasing clarity, calm, and the change of light.
Tell us about your family?
I have three children, and three grandchildren. They just really light up my life.
What was your career before you had kids?
I had a cool job at Air New Zealand working on load allocations for aircraft — I had a seven-minute window to do the calculations and had to be 100% correct. It gave me that feeling that girls can do anything... and they should.
Has there been a time in your life where life has challenged you?
About 15 years ago, I was quite suddenly on my own. In trying to be a role model for my children, I made a very conscious decision that I would say yes to everything.
How did you bounce back?
I decided to go to South America, flew into Peru on my own, and walked Machu Picchu. I realised I needed to have some difficult times in order to know that I could cope on my own.
What’s something that you do for yourself?
I decided I would go for a swim every day — every sunrise, so the beginning of my day would make me feel happy. I go in the cold straight away, no matter what. I’m taking in the change of light. Starting the day in a peaceful way, and getting that ‘jolt’ from the cold. The change of light at the beginning and end of the day is very good for your vision and your mental health.
When do you feel most comfortable in your skin?
I feel most comfortable in my skin when I’m just being me. I’ve decided that I’m enough. I don’t feel responsible for what others may think. I just try to be the best I can be.
Do you use Trilogy?
I use lots of Trilogy products. Probably my favourite is the vitamin C booster, and the rosehip oil - I start by massaging it into the back of my hands and my nails because I want my hands to look beautiful.
What’s important to you when selecting skincare?
The most important thing is integrity. I choose Trilogy because of their respect in the market. I’m not going to have to search the ingredients to see if any of them are bad for my skin. It’s trust.
What does force of nature mean to you?
That there’s more in life than what I can change. It’s important to observe what’s going on and learn how to flow in the same direction.
