Jodie Stimpson picture with one of her youngest fans.

JODIE STIMPSON started swimming at her local club at the age of four and was encouraged to start out in triathlon at eight.

The sport has since taken her around the world and her biggest achievement include twice taking Gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Here Jodie talks to us about her triathlon journey and her aim to come back from injury and qualify for Tokyo 2020.

Jodie has twice taken Gold at the Commonwealth Games.

When did you start out in triathlon and who encouraged you to give the sport a go?

I started Triathlon when i was eight years old when my dad and uncle took me to my fist local triathlon.

Who have been your biggest mentors and supporters along the way?

My family are my biggest support and I couldn’t have achieved anything without them.

My biggest mentors so far have been my coaches who I have learnt so much from. My two previous coaches, Steve Lumley and Darren Smith, have been my biggest mentors in the sport. If you ask about outside of coaching then I would say there are some pretty important GB women out there who I have learnt a lot from: Chrissie Wellington, Jodie Swallow and Liz Blatchford, who have been amazing mentors and who I am very lucky to call friends.

As well as racing on the international stage Jodie has also been involved in more local events.

What have been your biggest triathlon successes?

Double Commonwealth Gold and Galsgow 2014.

How does it feel when you represent your country on the world stage?

It’s amazing to represent GB on the big circuit, there is nothing quite like racing with GB on your chest and racing the best in the world.

Where in the world has the sport taken you?

This is a long list but here are a few: Australia, America, South Africa, Italy, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Cyprus, Japan and China.

Jodie and her niece and nephew.

In which of the three disciplines do you excel and at which do you have to work the hardest?

I would say a strength is cycling and my weakness is swimming.

Currently coming back from injury Jodie is focused on making it to Tokyo 2020.

What are you currently training for and what races and other projects do you have planned for the rest of the year and beyond?

At the minute I am coming back from injury so trying to build build my strength and become more robust, so that’s my short term goal. As much as I am finding it really hard not to be racing, long term it’s about Tokyo and getting to the Olympics !