At 30, most jockeys have been riding professionally for over a decade — but not Jo Mason. In this episode, Michelle sits down with Jo to talk about breaking into the world of horse racing later in life, the brutal realities of injury and recovery, and how she turned a pandemic setback into the moment she finally went pro.

From breaking her back to breaking barriers for women in racing, Jo’s story is one of resilience, grit, and pure love for the sport.

Key Takeaways

• It’s never too late to start again. Jo turned professional at 30 — proof that there’s no expiry date on your dream.
• Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build through doing.
• Hard work beats luck. Behind every race is relentless training, travel, and self-discipline.
• Women belong at the top. Racing may have been male-dominated, but Jo’s generation is changing that.
• You can rebuild after burnout or injury. Jo’s comeback after breaking her back shows that recovery starts with mindset.
• Your journey doesn’t have to follow the rulebook. Education, pivots, and detours can all lead to purpose.

Timestamps

0:00 – 3:00

Introduction and Jo’s journey from sports nutrition to racing.

3:00 – 7:00

Growing up in a racing family and the path from amateur to professional.

7:00 – 13:00

The fall that broke her back and the long road to recovery.

13:00 – 17:00

Turning professional during Covid and proving herself on the track.

17:00 – 25:00

Racing against legends and breaking barriers for women in sport.

25:00 – 37:00

Life behind the scenes: training, travel, pressure, and pay.

37:00 – 54:00

The physical and mental toll — weight, nutrition, and injury resilience.

54:00 – 1:03:00

Lessons learned, sacrifices made, and Jo’s message to women chasing their dreams.

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