Next up in our WOMEN WHO INSPIRE US blog post series is elite swimmer and JOLYN girl Moesha Johnson (nickname Moe)! We're so inspired by this all round incredible chick, so we wanted to help you all get to know her better.

Before moving to QLD to pursue swimming, Moe grew up in northern NSW on a hobby farm riding horses and motorbikes and raising all sorts of farm animals including a pet cow called Angus. 🐮🐴

Having just finished the 2021 swim season, Moe is currently taking a very well-deserved break from the pool for 2 weeks to reset and refresh for the next season ahead. In her free time she loves surfing, being creative, exploring coffee shops and art displays as well as op-shopping and hanging with friends. 🏄‍♀️🎨☕🖼️🛍️👯‍♀️

Not only does Moe spend countless hours training hard in and out of the pool, but along the way she's also completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and is currently studying a Diploma of Business as a sideline to swimming. 📚🏊‍♀️

This gals got some epic words of wisdom! Check out our Q&A with her below👇

GET TO KNOW MOE

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome as an athlete?

I think as an athlete its hard to narrow the challenges down to one. There's a constant a flow of challenges mixed in with successes that shape you and force you to grow along the way. One specific challenge I've overcome was gaining self-belief that I could mix it with the top athletes in Australia, and now the world. For a solid period, bridging the gap between being an age group swimmer to an open athlete was a real challenge for me. I would just freak out about racing and didn't believe I could take on the top swimmers. It took a while to trust in my training and learn to just race without the idea that my competitors around me are unbeatable. Everyone out there is a human being, each with their own set of challenges and successes, so you just have to believe in yourself to succeed.

Another big challenge I faced was making the decision to relocate from home, having to support myself away from my family and support system to pursue my goals in swimming. It was hard having to constantly trust that I'd made the right decision and come to terms with the fact that I was pursuing my sport simply because I love it regardless of the results.

What is your ultimate dream/long-term goal in sport?

In my swimming career and in my life, my biggest goal is to enjoy the present and not stress about the future. I set goals, I have plans but I also want to make sure I live life every day and don’t miss anything. Take opportunities, meet new people, discover new things, learn from mistakes and grow. In swimming, I want to ensure I embrace the whole journey and learn from disappointments, and pause in success to make sure I take it all in.

If you weren’t swimming competitively, what would you be doing instead?

If I wasn’t swimming competitively I’d be working full time, surfing in my spare time and travelling when we're able to again. But thank goodness I’m swimming! No classic 9-5 hours for me. I love challenging myself every day so if I wasn’t swimming I’d be finding a new area to challenge myself in.

What do you love most about swimming?

I love swimming because I love the water. I love the feeling of being fit, I love the people I meet, I love challenging myself. I love the silence and meditation it brings, I love how you can compete against yourself no matter what level you're at in the sport and I love that it takes me places all over the world!

What’s an important life lesson you’re grateful to have learned through sport?

Sport is a gold mine of learning lessons. The biggest lesson I've taken away is that if you work hard at something, consistently, over time, your hard work will pay off. It wont come immediately, and don’t get down or give up if it doesn’t work, just keep at it. If you keep working at it, you will achieve it. 

FUN FACTS ABOUT MOE

Fave food?

I love WATERMELON!! I'd eat it all day every day if I could. I also love a good MEXICAN FEAST 😊

Destination you’d love to visit one day?

Oooo tough one to narrow down to one, but top of my list would have to be MOROCCO currently.

What do you most enjoy doing outside of training?

I love to SURF and be at the BEACH or outdoors. I love getting CREATIVE and also going HORSE RIDING!

Fave JOLYN piece you own?

My absolute favourite is the SCOTTY fixed-back onesie in the the CITRUSSY print.

Fave quote you live by?

 “We have nothing to lose and a world to see.”

ICYMI - episode 5 of Lizzie & Harriet's VULNERABILI-TEA series just dropped, with this weeks video featuring none other than Moesha Johnson! Moe bravely opens up about how she’s working to overcome a recent setback and building her resilience for the future. Moe's vulnerability and words of wisdom make this episode a must-watch for anyone currently struggling with disappointment or lack of motivation. Grab your cuppa and tune into episode 5 now! ☕