Jodie Cox: champion in the pool and beyond

Swimming has always been a passion for Jodie Cox. From the age of eight, the water became a second home as she progressed through the ranks of competitive club swimming.

But in her late teens, her performance in the pool began to dip — something didn’t feel right. That change led to a life-altering diagnosis: autoimmune liver disease.

Despite declining health throughout her twenties, Jodie never lost sight of her love for swimming. “Swimming actually helped identify my illness,” she explains. “I was training hard, but struggling, my body wasn’t keeping up.”

At 29, Jodie received a liver transplant. As she navigated recovery, she stumbled across a magazine article about the World Transplant Games.

“I looked at the swimming times and thought, I could be quite competitive here. It became a massive incentive; I’d get through the transplant and then aim for the Games.”

Jodie’s reintroduction to the water was slow and steady, but purposeful. Despite a few complications, after a year, she was back in competition, not just swimming, but winning.

Representing Great Britain at the World Transplant Games in South Africa, Jodie stormed to victory, winning gold in every event she entered.

“It was the dream, competing for your country, doing the sport you love, and proving what’s possible after transplant.”

Since then, Jodie has competed in five World Transplant Games, winning multiple medals and setting World Transplant Games records, including an astonishing seven gold medals and seven World Transplant Games records at the most recent Games in Perth, Australia. But for Jodie, it’s never just been about the medals.

“I actually get more joy seeing others succeed,” she says. “Watching someone who’s new to swimming learn a tumble turn at 55, then go on to win a medal, that’s just incredible.”

As co-captain and team manager of the British Transplant Swimming Team for over a decade, Jodie has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support others.

Alongside fellow transplant swimmer Liam Barnett, she’s helped organise national and international trips, encouraged new members to join local clubs and supported the establishment of an affiliated Swim England transplant swimming club.

“There’s always this dual purpose,” Jodie explains. “It’s about being healthy and active after transplant, but also about raising awareness of organ donation and showing what’s possible when you get a second chance at life.”

With this year’s World Transplant Games in Dresden on the horizon, Jodie is looking forward to taking a step back and simply enjoying the experience. “Perth was my high, I achieved what I set out to do. Now, I just want to have fun, support the team, and see new swimmers find their moment.”

She speaks proudly of the next generation, particularly the growing number of junior swimmers who are taking up the sport.

“We’ve really encouraged them to join clubs and embrace the swimming lifestyle. It’s about building something sustainable. I feel like we’ve set the platform, now it’s their time.”

Jodie continues to swim with Portsmouth Northsea Swimming Club, where she’s found camaraderie and another transplant swimmer among the ranks. “It’s a small world!”

For anyone awaiting or recovering from a transplant, Jodie has one message: “There’s a whole community out here. We’ve been through it. You’re not alone, and the water is always waiting.”