Renowned performance physiotherapist and coach Dr. Jo Brown has opened up about her transformative experiences working with Jamaican athletes, beginning with the Jamaica Bobsled Team in 2018. Her journey, chronicled in her forthcoming book, See the Elephant: Discover What Is Holding You Back from Your True Potential, explores the unique challenges, triumphs, and resilience of these athletes as they chased greatness on the global stage. The book, already released in Australia and New Zealand, will debut in the USA and the Caribbean this March.

Dr. Brown’s connection with Jamaican sports began unexpectedly during the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. As an adjunct member of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, she was assigned to work with the Jamaican delegation, marking her first interaction with the island’s athletes. “I fell in love with Jamaica, and Jamaica fell in love with me,” Dr. Brown shared, reflecting on the start of a deep bond that would grow over the years.

Following the Commonwealth Games, athletes like Megan Tapper stayed in touch, drawing Dr. Brown back to work with Jamaican athletes on various fronts. Her work eventually led her to deliver lectures for the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), where she met Chris Stokes, a pivotal figure in the history of the Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Stokes invited Dr. Brown to join the bobsled team’s journey as they pursued qualification for the Winter Olympics for the first time in 24 years. “I remember calling my husband and saying, ‘I think I’m going to work with the Jamaican Bobsled Team.’ He thought it was just a movie thing. I said, ‘No, it’s real, and they’re still going.’”

Dr. Brown’s role with the team extended beyond physical preparation, focusing on building mental resilience and crafting processes to support their ambitious mission. Despite facing numerous challenges, including limited funding, borrowed equipment, and gruelling conditions, the team’s determination never wavered.

"There were times when there wasn’t enough money for gas or food, and we had to make do with what was available. But that sense of adversity fueled their greatness. It was raw and real, and I feel honoulred to have been part of their journey,” Dr. Brown said.

Dr Jo Brown with the Jamaican bobsleigh team.

COVID-19 disrupted plans for her to travel with the team in 2020, but Dr. Brown remained engaged, working remotely and eventually joining them in person in Whistler in 2021. Her efforts culminated in the team’s successful qualification for the Winter Olympics, a moment she describes as deeply meaningful.

“It’s never about the Games for me—it’s about the process and the journey. To be part of something so deeply rooted in heritage, struggle, and triumph was extraordinary,” Dr. Brown reflected.

Her book, See the Elephant goes beyond just recounting experiences—it delves into the deeper psychological and physiological barriers that hinder high-performance athletes. She describes the "elephant" as the unseen force holding individuals back, whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or external pressures that manifest in critical moments, such as major championships.

“The elephant is the thing people want to ignore, push away—the thing they don’t want to deal with,” Dr. Brown explained. “But in high-pressure moments, whether at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, or World Championships, those elephants show up. They impact performance, and I’ve seen patterns emerge where these hidden barriers affect athletes when it matters most.”

According to Dr. Brown, See the Elephant encourages readers to confront their personal obstacles rather than avoid them. “What’s in the way is the way,” she said, explaining that the very challenges athletes and individuals avoid are often the ones they need to tackle head-on to grow.

The book introduces two key metaphors: the elephant’s poop—the messes or unresolved issues that need to be cleaned up, whether they are physical, emotional, or mental—and the footprints left behind, which serve as guides toward solutions, better processes, and stronger support systems.

“If you’re willing to run towards what’s in your way, embrace those issues, and learn from them, you can unlock a whole new level of performance,” she emphasized.

Dr. Brown’s work with athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Yohan Blake, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Alia Atkinson has provided her with firsthand insight into the mindset required for elite success. These athletes, she notes, embody the characteristics of "seekers"—constantly chasing excellence, asking questions, and refining their processes to stay ahead.

“Jamaican athletes are special because their greatness comes from a place of heritage, struggle, and striving. To be invited into that journey was truly extraordinary,” she said.

See the Elephant is more than just a sports psychology book—it’s a blueprint for breaking through personal barriers, whether in sports, business, or life. As its U.S. and Caribbean release approaches, the book promises to offer deep insights for anyone looking to reach their full potential, just as the athletes Dr. Brown has worked with have done time and time again.