Nicknamed Goanna,[1][2] Brigga, JBJ, Joey and Jo Toe,[2][3] Brigden-Jones was born on 19 April 1988 in Mona Vale, New South Wales.

[3] She earned a Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) from Charles Sturt University.

She appeared in TIME magazine alongside other Olympic and Paralympic athletes who battled the Covid-19 frontlines.

[1][7] She started surf lifesaving when she was six years old through an Australian programme called Nippers.

She raced in Europe as part of the Australian Junior Kayak Team and won her first international medal at the prestigious Bochum Regatta in Germany.

She was then forced into a race off with teammate Naomi Flood at the World Cup in Duisburg.

As a result of the World Cup race, Jo was not selected for the 2016 Rio Olympic Team.

[11] Following the 2016 World Cup, Jo commenced work as a paramedic with NSW Ambulance.

Jo was drawn back to paddling, as she loves the sport and has great friends who were still training and racing.

[12] In 2018, The Australian women's K4 500 (Alyce Burnett (QLD), Alyssa Bull (NSW) and Jaime Roberts (WA), Jo Brigden-Jones (NSW)), canoe sprint team shocked even themselves with a stunning silver medal at the ICF World Cup in Szeged, Hungary.

Jo holds 38 Australian National Titles over various boat categories and distances.

[12] [4] After finishing high school in 2005, Jo began studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Technology, Sydney.

In 2012, she started studying a Post Graduate course in Paramedics through Charles Sturt University.

[15] Honours Post nominal initials - OLY, Olympian Manly Pathway of Olympians - plaque placed in 2013 for Olympian status Australia Day Ambassador 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 Awards Australia Day Award 2018 NSW Institute of Sport - Personal Excellence Award Charles Sturt University Distance Education Sports Person of the Year 2012 & 2014 Sport Achievement Award - Australian Institute of Sport 2011 Paddle NSW Female Paddler of the Year 2011 Pittwater Council - Sportsperson of the Year 2010 University of Technology, Sydney, Sportswoman of the Year 2008 & 2009 University of Technology, Sydney, Full Blue award 2008 & 2009 Layne Beachley 'Aim For the Stars Foundation' scholarship Roles NSW Institute of Sport, Athlete Advisory group member Australian Institute of Sport and Lifeline Community Custodian Australian Olympic Committee - Olympians Unleashed program NSW Premier Sporting Challenge Ambassador [16]