About Us

After a life of competitive swimming and elite triathlon following our own paths, Grace and I met in 2016 in the most appropriate of places - the swimming pool. Our desire to be ahead in the lane meant we were far from a love at first sight story but once we settled the debate over a couple of tough sets we eventually began talking to each other and were soon sharing our stories with each other. It quickly became apparent we had a lot in common - we had both started competitive swimming from a young age and had made our way to the pointy end of the sport competing in national finals before making the decision to switch sports and finding some quick success in triathlon.

Our relationship blossomed as we travelled the world racing both together and on opposite sides of the globe all the while bonding over our love of the sport. Throughout the years it became apparent our views on triathlon were very similar. We both valued skill development and having a good work/life/triathlon/family balance. Something we continue to make a priority today. 

Founded in 2017, JT Multisport was built on the foundations of our love for the sport of triathlon & for each other. We strive to provide an environment that puts the focus back on the athlete. Based in Canberra and offering online individualised coaching, our squad has grown to include a diverse and highly experienced coaching team who cater for all athletes from first timers to some of the best in the world.

James Thorp

Co Founder & HeAD COACH

Primary location - Canberra, ACT

Special interests - Development of jnr, U23 and elite draft legal and non draft athletes. Injury management particularly athlete’s with prior history of bone stress.

Coaches have always played a huge role in my life. They have been a guiding light, an inspiration and have shaped the person I am today. It was my relationships with my coaches that inspired me, a sixteen-year-old aspiring tennis player to begin coaching younger players. The thrill of watching them improve moved me to grow my coaching and upon completing my own career as a division 1 US college tennis player, and obtaining a bachelor of science in Exercise Science, I took the position of assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of Toledo in Ohio.

During my time in Toledo, I shifted my own sporting focus to competing in triathlon while pursuing a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. In August 2013 I had the honour of winning a USA Triathlon National Champion jersey over the sprint distance which was the breakthrough I needed to pursue a career as an elite athlete. In 2015 I completed my thesis entitled “The Effects of Normatec Recovery Boots on Cycling Performance.” During this time my love of coaching never wavered and I recruited members of Toledo Triathlon Club to be subjects in my thesis and began coaching and mentoring triathletes of all abilities.

Upon completion of my studies and coaching in the U.S. triathlon took me to France where I joined a French Grand Prix team. Injury soon forced me to return to Australia where I once again took to the tennis courts and began coaching full time while training under the guidance of some of Australia's best coaches.

My interest and knowledge in triathlon coaching was formalised when I completed a Triathlon Australia Level 1 Development Coaching Course. Since then I have completed the Triathlon Australia Performance Coaching Course while steering JTM to some amazing accomplishments- from our coached athletes completing triathlon and endurance sports for the first time to winning multiple world championship gold medals and transitioning to racing and winning professional races. Now based in Canberra, the endurance capital of the world it has become apparent that there is a need for triathlon coaches who are committed to the athletes they coach. I am extremely proud of our JT Multisport family and love continuing to strive for our goal of being the gold standard of triathlon coaching. Whatever your goals in endurance sports, at JT Multisport the athlete comes first.

JT

Credentials

Grace Thorp (Hoitink)

Co Founder, JT Junior & JTM Swim Head Coach

Primary location - Canberra, ACT

Special interests - Junior athlete development. Working with athletes through pregnancy, postpartum and those with chronic health issues.

My triathlon journey began when I was 16 years old. I had been a competitive swimmer for eight years prior which saw me compete at a national age and open level, including the 2012 Olympic trials. When I started triathlon, I had no previous cycling or running experience and dedicated myself to acquiring the skills necessary to develop these sports and improve my triathlon quickly.  I had success early on in triathlon competing as an ITU Junior and U23 athlete and gained my professional licence in 2015, which took me all around the world, including Europe, America and Japan.

I began teaching swimming in 2016 after gaining my AUSTSWIM accreditation. I have always been a technician and attribute my success in swimming and triathlon to my attention to detail and skill acquisition. This is something I bring into my teaching and enjoy seeing those I teach master the craft of swimming and build confidence in the water. I work with all ages and abilities from first time swimmers to competitive swimmers and triathletes wanting to improve their performance.

Now based in Canberra I am really looking forward to working closely with swimmers and triathletes of all abilities to help them achieve their swimming goals. 

Grace x

Credentials

David Selems

Assistant Canberra Squad & Online coach

Primary location - Canberra, ACT

Sport has been a constant throughout my life. Growing up I competed in soccer, track and field, and distance running before eventually discovering triathlon. Along the way, I've experienced firsthand how powerful exercise can be—not only for improving performance, but also for building confidence, resilience and overall wellbeing. It is this belief that underpins my coaching philosophy: exercise is medicine.

As both an athlete and coach, I believe goals provide direction, but it's the journey that shapes us. The consistency, small wins, setbacks and lessons learned along the way are what build lasting confidence and success. My aim is to help athletes enjoy that journey while achieving meaningful, long-term results through purposeful, evidence-based training.

After completing my Triathlon Australia Foundation Coach accreditation in 2025, I continued my coaching development under the mentorship of James Thorp and have recently completed the requirements for my Development Coach accreditation. I enjoy working with athletes of all abilities, whether they are tackling their first triathlon, returning to the sport, or chasing age group success.

I continue to race myself and believe there is great value in living the same process I ask of my athletes. Competing continues to reinforce my passion for learning, improving and helping others become the best athletes they can be.

I look forward to helping you enjoy the process, trust the journey and discover what you're capable of.

David

Credentials

Myles Wood

JTM Online coach

Primary location - Adelaide, SA

Special interests - Injury management and rehab. Bike fitting and bike maintenance.

Sport has always been part of my life and has been incorporated into my day to day from a young age. I grew up playing sports like AFL, basketball and squash. When I was sixteen years old I started coaching the junior squash players at my local club. It was a great experience for me being able to see the younger athletes develop into great players and I took pride in their achievements in the sport.

I met Grace and James in late 2017 while I was studying a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Human Movement, at The University of Sydney. Until then I didn’t have a real connection with triathlon - apart from a few Weet-Bix triathlons and school ones. Grace and James encouraged me to give triathlon a go with the goal of going to the triathlon world championships. I started receiving coaching from them at the start of 2019 and moved to Canberra later that year to further my studies with a Master of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra. I loved every moment of being an athlete under them and they strove to help me accomplish my goal of getting to world champs.  COVID delayed my attempts at getting to world champs until 2022 when I was lucky enough to go to Abu Dhabi and came home with a silver medal in my age group. 

Due to the influence of my great coaches I was inspired to complete my Aus Triathlon Development coaching course and Retul Bike Fitting Accreditation to help others like myself taking their first steps towards reaching their goals within triathlon and other multisport disciplines. As a qualified physiotherapist I have gained great knowledge, understanding and skills in injury prevention and management and use principles that I have learnt over the years to maximize performance and reduce injury throughout multisport disciplines.

Myles W

Credentials

Yoann Colin

JTM Online Coach

Primary Location - Gold Coast, QLD

Special interests - RED-S, Running Biomechanics, Marginal Gains

Coming from a family who prioritised education as the pillar to success, sport was always something I did on the side to blow off a bit of steam. However being annoyingly competitive with the morning laps we were forced to do at a before school care program, meant I unknowingly built a little run base from a run age. With all who have seen me handle a ball knowing how shockingly uncoordinated I was, the school run coach soon advised me to join the program. This is where my love for running and later endurance sports begun.

I took a few years off to go all in on academics from Year 10-12 but decided after too many months of partying at uni that it was time to do something about the dad bod at uni. Through Tom Driscoll a fellow JTM triathlete, I begun triathlon and later came across James and Grace. Having got to know James initially through teaching him a little bit of French (yes add that to his many talents) and learning about his training philosophies, it was almost a no brainer for me to join the JTM family. From then I was hooked. Over 4 and a bit years, James took me to an AG world championships podium and a professional continental cup top 10.

Alongside following my passion, I’m now a coach for JT Multisport. Having been under the tutelage of James for many years, we created an amazing partnership through the highs and lows that the sport exposes us to. Now a pro triathlete myself, I’m really excited to pass on what I’ve learned to anyone wanting to get healthy, happy and optimise their performance.

YC

Credentials

Dan Bloom

JTM Online Coach

Primary location - Melbourne, VIC

Special interests - Bike optimisation, training & race analytics, strength training for endurance sports.

Growing up, I was fortunate to explore a wide range of sports, sparking a lifelong passion for continuous improvement — both in myself and in others. That passion led me into coaching, beginning with tennis, then hockey, and learn-to-swim programs for toddlers through to adults, before expanding into multi-sport coaching.

Over more than a decade, I’ve coached across multiple disciplines, from grassroots to competitive levels, always focused on helping people grow and enjoy the process. While I naturally lean toward an analytical mindset, my own journey has taught me the importance of a holistic approach — and, at times, the value of letting go of the numbers. I’ve worked with a diverse range of athletes and coaching styles, building a flexible toolkit to support each person’s unique goals.

In recent years, I’ve helped athletes prepare and PB marathons, Hyrox events, and triathlons, from sprint to the full distance.

I’m inspired by anyone striving to become the best version of themselves, and I’m committed to supporting them on their journey.

Dan

Credentials

Kailin Pople

JTM Junior Triathlon & JTM Swim Coach

Primary Location - Canberra, ACT

Special Interests - Swim Technique, Injury Prevention & Management, Junior Skill Development

My triathlon journey began when I was 15 after joining my local triathlon club, where I developed a love for the challenge of the sport and the people that it introduced me to. I was fortunate to spend my final school years racing draft-legal triathlon and travelling around the country with my closest mates, all making me love triathlon more.

I met James and Grace in 2024 after moving to Canberra to begin university. Going from not knowing anyone to being welcomed into a community who genuinely cares is a testament to the environment they’ve created at JTM. Whilst I’ve had a few challenging years of injuries, I’ve been incredibly supported by James, Grace and the JTM family to persevere through the lows that come with this sport. During this time I was encouraged to begin coaching, which has allowed me to experience triathlon through a different lens and use my love for the sport to support others in their own journeys.  

After completing my Foundation coaching accreditation, I began coaching alongside Grace at JTM swim where I’ve loved helping athletes build confidence in the water and develop their skills. I am currently completing my Development coaching accreditation where I am excited to continue growing as a coach while expanding my knowledge and experience.

I am passionate about the role sport plays in developing individuals. It has and continues to teach me resilience, patience, discipline, and the value of enjoying the journey. I look forward to supporting athletes in building confidence, achieving their goals and developing a lifelong love for the sport.  

Kpop

Credentials

Ashleigh Lawson

JTM Junior Triathlon & JTM Swim Coach

Primary Location - Canberra, ACT

Special Interests - 1 on 1 and squad swim technique coaching

Growing up, I wasn't exactly the sportiest kid. At 12 years old, my mum convinced me to give squad swimming a try, and before long I was hooked. Swimming became a huge part of my life, teaching me the value of consistency and resilience. After stepping away from the sport for a while, I was looking for a new challenge and discovered triathlon, quickly falling in love with everything it had to offer. 

I joined JT Multisport in 2020, where James, Grace, and the incredible JTM community helped me grow in confidence and develop as both an athlete and a person. Since then, I've had the opportunity to represent Australia internationally and become a three-time World Triathlon Age Group Silver Medallist. I'm still motivated to keep learning and pursuing my own goals in the sport. 

After being encouraged to start coaching, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much. I particularly enjoy one-on-one swim technique coaching and assisting with JTM swim sessions, where I've continued to develop my coaching skills while helping athletes build confidence and enjoy the process. 

Alongside coaching, I'm studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Canberra, combining my studies with my experiences as an athlete to continue growing as a coach. I enjoy creating a supportive environment where athletes feel comfortable, build confidence, enjoy the journey, and work towards becoming the best version of themselves, regardless of their starting point. 

Ash 

Credentials

Matt Ross

Volunteer Canberra Squad coach

Primary Location - Canberra, ACT

Special interests - Bike handling and technique, coaching neurodivergent athletes.

After more than 15 years of cycling, I never planned on becoming a triathlete. That changed when work colleagues convinced me to ride the bike leg at Noosa. A year back at Noosa I quickly discovered that while I could ride a bike, my swim was another story. A couple of near-death experiences later, it was obvious I needed some proper coaching.

After trying a few different squads, I found a home at JT Multisport. On my first squad ride, I fought a car… and lost.  During my recovery I found myself helping my  squad mates develop their own bike skills and confidence. Watching them grow reminded me just how rewarding coaching could be.

Today, my coaching focuses on helping athletes become safer, smoother and more confident on the bike. Whether you're learning to ride in a bunch, preparing for your first triathlon or looking to refine your technique, my aim is to create an environment where everyone feels supported at their own pace.

As a neurodivergent coach, I've spent a great deal of time exploring the different ways people including myself process information and develop skills. That experience has shaped my coaching philosophy: adapt the coaching to the athlete, not the athlete to the coaching.

I believe everyone starts somewhere. Confidence isn't something you're born with, it's something you build, one breath at a time. If you leave each session feeling a little more capable and a little more confident than when you arrived, then I've done my job.

Matt

Credentials

Margi Grant

Volunteer Canberra Squad Coach

Primary Location - Canberra, ACT

Special interests - Injury prevention and management, High Performance Systems, Athlete and Coach Education

Sport has been a constant throughout my life. After competing in swimming at state and national age level, I chose to focus on my education before building a career as a sports physiotherapist. Although I first discovered triathlon in the late 1980s, a serious health issue interrupted my racing journey. Even so, my passion for endurance sport and helping others perform at their best never faded.

 For almost 30 years, I worked with high-performance athletes, coaches and sports scientists across a wide range of sports, including seven years at the Australian Institute of Sport. Alongside my clinical work, I developed a passion for education, establishing postgraduate sports physiotherapy programs at universities in Melbourne and Canberra and mentoring the next generation of physiotherapists.

Returning to triathlon decades later led me to JT Multisport, where I found a supportive community that reignited my love of the sport. Under the guidance of James and Grace, I achieved more than I thought possible and discovered a coaching philosophy that closely aligns with my own values. Completing my AusTriathlon Foundation Coach accreditation was a natural next step.

As an athlete-centred coach, I combine decades of experience in sports physiotherapy, education and high-performance sport to help athletes train confidently, stay healthy and enjoy the journey. I look forward to supporting JTM athletes of all abilities to achieve their goals in triathlon and multisport.

Margi

Credentials