Shimona Jok reflects on dietary overhaul that has turned her career around ahead of 100th Super Netball match

When Shimona Jok first took to the Suncorp Super Netball court 99 games ago nutrition and her body’s needs were not high priorities – now she won’t even eat a piece of chocolate.

You won’t find any Easter chocolates in Shimona Jok’s kit bag or house – in fact you won’t find any chocolate anywhere ever – the Mavericks star sticks to a very strict diet and chocolate does not make the cut.

Jok, who was looked over when Collingwood collapsed and signed as an 11th player at the Mavericks last season, is set to play her 100th Super Netball game this weekend.

The 26-year-old Jamaican said when she first started her professional netball career at the Thunderbirds she had little understanding of nutrition, balance or the importance of listening to her body. Studying her nursing degree really opened her eyes to the power of food.

Shimona Jok recently against the NSW Swifts. Picture: McCawley/Getty Images

“I had the intention of wanting to do better but I just wasn’t taught how,” Jok said.

“But now I’ve been given those tools to become a better professional athlete.”

Jok said some foods could cause inflammation and others won’t allow muscles to relax.

“I’m very in tune with that,” Jok said.

“Going into nursing made me a bit more into it as I was doing the work and training and had to ensure that what I was eating was enough for both.

“I don’t eat fried foods, I don’t eat chocolate, there is a lot of good stuff that I don’t allow myself to have,” he said.

“I also try to stay away from acidic fruits – they are hard to stay away from.”

Shimona Jok has made some lifestyle changes which has helped her get to 100 matches. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Everything Jok does from juggling her second job as a nurse in the ICU, training schedule, free time is structured around ensuring she can deliver the best performance she can on the court.

It is that intense dedication that saw Jok go from being the 11th player to playing 12 games in the Mavericks inaugural season and winning the club’s first MVP award.

Mavericks defender Kim Brown said Jok was an inspiration.

Shimona Jok consoling teammate Eleanor Cardwell after a loss in 2024. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

“It’s incredible to see her growth throughout last year and this year,” Brown said.

“From not having a contract originally to getting that MVP is incredible. She’s such a beast out on court and I love that I get to play off against her. I can’t wait to see her grow even more into this season.”

Jok said last season’s huge turn around certainly hadn’t been on her bingo card.

Shimona Jok’s was shocked by her 2024 season. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“But life happens and it is about how well you adapt and learn from it and keep moving in a way where it’s very positive,” Jok said.

“As much as I wasn’t contracted I still had the opportunity to be in a professional environment, to try and learn what I needed to be better at and take that on.

“Along the way I was able to find out who I really am, that helped me to not really think about the fact I wasn’t contracted.

“The month before all I had been thinking about was that I wasn’t good enough or how I was constantly overlooked.”

Taking on a job as a nurse in the ICU “flipped everything on its head” for Jok.

“I was so caught up in all that I’m not worthy people just overlook me but now I have a purpose where I’m able to help with people’s lives,” she said.

“It makes me want to give a lot more to these girls that I play with because we al live once and it’s how we treat people along the way, I’m very big on just being a selfless human being.”

Jok has one simple goal for this season – step on the court in all 14 matches and hopefully on to finals.

“We can definitely work towards it, we just have to remain strong, dominant and just stick to the game plan,” Jok said.

Mavericks will host Giants on Sunday at 2pm (AEST).