Jenny Maxwell founded PowerBar with her husband Brian while she was still in college. As two elite runners, they wanted quick pre-run nutrition that wouldn't upset their stomachs. Eventually, they sold PowerBar to Nestle and also started a family with six kids.

When the youngest was an infant, Brian's heart stopped while running and he passed.

Jenny's story is one of strength and perseverance. (She ran her first marathon at the age of 13!). She found solace in running and strength in motherhood. She also eventually found a new passion, drums--which eventually led to finding a new energy bar company, JAMBAR. JAMBARs are delicious and so nutritious bars that also are packed with protein.

Jenny opens up about:

🌀how she carried on after suddenly losing Brian

🌀The beginnings of founding PowerBar

🌀the void JAMBAR fills

🌀And, her secrets for LONGEVITY in running, as a runner of 45 years, so much more.

PS: I was sent JAMBAR samples but JAMBAR did not sponsor this episode!

RESOURCES:

Website: jambar.com

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!:

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 — Introduction and who’s living in the house

2:10 — Parenting advice and raising productive kids

3:14 — Her first marathon at age 13

6:10 — Brian’s Olympic marathon background

8:55 — How Power Bar began

11:02 — Early production and mail-order startup days

15:28 — Selling Power Bar to Nestlé

17:32 — Brian’s passing and its impact

23:37 — Starting drums and music as a new outlet

26:05 — The origin of Jam Bar and healthier ingredients

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

www.themotherrunners.com
Instagram: @themotherrunners
YouTube: The Mother Runners
whitney@themotherrunners.com

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