The Eat for Endurance Podcast From PowerBar to JAMBAR: Jennifer Maxwell on Fueling Athletes, Raising 6 Kids, and Life Beyond Running
What happens when your identity as an athlete evolves, but your passion for movement, innovation, and challenge stays the same?
In episode 134 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by Jennifer Maxwell, co-founder of PowerBar and creator of JAMBAR, to talk about running, entrepreneurship, fueling a large, active family, and finding new passions later in life.
Jennifer helped launch the global bar category back in 1985 with her husband, long before fueling strategies became a core part of endurance performance. But this conversation goes far beyond the history of energy bars.
Jennifer and I discuss:
- How she ran her first marathon at the age of 13
- Her early interest in cooking and food science
- What it was like building PowerBar out of her apartment while still in college
- How she balanced running a business, training, and raising 6 children
- How her relationship with running changed after having kids, and especially after her husband's sudden death in 2004
- Why learning the drums later in life became such an important outlet
- What inspired her return to the bar business decades later with JAMBAR
Jennifer’s story is a powerful reminder that your identity is never fixed. How you move and fuel your body as well as how you spend your time is meant to evolve across different seasons of life.
🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation!
Note: This podcast is NOT sponsored by JAMBAR. I just wanted to share Jenny's unique story!
Links & Resources
- Visit the official JAMBAR website
- Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
- Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
- Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
- Grab my Eat for Endurance Mini Guide Bundle (these are included in FLC)
- Check out my free nutrition downloads
- Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
- Have a topic you’d like to request? Email me at claire@eatforendurance.com
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Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
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