We sat down with Après co-founder, Darby Jackson, to learn about how she *realistically* balances life, her love for wellness and a thriving plant-based protein business—all while positively evolving her personal brand. 

What idea sparked Après and how has being part of the wellness industry shaped you? 

It was very clear to my co-founder and I that there was nothing on the market that spoke to the modern wellness consumer post-workout. Everything either screamed 'bulk and biceps', had a terrifying ingredient list, or was too hard on the stomach. I was also a health coach and personal trainer and the number one question I'd get from all of my clients was, "What do I eat or drink after I workout?". I didn't have a clean and convenient recommendation for them.

Drawing on our backgrounds as Division 1 athletes, my experience with my clients, and feedback from boutique fitness studio owners, we built Après from the ground up to meet our customer's exact needs. It took us a year and a half to design the product and get it right, but it's that attention to detail and 100% commitment that I think has helped Après gain such early momentum. 

What’s your wellness routine? How has it evolved over time?

My daily wellness routine used to involve rigorous exercise but I've since slowed things down. I've learned that my body and brain need a combination of intense exercise mixed with yoga, meditation and overall more rest! I think it's easy to get caught up in the mindset that more is better with exercise but a few great classes per week mixed with some walking, meditation, and self-care is perfect for me right now.  

As an entrepreneur, you’re always on the go. What class do you book ahead of time to make sure you get a workout in?

Speaking of hard workouts, I've fallen in love with boxing. It does a great job of feeding my athletic, competitive side while also pumping me up for whatever comes next in my day. Every time I walk out of a boxing class I feel like I'm ready to take on the world. 

Do you have a go-to recipe that incorporates Après?

Yes! Right now I'm in love with a pumpkin smoothie recipe we developed for the holidays. It's 1 Vanilla Après mixed with 2 tablespoons of almond butter, 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and ice cubes. It's to die for! 

How do you pick new flavors? We know Cold Brew and Vanilla just came out, can you tease any others? 

The inspiration for new Après flavors comes from our community. We are constantly asking people via social posts and stories about what they'd like to see from us next. When we polled our following earlier this year, it was clear that they were looking for a coffee and vanilla flavor from us. We also started to see people pour their Après into their morning coffee, so it was a no-brainer. In terms of new flavors, we are working on two right now. All I can say is that people will be very happy! 

Want to treat yourself post-workout? Use code MINDBODY20 to get 20% off all Après products!