Jenna Wolfe has never been afraid of a live mic, a little chaos or a good sweat. The Jamaican American journalist and personal trainer—best known for her work on NBC’s “Today” show and Fox Sports’ “First Things First”—has spent her life in motion. From live television to lifting weights, Wolfe has built a career and a life grounded in authenticity, energy and resilience.
“Nothing ever goes according to plan,” Wolfe says with a laugh. “And that’s the plan.”
After years in front of the camera, Wolfe has learned that the best moments often come when things go wrong—when the teleprompter freezes or, as she recalls, when she accidentally called a guest the wrong name on live television.
“That’s where the magic lives,” she says. “That’s when you stop performing and start just being. People don’t connect with perfect—they connect with real. My biggest takeaway? Be authentic, be yourself, and stay caffeinated."
Island Roots, Independent Spirit
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Haiti, Wolfe’s early years were as colorful as her career would become. Her childhood in the Caribbean was defined by independence, creativity and curiosity.
“Island life is gorgeous and idyllic, but it can also be isolating,” she says. “If I wanted to be entertained or inspired, it was on me. I built imaginary news desks, held imaginary press conferences and told imaginary stories.”
That resourcefulness followed her into adulthood.
“I learned how to make something out of nothing,” she says. “Which, coincidentally, is also how live TV works most days.”
The warm climate also instilled a deep connection to movement and wellness. “Being outdoors gave me a lifelong respect for nature and my body,” Wolfe says. “It taught me to be self-sufficient, curious and to create my own goals.”
From Newsroom to Gym Floor
Wolfe’s shift from journalism to fitness was less of a career change and more of an evolution—one inspired by motherhood.
“After I had kids, wellness stopped being this extra thing I did between segments,” she says. “It became the foundation for everything. I wanted the energy to chase my kids and the longevity to keep showing up for them.”
Her two worlds, she says, aren’t all that different.
“Journalism taught me how to tell stories. Fitness taught me how to live mine,” she says. “Both require the same thing: good posture, great curiosity and the ability to keep talking while completely out of breath.”
Defining Strength
These days, Wolfe’s definition of strength has nothing to do with dumbbells or squats.
“Strength is setting a good example for my kids,” she says. “Kindness, resilience, forgiveness, grit—and the ability to get up every time you fall down. Strength isn’t about how much weight you can lift; it’s about putting one foot in front of the other, every single day.”
She teaches her daughters that failure is a teacher, not an enemy.
“You learn more from losing than from winning,” she says. “We’re all a work in progress. We all make mistakes. The key is figuring out why so the same mistakes aren’t made over again.”
Standing Out, Not Blending In
As a trailblazer in both network news and sports broadcasting, Wolfe knows what it means to be one of the few women in the room.
“When I started in sports, I thought if I worked twice as hard and knew twice as much, I’d earn my seat at the table,” she says. “What I eventually learned is: you don’t need anyone to hand you that seat. Bring your own chair.”
Her advice to young women entering high-pressure industries is sharp and empowering.
“Don’t try to blend in—stand out, intelligently,” she says. “Confidence isn’t about being the loudest voice; it’s about knowing your stuff so well you can deliver it anytime, anywhere. Being a woman in those spaces is your superpower. Do the work. Know your facts. And when the moment comes, deliver your line and never let anyone define your worth.”
Anchoring the Chaos
Wolfe’s days begin before dawn—by choice.
“My morning routine is sacred,” she says. “I wake up at 4:30 a.m. because that’s my time. The world is quiet, no one’s calling me and for about an hour, I just get to be.”
Her ritual includes chia-seed lemon water, coffee (“at this point it’s more ceremony than caffeine”), stretching, word games and reading the news.
“By the time my kids wake up, I’ve already hydrated, caffeinated, educated and elongated,” she says, laughing. “That quiet hour sets the tone for my whole day.”
As for balance? She doesn’t believe in perfection.
“Balance isn’t doing everything equally well,” Wolfe says. “It’s knowing what matters most in that moment and giving it your full attention. Sometimes that’s a deadline, sometimes it’s dinner with my kids. I protect what grounds me—my mornings, my workouts, my family.”
What’s Next
Though she has stepped away from daily broadcasting, Wolfe’s career continues to evolve. She now consults, writes and coaches clients—helping them get stronger “not just in the gym, but in the boardroom, on stage or wherever their version of live TV happens to be.”
“It’s mindset, movement and motivation,” she says. “Whether you’re giving a keynote, launching a business or just surviving another Monday—it’s all performance. And I love helping people find their confidence, presence and power.”
Her message, from Kingston to national television, remains simple:
“If you want your life to change,” Wolfe says, “you have to change your life.”
For more information, visit jennawolfe.com.