EP 1415

1415. The ‘Secret Sauce’ To A 10/10 Morning Routine | Jeff Boyd

Jeff Boyd, founder and chairman of MTE (More Than Energy) and former President of Luggage Free, joins Host Dave Asprey to break down why the way we energize as a society is fundamentally broken, how paraxanthine delivers the cognitive and physical benefits of caffeine without the sleep disruption or cortisol spike, why the adaptogen trio of ashwagandha, eleuthero, and maca works as a full-spectrum stress response system rather than a simple stimulant band-aid, how saffron functions as one of the most underrated nootropics for mood stabilization and brain optimization, why gut health and prebiotics are inseparable from sustainable daily energy and long-term metabolism, how mitochondria output drives willpower and entrepreneurial endurance far more than mindset or motivation, why AI fluency is now the single most important skill for small teams competing against larger operations, and how building energy foundationally across the full day changes everything from afternoon focus to sleep quality to long-term longevity. Essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, supplements, nootropics, clean energy, stress response, sleep optimization, gut health, human performance, brain optimization, and smarter not harder approaches to fueling a high-output life. 

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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...

Subtitle: The Caffeine Metabolite That Gives You Energy Without Wrecking Your Sleep 

-Get 15% off your next order at: https://getmte.com/dave 

Most energy drinks trade your long-term health for a short-term jolt. This episode breaks down a smarter approach to energy, one that builds mitochondria function, supports gut health, stabilizes mood, and helps you sleep better at night, all without the crash 

 

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Jeff Boyd, founder and chairman of MTE (More Than Energy), the caffeine-free energy drink built around adaptogens, nootropics, and prebiotics that delivers what Boyd calls “energy that loves you back.” Before launching MTE, Jeff spent 15 years as President and co-owner of Luggage Free, scaling the company to operations in over 100 countries before selling it in 2019. He brings the operational discipline of a veteran entrepreneur and the personal conviction of someone who built the energy product he actually wanted to exist. 

 

Dave and Jeff get into the full science and strategy behind MTE’s ingredient stack, including paraxanthine, ashwagandha, eleuthero, maca, GABA, theanine, and saffron, and why each one was chosen for its role in stress response, brain optimization, and sleep optimization. They also dig into the formulation challenges of building a clean-label supplement over a stimulant base, the real difference between caffeine and its downstream metabolite paraxanthine, and why this blend functions more like a foundational biohacking protocol than a beverage. 

You’ll Learn: 

  • Why conventional energy drinks wreck your cortisol curve and what to do instead 
  • How paraxanthine delivers the benefits of caffeine without the jitters or sleep disruption 
  • The adaptogen trio (ashwagandha, eleuthero, and maca) and how they work together for stress response and human performance 
  • Why saffron is one of the most underrated nootropics for mood and brain optimization 
  • How gut health and the microbiome connect directly to your energy, metabolism, and longevity 
  • The mitochondria connection between willpower, physical performance, and entrepreneurial output 
  • How AI is reshaping small teams and what founders need to do right now to stay competitive 
  • Why the cleanest path to anti-aging and longevity starts with how you manage your energy across the day 

 

 

Keywords: Jeff Boyd, MTE, More Than Energy, caffeine-free energy, paraxanthine, adaptogens, ashwagandha, eleuthero, maca, nootropics, saffron, GABA, theanine, prebiotics, gut health, stress response, cortisol management, sleep optimization, huckleberry acai, clean label formulation, stevia Reb A, energy drink alternative, paraxanthine vs caffeine, afternoon energy, Luggage Free, cycling endurance, long jump training, ADHD entrepreneurship, AI small teams, willpower mitochondria 

 

Resources:   

"I call it my limitless powder."

Jeff Boyd

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00:00 – Trailer 

Jeff Boyd and Dave preview why most energy drinks are working against you and what a smarter approach to energy actually looks like. 

00:42 – What Is MTE? 

Jeff breaks down the core philosophy behind MTE, a caffeine-free, full-spectrum energy drink built around adaptogens, nootropics, and prebiotics designed to energize you foundationally instead of hitting you like a stimulant tsunami. 

03:50 – Ingredients Deep Dive 

Dave and Jeff unpack the full stack including paraxanthine, ashwagandha, eleuthero, maca, GABA, theanine, and saffron, and why each ingredient was chosen for stress response, mood, brain optimization, and sleep. 

09:49 – Flavors & Formulation 

Jeff explains the challenge of formulating a clean-label product over a stimulant base, the science of sweetening with stevia and Reb A, and how a comedian from Montana inspired the Huckleberry Acai flavor. 

12:31 – Dave’s Caffeine Origin 

Dave shares the story of cold-emailing a caffeine chemistry professor at 18 trying to invent a caffeine spray, and how that curiosity planted the seeds for decades of nootropic exploration. 

18:35 – Athletic Identity 

Jeff opens up about his dual life as a competitive cyclist and long jumper, and why switching between power and endurance sports keeps both his body and his entrepreneurial mind sharp. 

22:38 – ADHD & Entrepreneurship 

Dave and Jeff connect the dots between ADHD, the tolerance for suffering, and what it actually takes to run a company where every unsolved problem lands on your desk. 

26:43 – AI & Future of Work 

Dave makes the case that every employee who does not get fluent in AI is on borrowed time, and Jeff shares how his lean team of 14 is already using it to punch well above their weight. 

30:47 – Willpower & Mitochondria 

Dave argues that willpower is not a character trait but a mitochondrial output, and Jeff reflects on how process, competition, and genuine love of movement fuel his drive without white-knuckling it. 

35:34 – MTE Wrap-Up 

Jeff shares where to find MTE and the discount code, and Dave closes out with a reminder that getting more from your energy starts with what you put in your body every single afternoon. 

 

Thank you to our sponsors!      

– Beyond Wonderland Conference | Oct 13 – 14, 2026. Get your ticket now at wonderlandconference.com. 

– Gatlan | Book your free consultation at www.gatlan.com/DAVE 

– BrainTap | Go to http://braintap.com/dave to get $100 off the BrainTap Power Bundle. 

– Danger Coffee | Grab yours at DangerCoffee.comand use code DAVEPOD at checkout for 15% off. 

Enjoy the show!

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