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

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

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

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- 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.

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

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:

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

• Purchase Dr. Fotuhi’s New Book The Invincible Brain: https://a.co/d/0iHCgPpL

• Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/

• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15

• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)

• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)

• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com

• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated

• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer

00:42 – What Is MTE?

03:50 – Ingredients Deep Dive

09:49 – Flavors & Formulation

12:31 – Dave's Caffeine Origin

18:35 – Athletic Identity

22:38 – ADHD & Entrepreneurship

26:43 – AI & Future of Work

30:47 – Willpower & Mitochondria

35:34 – MTE Wrap-Up

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The 'Secret Sauce' To A 10/10 Morning Routine : 1490

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

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