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

Dave Asprey

Jun 25, 2026

Episode description

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!

- 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 $1

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Connect willpower to mitochondrial function for energy management

Human willpower is directly tied to mitochondrial function, and laziness is a smart biological signal to conserve energy when it's low.

#energy

#mitochondria

Use caffeine metabolite paraxanthine for restful sleep after nights out

The speaker claims he can drink MTE, which contains the caffeine metabolite paraxanthine, before an evening out and still sleep 'like a baby' afterward.

#sleep

#stimulant

Create full-stack energy solutions with nootropics, adaptogens, and prebiotics

A modern energy product should be a 'full-stack' solution that supports foundational energy by including nootropics, adaptogens, and prebiotics for mood, stress, and gut health.

#energy

#supplement

Incorporate adaptogens to manage stress and prevent energy crashes

Including adaptogens like ashwagandha and eleuthero helps manage the stress response and cortisol, preventing the energy crash associated with stimulants.

#adaptogen

#stress

Utilize saffron for mood stabilization and improved sleep

The nootropic saffron is included not only for its mood-stabilizing effects during the day but also because it helps you sleep better at night.

#sleep

#supplement

Master clean sweetening with Stevia and Reb M for balanced flavor

By combining different sweeteners like Stevia and Reb M, you can create a smooth taste profile that targets the front, middle, and back of the tongue.

#nutrition

Cultivate peaceful, focused energy over anxious, overwhelming energy

There are two kinds of energy: a peaceful, focused energy and an anxious, overwhelming energy like that from meth or typical energy drinks.

#energy

#focus

Utilize paraxanthine for focused energy without jitters

Paraxanthine, a primary metabolite of caffeine, is used to provide the focus and energy benefits of caffeine without the negative side effects like jitters.

#energy

#focus

Focus energy allocation for greater success

The host believes that the less he uses his willpower and instead focuses on the most efficient allocation of his energy, the more successful he becomes.