About This Episode
<p>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 </p><p><br /></p><p>-Get 15% off your next order at: <a href="https://getmte.com/dave" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://getmte.com/dave</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>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. </p><p><br /></p><p>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. </p><p><br /></p><p>You'll Learn: </p><ul><li>Why conventional energy drinks wreck your cortisol curve and what to do instead </li><li>How paraxanthine delivers the benefits of caffeine without the jitters or sleep disruption </li><li>The adaptogen trio (ashwagandha, eleuthero, and maca) and how they work together for stress response and human performance </li><li>Why saffron is one of the most underrated nootropics for mood and brain optimization </li><li>How gut health and the microbiome connect directly to your energy, metabolism, and longevity </li><li>The mitochondria connection between willpower, physical performance, and entrepreneurial output </li><li>How AI is reshaping small teams and what founders need to do right now to stay competitive </li><li>Why the cleanest path to anti-aging and longevity starts with how you manage your energy across the day </li></ul><p><br /></p><p><strong>Thank you to our sponsors!</strong> </p><p>- Beyond Wonderland Conference | Oct 13 - 14, 2026. Get your ticket now at <a href="http://wonderlandconference.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wonderlandconference.com</a>. </p><p>- Gatlan | Book your free consultation at <a href="http://www.gatlan.com/DAVE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gatlan.com/DAVE</a> </p><p>- BrainTap | Go to <a href="http://braintap.com/dave" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://braintap.com/dave</a> to get $100 off the BrainTap Power Bundle. </p><p>- Danger Coffee | Grab yours at <a href="http://dangercoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DangerCoffee.com</a>and use code DAVEPOD at checkout for 15% off. </p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Dave Asprey</strong> is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of <strong>Bulletproof Coffee</strong>, and the <strong>father of biohacking</strong>. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, <em>The Human Upgrade</em> 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. </p><p><br /></p><p>New episodes are released every <strong>Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS)</strong>. Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. </p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> 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 </p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong> </p><p>• Get 15% off your next order at: <a href="https://getmte.com/dave" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://getmte.com/dave</a> </p><p>• Purchase Dr. Fotuhi’s New Book <em>The Invincible Brain</em>: <a href="https://a.co/d/0iHCgPpL" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://a.co/d/0iHCgPpL</a> </p><p>• Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at <a href="https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/</a> </p><p>• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to <a href="https://daveasprey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://daveasprey.com/</a> to join <em>Inside Track</em> today. </p><p>• Danger Coffee: <a href="https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15</a> </p><p>• My Daily Supplements: <a href="https://www.shopsuppgradelabs.com/discount/DAVE15" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SuppGrade Labs</a> (15% Off) </p><p>• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: <a href="https://truedark.com/?coupon-code=DAVEASPREY15&sc-page=shop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TrueDark</a> (15% Off) </p><p>• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: <a href="https://beyondconference.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://beyondconference.com</a> </p><p>• Dave Asprey’s New Book – <em>Heavily Meditated</em>: <a href="https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated</a> </p><p>• Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): <a href="https://substack.daveasprey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://substack.daveasprey.com/</a> </p><p>• Upgrade Labs: <a href="https://upgradelabs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://upgradelabs.com</a> </p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong> </p><p>00:00 – Trailer </p><p>00:42 – What Is MTE? </p><p>03:50 – Ingredients Deep Dive </p><p>09:49 – Flavors & Formulation </p><p>12:31 – Dave's Caffeine Origin </p><p>18:35 – Athletic Identity </p><p>22:38 – ADHD & Entrepreneurship </p><p>26:43 – AI & Future of Work </p><p>30:47 – Willpower & Mitochondria </p><p>35:34 – MTE Wrap-Up </p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>