Chapter 1: The Impact of Caffeine on Health

Caffeine has been a significant part of my life, especially as I navigated the challenges of college. Coming from a family with a history of alcoholism, I sought alternatives to heavy drinking during my time at SUNY Albany, a school known for its vibrant party scene. With tempting $1 draft beers just a short walk away, resisting the urge to indulge was tough.

Before attending Albany, I had developed an obsession with scrutinizing nutrition labels on food items. My prior experience at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I received a D in nutrition concepts, left me feeling unprepared. So, I began to read ingredient lists, thinking I understood what I was doing.

Around this time, I also started using supplements, particularly a pre-workout drink named NO Shotgun by VPX, the same brand behind the popular energy drink 'BANG.' The label warned, "this product contains caffeine. Avoid use near bedtime."

In college, my sense of time often felt arbitrary. I convinced myself, "I’ll just work out harder and then fall asleep easily." Sadly, I learned the hard way that caffeine disrupts sleep cycles, keeping me awake for hours.

This experience taught me that caffeine has a half-life of about eight hours. If I consumed coffee at 5 PM, I might not feel jittery by 8 or 9 PM, but it was still affecting my body. Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing the natural signals for sleep from taking effect.

Imagine your brain as a theater with 'sleepy seats' filled by adenosine, a chemical that induces sleep. As adenosine accumulates, it fills these seats, signaling it's time to rest. Caffeine, however, acts like a sneaky poker player, taking over these seats and keeping you awake when you should be sleeping.

Sleep is essential for recovery and rejuvenation, but caffeine's lingering effects can hinder this process. Establishing a caffeine curfew can be a game-changer. Aim to stop consuming caffeine about eight hours before your desired bedtime. Assess how long your nighttime routine takes—some people can transition quickly, while others may need more time.

For me, that cutoff was 2 PM. Initially, I resisted this change, but everything shifted when I joined a mastermind group led by a renowned professional poker player in 2018. While I was confident in my health knowledge as a personal trainer, learning about caffeine’s influence on sleep was a reality check.

Despite my history of consuming energy drinks at all hours, I had to confront this ugly truth. There were times I would pull over during long drives to casinos just to nap or to grab a high-caffeine drink for a boost.

In the midst of what would become my worst year playing poker—experiencing a downturn of over $10,000—I sought guidance and was willing to invest in it. However, resisting the idea of a caffeine curfew was one of the few aspects I hesitated to adopt. Yet, it turned out to be one of the most significant lessons I learned from that mastermind experience.

Setting a caffeine curfew may seem trivial, but it can dramatically enhance your well-being. Try it out! As the clock nears your chosen cutoff time, see if you really need that afternoon coffee. You may discover you can function without it, or perhaps you genuinely do need the boost.

Ultimately, this experiment can lead to valuable insights into your sleep habits. Remember, in this journey, you either win or learn.

In the video titled "I Spent OVER $65K on Coaching Programs This Year... Worth It?" the speaker reflects on their significant investment in coaching and the lessons learned, paralleling my own journey of self-discovery through caffeine awareness.

Chapter 2: Debunking Financial Myths

The second video, "Lies About Money That Keep You Broke | Mastermind," addresses common misconceptions surrounding money management, which can be just as pivotal as understanding caffeine's effect on our bodies.

This insightful discussion highlights the importance of making informed decisions, whether about your health or finances, reinforcing the idea that knowledge truly is power.