In July 2015, I woke up with what I assumed was a wicked hangover. The night before, I had indulged in a bit too much wine at a dinner party. No big deal, right? Except that the next day, I wasn’t feeling much better. Exhaustion clung to me like a fog, and I couldn’t shake it. I laughed it off at first, assuming I’d bounce back after a day of rest. But that bounce never came. Days turned into weeks, and I found myself barely able to function. I was someone who could easily crush a spin class, followed by Pilates, then walk up San Francisco’s steep hills to my apartment. Suddenly, I was a shell of that person, lying on the couch with no energy or will to do much of anything.

I knew something was horribly wrong. My once-vibrant self was gone.

The Wake-Up Call: Adrenal Fatigue

I’ve always been a health-conscious person. At age 11, I gave up candy and soda—a decision I’ve stuck to for decades (except for the occasional Jack and Coke in college!). Yet here I was, in my late 30s, looking youthful but feeling utterly drained.

I wanted to sleep all day, but insomnia kept me up all night. My body craved rest, yet rest was elusive. Workouts I once loved now felt like climbing Everest without training. My mental fog was thick, my energy nonexistent. That’s when two words popped into my mind: adrenal fatigue.

I didn’t even fully understand what it meant, but something told me I had to learn more.

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue happens when your adrenal glands—the small organs responsible for managing your body’s stress response—are overworked. When your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode, your adrenal glands can become exhausted, leading to a host of debilitating symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Chronic fatigue, especially an afternoon crash between 3-5 PM

• Unexplained weight gain, especially around the middle

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things (hello, brain fog!)

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and a heightened stress response

• Cravings for sugar or caffeine

• Low libido

• Difficulty sleeping, even when exhausted

• Hair loss, dry skin, and low blood pressure

Sound familiar?

Many of these symptoms are dismissed by traditional doctors. Since there’s no pharmaceutical fix for adrenal fatigue (unless it progresses to Addison’s disease), most doctors simply don’t recognize it. This leaves millions of people—especially women—searching for answers.

My Perfect Storm: The Lead-Up to Burnout

In the months leading up to my crash, life had finally started to look up. I had spent years struggling after graduating from law school during the 2008 financial crisis. Job prospects were bleak, and I found myself taking low-paying temp gigs just to get by. I couch-surfed, Airbnb’d my studio apartment to pay rent, and lived in constant survival mode.

The stress was relentless. I couldn’t sleep. I gained weight, despite eating healthy and working out. My body was storing every calorie as fat, as if it knew I was in survival mode.

Finally, I landed a stable job and thought my life was about to take off. But instead of soaring, I crashed. My body couldn’t keep up with years of stress. I had pushed too hard for too long.

The Path to Recovery: How I Reclaimed My Energy

Recovering from adrenal fatigue wasn’t quick or easy, but it taught me valuable lessons about listening to my body. Here’s what worked—and what didn’t—for me:

✅ What Helped:

1. Rest: I gave myself permission to slow down and sleep when I needed it.

2. Nourishment: I focused on whole foods and adaptogens to support my adrenal health.

3. Patience: Healing doesn’t happen overnight. I had to trust the process.

4. Flowing with the Season: I learned that no season—whether of struggle or rest—lasts forever.

❌ What Didn’t Help:

1. Pushing Through: Ignoring my body’s needs only made things worse.

2. Judging Myself: I had to let go of guilt and shame for needing rest.

3. Doing Things the Same Way: My old habits weren’t serving me anymore. I had to adapt.

How Adaptogens Changed the Game for Me

One of the biggest game-changers in my recovery was adaptogens. These powerful herbs help your body adapt to stress, balancing cortisol levels and restoring energy without the crash caffeine can have. I loved coffee but had to give it up while I was healing. When I was feeling better, I started drinking it again but it just didn’t make me feel like it used to. 

That’s why I created our adaptogen-infused instant coffee. Coffee is a beloved beverage of choice for many people and often a go-to for people dealing with suboptimal energy, but it can make things worse by spiking cortisol levels and causing energy crashes. That’s where the adaptogens really shine. Our blends combine organic instant coffee with adaptogens like rhodiola, reishi mushroom, and maca to give you a smooth, sustained energy boost without taxing your adrenals. And efficacy of the adaptogens actually increases with consistent use. 

Why Our Coffee Is a Must-Try:

• Balanced Energy: No jitters, no crash—just steady focus.

• Stress Support: Adaptogens help your body manage stress naturally.

• Delicious & Easy: Ready in seconds, our coffee tastes amazing and supports your health.

If you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of fatigue, it’s time to try something new. You don’t have to push yourself to the point of burnout. Nourish your body with what it truly needs.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?

Our adaptogen instant coffee isn’t just about starting your day with a boost—it’s about reclaiming your energy, your focus, and your life.

Shop Now and start your journey to balanced energy and better health.

 

Your body will thank you.