Why I broke up with coffee

Coffee as a ritual

For years coffee and I were inseparable. It was the ritual that framed my mornings and kept me going through long workdays. I loved everything about it — the aroma, the warmth, the rush of energy after that first sip. Thinking back on it, I truly believe I was addicted to the "idea" of having a coffee, not the enjoyment that comes from drinking it. 

What I didn’t realise was how coffee was quietly taking its toll on me.

 

 

A Frustrating Journey to Find Answers

It started with my stomach. At first it was just a mild discomfort after my second  cup of the day. But as time went on that discomfort grew into persistent pain that lingered through meetings, workouts, and even quiet evenings at home. I convinced myself it was stress or something I ate, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

Then came the anxiety. Slowly but surely I found myself overwhelmed by small things — an email I hadn’t responded to, traffic on my way home from work, even casual conversations with my partner. I felt like my brain was on overdrive and unable to slow down. This constant state of tension began to affect my relationships. I snapped at my partner over trivial things and avoided plans with friends because I felt too restless to enjoy myself.

I tried everything to fix it.

I hit the gym harder, thinking exercise might help me burn off the nervous energy. When that didn’t work I dove into mindfulness apps and meditation routines. While these helped temporarily, they didn’t address the root cause. I also experimented with my diet, cutting out sugar, gluten, and dairy at various points, only to find the stomach pain and anxiety persisted.

I even overhauled my work-life balance, setting strict boundaries around emails and taking more breaks during the day. But no matter what I changed I couldn’t escape the jittery highs and inevitable crashes that left me feeling drained, irritable, and — honestly — disconnected from myself.

After years of struggling it hit me: could coffee be the culprit?

 

 

The Struggle and the Breakthrough

Coffee was my lifeline, the thing that got me through my toughest days. But as I researched, I learned how caffeine can disrupt your hormones, spiking cortisol (the stress hormone) and leaving your body in a state of fight-or-flight. It can also wreak havoc on your digestion, trigger anxiety, and lead to sleep disruptions — all things I was experiencing daily.

I decided to quit coffee.

The first week was brutal. The withdrawal headaches were relentless, and I felt sluggish without my usual morning kickstart. But gradually something incredible happened. My stomach pain disappeared. My thoughts became clearer. For the first time in years I felt genuinely calm. It was really nice

Still, I missed the ritual of coffee — the act of holding a warm cup in my hands, the comfort of starting my day with something grounding. That’s when I discovered mushroom coffee.

I began to experiment with mushroom coffee brands in Australia, each one with their own important niche, but I always felt I couldn't find exactly what I needed: something that replicated coffee and gives me that spicey and dark hit.  

So I created Earthrise.

 

From Chaos to Calm

Our mushroom blends are packed with functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, which supports focus, and Chaga, which is great for gut health. Plus it has a rich, earthy flavor that feels indulgent and has similar profiles to coffee.

After my first week sipping on Earthrise I felt a subtle but unmistakable difference. I was alert and motivated without the jitters. My energy stayed consistent throughout the day — no mid-afternoon crash, no need for another pick-me-up. And the best part? My anxiety was gone.

So we released this product to the wider world and the reception has been incredible. Thousands of Aussie's have switched to Earthrise, and the feedback has been exceptional. Here is a particular favourite of mine from Amanda:

"I was a 6 cup a day coffee drinker and Earthrise made it possible to become completely coffee free. A new staple to my morning and I love my mixing cup dearly."

 

 

Life Beyond Coffee

Looking back, I can’t believe I spent so many years tied to coffee’s chaotic cycle. It had affected every part of my life — my mood, my health, even my relationships. But Earthrise has given me more than a replacement for coffee; it’s given me balance.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in coffee’s grip, I can’t recommend our products enough. It didn’t just transform my mornings and nights — they transformed my entire life. For the first time in years I feel like myself again.

If you connect with this journey I went through, please feel free to reach out to me via the Contact page on our website. I would love to help you work through the trials and tribulations of quitting coffee. It's a tough one, but you're not alone!

Written by Adam Racovalis.