Steve Frazier — Release the Coffee Cuffs: Beating Caffeine Without Quitting Life
Steve Frazier is the author of Release the Coffee Cuffs and a self-sabotage coach who helps entrepreneurs and everyday high-performers renegotiate their relationship with caffeine. After decades as a restaurant owner and a chronic caffeine user, Steve turned deep research and real-world experience into a practical framework for cutting back (or quitting) without crashing your life or your business.
In this episode, Steve and Ken unpack the mental, physical, and entrepreneurial sides of dependency—how caffeine quietly hijacks focus, mood, and sleep—and the step-by-step plan Steve uses to help people regain control.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
Track to take back control: You can’t manage what you don’t measure—log every source and ounce of caffeine to reveal your true daily load.
Taper, don’t torture: Reduce withdrawal by mixing down (e.g., 75% caf / 25% decaf → 50/50 → 25/75) over weeks instead of going cold turkey.
Understand the brain chemistry: Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, alters dopamine dynamics, and pushes you to chase “baseline” rather than a real boost.
Protect your sleep (and performance): Regular caffeine use disrupts circadian rhythm and shortens Stage 3 (healing, hormones) and Stage 4 REM (deep recovery).
Support sustains success: Steve’s 8-week program with 8 months of community coaching, forums, and mindset work keeps people from sliding back.
Memorable Quote:
“Being healthy is work.”