Started from the Mud, Now We’re Here

VENICE, CALIFORNIA
33.9850° N, 118.4695° W

Shane always loved coffee—the aroma, the flavor, and especially the ritual. There was something about a freshly brewed cup that made him feel ready to take on the world. But over time, the experience would always end the same way. After finishing his cup, he’d feel an initial burst of energy, followed by a jittery crash that would throw off his sleep cycle. The next day, he’d find himself reaching for another cup just to feel alive again.

More and more, Shane began hearing people saying things like, “I’m trying to quit coffee,” or “I’m trying to keep it to just one cup a day.”

This made him wonder why the drink that so many people relied on to fuel their success wasn’t living up to its promise.

Eventually, Shane decided to stop drinking coffee. He lost the ritual he had grown so accustomed to, but instead of accepting that loss, he set out to recreate it in a better way.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”
—Mark Twain

Shane began asking himself what his ideal drink would look like—something he could consume every day before diving into the activities he loved. The drink had to:

• Induce alertness without fostering dependency.
• Improve mental clarity and function.
• Boost physical stamina and performance.
• Enhance immunity and overall health.

And, of course, it had to taste good enough for him to drink it every day. A tall order, but Shane was determined.

His first discovery was Yerba Mate. Introduced to him through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Yerba Mate was known for offering the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate. However, the bitterness and caffeine dependency made it an imperfect solution for Shane, who wanted to avoid becoming reliant on any substance.

Next, while living in India, Shane fell in love with Chai. The ritual of visiting a street corner vendor, where a bearded man would prepare the hot, spiced brew, fascinated him. The tea had just enough caffeine to provide a burst of energy, but it was also packed with ingredients that helped with inflammation, digestion, and pain relief. However, the tea was often too sweet for Shane’s taste, which left him wondering why this experience wasn’t more popular in the U.S.

After moving to Venice, California, Shane’s exposure to health food stores and podcasts led him to experiment with other substances that could help him create a better drink. He began incorporating:

• Lionsmane (for mental performance)
• Cordyceps (for physical performance)
• Reishi (for recovery and immunity)
• Chaga (for overall health)
• Turmeric (for inflammation)
• Cacao (for mood)

He blended these with unsweetened masala chai, sea salt, and vanilla, creating a custom beverage that became his daily ritual. He’d make a large batch in a 32-ounce hydro flask, sipping it throughout the day while working, training Jiu Jitsu, and painting.

After several trial and error experiments, Shane perfected his recipe. He began noticing remarkable benefits—better mental clarity, improved physical endurance, faster recovery after workouts, better sleep, and stronger immunity. His drink was everything coffee had promised but never delivered.

From this, Shane created MUD\WTR™, a drink born from his quest to find the perfect daily ritual. Now, he’s sharing it with the world, inviting others to experience the same benefits.