The Motherlode

Like many new mums, Jess turned to coffee to combat postpartum exhaustion. But years later, she still struggled with low energy, brain fog, and anxiety. A naturopath confirmed what she suspected—her caffeine habit was draining her, not fueling her. That realisation sparked Motherlode, a range of instant lattes designed to provide energy, balance mood, and support overall well-being.

Formulated with sustainably sourced marine collagen, each blend nurtures skin, hair, nails, and digestion—without the jitters or crash. Free from fillers, processed sugars, and emulsifiers, Motherlode offers a clean, nourishing alternative to traditional coffee, conveniently packaged in single-serve sachets for a seamless daily ritual.

This launch is extra special for us at FENN, as Jess has been part of our team since day one. We’re thrilled to be stocking Motherlode on our shelves from March, bringing her thoughtful, feel-good blends to our community. We sat down with her to chat about Motherlode’s journey, her approach to ingredients, and what’s next for the brand.

In my quest to reduce my coffee intake I started drinking matcha and decaffeinated coffee. Whilst these are super accessible options, I found it hard to nail down a local spot that delivered the perfect cup, every time.

After tasting matcha at my favourite Japanese cafe - Parami – I realised there was no need for bitter, milky matcha lattes anymore! So, I sourced some ceremonial matcha and began blending my own at home. I subbed out my literally-first-thing-in-the-morning coffee for a matcha and it has been a much better way to start up my day. I don’t get as jittery or anxious, my appetite is regulated and I feel more mentally resilient.

I guess the lightbulb moment came after chatting to other people who were also keen to reduce their caffeine consumption and have access to tasty and nourishing options that help get them through the day. For many of us herbal tea doesn’t quite hit the spot.

Following the exhaustion of postpartum, I was in the grip of a troublesome multi-coffees-a-day habit. I would literally go to bed dreaming of the stuff. After several years, I was still riding a rollercoaster of hormones manifesting in low energy, a foggy head, mood fluctuations, anxiety and overwhelm. It didn’t feel right to put up with it any longer. I worked with a naturopath; and through blood tests, I discovered my adrenals were empty - explainer:

When we are in a constant state of stress, our adrenals are overworked. When this happens, we feel exhausted, and depending on what organs are most affected, a variety of symptoms can arise. Common symptoms of adrenal exhaustion are a general lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, clouded mind, depression, weak immunity with frequent colds or other infections, and digestive issues.

More extreme cases can result in infertility, low blood pressure, and anaemia.

Caffeine intake is like a whip to the adrenals. It gives them a jolt. Using caffeine on exhausted adrenals is like using a whip to try and make a tired horse run. Eventually the horse will collapse.

The amount of coffee that is acceptable is different for different people. The best way to determine if the amount of coffee you are consuming is too much for your adrenals is to stop consuming it. If you have withdrawal symptoms, you are using too much.

I knew I needed to smarten up and shift my habits to something more supportive. I needed a quality substitute… which is how Motherlode came to be.

It really all comes down to flavour - yes the ingredients need to meet certain specifications (sustainably sourced, minimal processing, no additives etc) but the biggest driver is flavour.

I’ve been drinking ceremonial cacao for a long time now, the flavour can vary drastically. I've learnt matcha is very much the same - they are like wine - impacted by their location and time of harvest. It's been great to connect with people that are really connected to their products, and have a reverence for the plants they work with.

The collagen I’ve included needed to have zero ‘animal or fish’ aftertaste so that took some experimenting with. It can be hard to source, but I was very relieved to have found some. The cacao and matcha are also sweetened with a monk fruit sweetener which I have done extensive research on. I wanted a sweetener that didn’t trigger blood glucose levels so people that want a lower-calorie option could enjoy motherlode, though this benefits all.

As a qualified nutritionist, I have a foundational belief in the potency of food as medicine for both the body and mind. I seek a particular standard of ingredients; as whole and unprocessed as possible. I’m not blindly mixing in an ingredient. I need to understand the sourcing and processing of each ingredient. This requires time and consideration, connecting with people who respect the overall wellbeing of the people who will consume the product, the people who produce the product; the plants and the planet. Intention is important.

My key considerations in developing Motherl0de were flavour, wholefood ingredients with no unnecessary additives or processing. I’ve included collagen for its protein-based support, which we all now know, is excellent for skin, hair and nail health, gut repair and provides a supportive matrix for your digestion. Motherlode includes a 5 gram dose of collagen because we figured why not offer a truly decent serve. Some studies show visible results from 2.5 grams of daily collagen so most brands stick to offering this amount, but another study has shown that increasing your collagen by 5 grams a day can have a positive impact on your bone density as well, so why not?!

Many powdered lattes on the market include herbs and mushrooms for extra benefits. I decided to leave these out as they often negatively affect flavour and are added at small dosages that do not have a significant impact on health anyway. I think it’s best to source these supplements through a qualified practitioner who can provide products in doses that have proven impact.

Motherlode isn’t the magic pill but one part of a solution towards helping people shift out of the caffeine and sugar addictions that fuel our modern lives and lead to overstimulation and exhaustion. With over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed around the world every day it's clear to see so many of us turn to coffee to keep us going. Unfortunately, it doesn't always deliver the vibes you really need and instead leaves you with a dysregulated nervous system, imbalanced hormones, a confused appetite or an irritated gut, just to name a few symptoms.

More and more people are interested in alternatives. They want to experiment to see what they can do on a daily basis to help them feel as well as possible physically, mentally and emotionally.

By offering matcha, cacao and decaf coffee in easy-to-use, perfect portions Motherlode hopes to help people experience gentle energy boosts in an enjoyable way. Shifting out of poor habits isn't as simple as stopping, often you need to rewire the brain by substituting an alternative habit that delivers similar benefits, but without the icky side effects. From there it is easier to adjust.

I do also just want to share that coffee isn’t the devil, like anything it’s best consumed in moderation with consideration. It has a myriad of health benefits itself if consumed wisely. This is why I've also included a collagen coffee as part of the range… Motherlode isn’t about being all or nothing.

I often refer back to this quote as a guide for myself, after the ups and downs of postpartum, and adjusting to motherhood (and maybe just adjusting to adulthood in general…. anyone?!) I realised what would help me most each day, was to feel regulated, to be able to respond to my environment from a place of clarity, not overstimulation and exhaustion.

I want Motherlode to be seen as a way to tap into healthier choices that support your nervous system and other health goals.

It was also important to me that you can enjoy it wherever you go – home, office, school, uni or on holidays. That’s why I’ve started with sachets. Easy to throw in your handbag and use wherever you can access a kettle! Knowing you have a nourishing, delicious cuppa on hand so you can make the best choice for your body and mind.

I work as a doula and there have been so many times I found myself up all night with a woman in labour needing an uplifting but soothing drink to get me through, not an instant coffee reminiscent of cardboard or a sad little tea bag.

I hope Motherlode, whilst being a practical, healthy choice, also feels like a treat - which is why I’ve put so much consideration into the packaging, and building the brand. I want it to feel inspiring to use and look pretty on the shelf.

Mornings are busy with two boys to feed and prep for school, so matcha is first up. I try to read a bit of whatever book I've got on the go, as it feels like a luxurious to start the day and is better than picking up my phone. Usually, it's only 15 / 20 minutes before I have company and need to get the boys ready.

Once boys are at school, I'll either do a walk/run or take half an hour to listen to affirmations (currently finding that easier than meditating) to feel clear and grounded for the day ahead. Trying to start the day from a place of calm and clarity has helped my days feel less overwhelming as starting a business means no two days are the same at the moment and I'm being pulled in many directions. I make sure I get a  yummy nourishing breakfast - protein rich is the goal for my meals these days. It helps me to feel balanced and focused; and is best for hormonal health.

Can’t beat a motherlode matcha! I'm also obsessed with our decaf - I love the flavour of coffee but limit my coffee to one a day now, so this hits the spot for an afternoon cuppa.

Movement: a long walk or run, or water; a swim in the ocean even a shower can be transformative. Plus a locolove chocolate !

Currently I’m focusing on walking my own talk and trying to remember “success is a regulated nervous system” everything else flows effortlessly from there.