Bryan Johnson‘s lifestyle may strike you as unconventional. He’s up at 4:30 am, finishes all his meals by 11 am, and calls it a night at 8:30 pm.
In between, he follows a rigorous routine:
- Taking over 100 pills.
- Basking in LED light.
- Using an electromagnetic device to boost his pelvic muscles.
His aim? To slow down aging, making his biological age stay put while time moves forward. His ultimate wish? “Don’t die.” And he’s eager for others to join him in this quest [1].
Yet, only some people are on board with Johnson’s approach. Many longevity experts argue that the human body can’t be tinkered like this.
Social media critics often say he looks older than 45 or wish him harm. But Johnson remains undaunted. He’s spent two years refining “Blueprint,” a set of habits that care for him better than his judgment [2, 3].
He shares these details online, making it accessible for anyone at a fraction of his reported $2 million annual investment. Johnson’s journey into antiaging began under less-than-ideal circumstances.
After selling his company, Braintree Venmo, for $800 million in 2013, he grappled with overindulgence, depression and unhealthy habits. That’s when he turned to algorithms, realizing he needed more than he could muster.
Today, Johnson dubs himself “the world’s most measured human.” His medical team continually monitors his body, tracking everything from cholesterol levels to telomere length.
This data guides his quest to improve these metrics. He’s scrutinized thousands of scientific publications on healthspan and lifespan to shape his lifestyle.
Johnson’s daily routine isn’t typical. Most meals are repetitive, featuring “super greens” and “nutty pudding.” He takes 54 pills in the morning and the rest throughout the day between treatments and measurements. He adheres to a calorie-restricted diet, shuns alcohol and avoids late nights.
Is Johnson’s regimen effective? It depends on your definition of success.
His vital stats are improving, with a VO2 max comparable to someone much younger. Yet, he hasn’t stopped aging itself. Leading longevity expert Dr Charles Brenner argues that Johnson’s approach can’t alter maximal lifespan.
Critics also raise concerns about Johnson’s quality of life. He acknowledges that romantic relationships may suffer due to his strict routines. Nonetheless, he maintains friendships and finds joy in activities like table tennis.
Johnson’s vision extends beyond his quest for immortality. He plans to offer a simplified version of Blueprint to the public and already sells his brand of olive oil, aiming to make longevity pursuits more accessible.
In essence, Johnson seeks to revolutionize how people approach their health, making it more automated and accessible. While his methods may seem extreme, they echo existing wisdom about healthier living. He highlights the challenge of resisting modern indulgences and suggests technology can help curb our inherent weaknesses.
Johnson’s vision raises the question of whether we can eventually conquer aging. While the complexities of aging have yet to be fully understood, the prospect of extending our lifespan beyond traditional limits is not inconceivable. However, the timeline for achieving this remains to be determined.
For Johnson, the pursuit of longevity is a deeply personal mission. If he can’t achieve his ultimate goal, he humorously says he’d like his demise to be as entertaining as possible for everyone involved.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/14/my-ultimate-goal-dont-die-bryan-johnson-on-his-controversial-plan-to-live-for-ever
[2] https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.co/
[3] https://nypost.com/2023/01/26/tech-mogul-bryan-johnson-ripped-over-his-anti-aging-regimen/
