Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has taken his quest for eternal life to new heights, investing millions to disrupt the conventional wisdom around aging and health. His methods are laid bare in the new Netflix documentary, Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which chronicles his elaborate routines aimed at rewinding his biological clock.
At 47, Johnson has committed to spending over $2 million annually on his health regimen. His secret? A combination of rigorous daily practices and experimental treatments, known as Project Blueprint. "What else would I spend money on other than life?" he told PEOPLE, underscoring his commitment to longevity. Johnson has reportedly reversed his biological age by over five years and boasts what he describes as "perfect biomarkers"—a reflection of his health status.
The documentary, directed by Chris Smith, follows Johnson closely across 12 months. It reveals his high-stakes lifestyle choices, which include consuming 130 pills daily, working out for over 90 minutes, and undergoing weekly MRIs and skin care treatments. His routine is so intense he even celebrates his birthday only every 19 months instead of the standard yearly occasion.
Johnson's interest in health wasn’t sudden; it grew from personal experiences at the age of 21 during his missionary work in Ecuador, where he first understood the stark realities of poverty. The quest to improve the world evolved over years, culminating after the sale of his company, Braintree Venmo, at the age of 34. Following this transition, he faced significant personal challenges, including depression and divorce, which catalyzed his interest in health and longevity.
Johnson advocates for affordable health improvements accessible to everyone, pushing back against the notion one must spend lavishly to be healthy. He highlights basic habits like sleep and exercise as pivotal. “Sleep is the most powerful drug in existence for anybody,” he asserts, emphasizing its role as the foundation of his health strategies. He suggests the everyday person need not invest heavily, stating, "You do not need to do expensive therapies to achieve good biomarkers. Most of these benefits can be obtained through basic things like sleep, exercise, and eating nutritious diets."
Throughout the documentary, Johnson encounters resistance from established researchers. Dr. Vadim Gladyshev from Harvard bluntly remarks, "It’s not science. It’s just attention," distancing the scientific community from Johnson's ambitious goals. Yet, Johnson maintains his initiative could help amplify public awareness of longevity science, claiming his methods are the beginning of significant personal and possibly public health shifts.
Interestingly, Johnson's family dynamics also feature prominently. His son, Talmage, participates in Project Blueprint alongside him, reflecting their shared commitment to health. Johnson shared, "It's a very strong biological instinct to want the best for your children." Yet, he expresses concern for his other kids, articulately stating, "It breaks my heart" to see them engage with unhealthy food choices.
Johnson's activities and the documentary highlight the stark cultural divides concerning health and lifestyle choices. Many perceive the fractures between living and merely surviving. Johnson almost provocatively calls out these cultural norms, saying, "They think... you can drink with friends and stay up late, and you can eat whatever you want and still feel great. But all these activities accelerate aging and disease progression," reinforcing the challenges he faces from critics who dub him out of touch.
With the spotlight on him growing, Johnson's efforts have blossomed beyond personalization. He has established the Don't Die movement, which has garnered followers globally, fostering community gatherings and health discussions. His latest venture, the Don't Die app, links supporters, providing another platform for his health message to permeate mass culture.
Within this world of biohackers and futurists, Bryan Johnson stands somewhat at odds with the medical establishment, advocating for preventive measures and lifestyle changes over clinical trials. "If I have one dollar to spend, I think creating a global health revolution is much more effective than funding trials," Johnson argues, reiteration of his belief system where lifestyle adjustments are within everyone's reach.
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever is available for streaming on Netflix, granting audiences insights not only about Johnson's quest but also broader discussions about health, aging, and modern well-being practices. The documentary paints him as both visionary and controversial, leaving viewers to ponder the lengths they’re willing to go to chase vitality.