Tech entrepreneur and founder of Braintree Bryan Johnson has devoted the rest of his life and resources to the quest for beating death after selling his payment systems company to PayPal for $800 million. His journey is now the subject of a documentary from Netflix, Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, directed by Chris Smith. The documentary, set for release on January 1, 2025, offers a look at Johnson as he tries to reverse his aging with science.
Bryan Johnson invests millions of dollars annually in "Project Blueprint," an exceedingly disciplined regimen. Every day, he pops more than 100 pills, follows a very strict vegan diet, works out heavily, and undergoes various experimental treatments, including gene editing and plasma transfusions.
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever also showcases the controversial methods of Johnson and the broader implications of his pursuit of immortality.
Who is Bryan Johnson from The Man Who Wants to Live Forever?
Bryan Johnson is a tech entrepreneur deeply involved in "Project Blueprint," an ambitious initiative aimed at reversing the aging process and enhancing longevity. Johnson has shared insights into his anti-aging endeavors on various platforms, including the Rich Roll Podcast, where he discussed his biohacking blueprint.
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever delves into his quest for longevity and the methods he employs. Regarding his personal life, Johnson has been involved in experimental procedures with family members, including plasma transfusions with his father and teenage son, though he later reported no significant benefits from these practices.
Bryan Johnson was born on August 22, 1977, in Provo, Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in International Studies and later earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Professionally, Johnson launched three startups between 1999 and 2003. The first startup sold cell phones and helped pay his way through Brigham Young University. He also started two other businesses: Inquist, a VoIP company, and a real estate project, both of which did not achieve long-term success.
In 2007, he founded Braintree, a mobile and web payment system company that acquired Venmo and was later sold to PayPal for $800 million. Following the sale of Braintree, Johnson founded the OS Fund in 2014, investing $100 million of his capital to support entrepreneurs working on scientific breakthroughs.
In 2016, he launched Kernel, investing another $100 million to develop advanced neural interfaces aimed at expanding human cognition.
What is Project Blueprint?
Project Blueprint, developed by Bryan Johnson, is a comprehensive health optimization protocol aimed at reversing biological aging and enhancing overall well-being. The regimen includes precise dietary plans, structured exercise routines, and meticulous lifestyle habits.
Diet and nutrition:
Bryan Johnson's daily intake is meticulously planned, totalling approximately 1,977 calories. His diet is predominantly plant-based, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods. A typical day includes:
- Morning Beverage: A "Green Giant" smoothie, rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients.
- First Meal: "Super Veggie" dish, comprising a variety of vegetables to ensure a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
- Second Meal: "Nutty Pudding," a blend of nuts and seeds providing healthy fats and proteins.
- Third Meal: Varies daily but consistently includes vegetables, nuts, seeds, and berries.
This dietary regimen is designed to deliver optimal nutrition while maintaining caloric restriction, a practice associated with longevity.
Exercise routine:
Johnson engages in daily physical activity tailored to promote cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. His regimen includes:
- Aerobic Exercises: Such as running or cycling to enhance heart health.
- Resistance Training: To build and maintain muscle mass.
- Flexibility and Mobility Work: Including stretching and yoga to improve range of motion and prevent injuries.
The exercise program is adjusted based on continuous monitoring of his physiological metrics to ensure effectiveness and prevent overtraining.
Lifestyle habits:
Key lifestyle components of Project Blueprint include:
- Sleep Hygiene: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, optimizing the sleep environment, and ensuring adequate rest to support recovery and cognitive function.
- Intermittent Fasting: Consuming all meals within a specific time window, typically 6-8 hours, to promote metabolic health.
- Supplementation: A personalized regimen of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds to address specific health needs and deficiencies.
Bryan Johnson's approach is data-driven, involving regular monitoring of biomarkers and physiological parameters to assess the impact of his regimen and make necessary adjustments. The goal of Project Blueprint is to achieve the health metrics of an 18-year-old across various organ systems, effectively reversing the biological aging process.
Catch Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever on Netflix on January 1, 2024.