Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson wants to live forever. He spends millions on Blueprint, a system that uses data and algorithms to improve his health and slow his ageing (Photo: Photo: Bryan Johnson/ Instagram)
Cover The tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who has spent millions to improve his health and slow his ageing, spoke virtually at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 (Photo: Bryan Johnson/ Instagram)

Bryan Johnson is on a journey to challenge the concept of death and explore the possibilities of eternal life through cutting-edge science and technology

Imagine if you could live forever. Imagine if you could defy the laws of nature and reverse the effects of ageing. Imagine if you could enhance your brain power and unlock new levels of creativity and intelligence. It sounds like science fiction, right?

But for Bryan Johnson, this is not a fantasy. It is a mission.

Johnson is a billionaire entrepreneur who made his fortune by creating Braintree, a payment platform that powers online transactions for companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Dropbox. He sold Braintree to PayPal for $800 million in 2013.

But Johnson is not interested in spending money on fancy cars, exotic vacations, or lavish parties. He has a different kind of passion: biohacking.

Read more: Bryan Johnson, the tech billionaire biohacking his body and mind in pursuit of immortality

Above Speaking virtually at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023, Bryan Johnson shared about his personal project, Blueprint, which he describes as an “algorithm” for preserving and improving his body and mind, and how he’s spending millions annually on anti-ageing treatments.

Biohacking is the practice of using science and technology to modify or improve one’s biology. Johnson is one of the most prominent and ambitious biohackers in the world. He has invested millions of dollars and hired a team of 30 experts to help him achieve his ultimate goal: to extend his lifespan and enhance his cognitive abilities.

He calls his endeavour “Project Blueprint” and has made it public for anyone who wants to follow his example. He has created a comprehensive protocol that covers every aspect of health and wellness, from diet and exercise to sleep and supplements. He based his protocol on the latest scientific research and updates it regularly as discoveries are made.

“I have spent millions of dollars and the majority of the money has gone to my team of 30 professionals doing extensive research on everything that’s ever been published on health and lifespan,” explained Johnson, who spoke virtually at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 on November 9.

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A summary of Johnson's talk during the Tatler Gen.T Summit (Infographics: Thoth)
Above A summary of Bryan Johnson's talk during the Tatler Gen.T Summit

On the path to immortality

Johnson believes the future holds incredible potential for humanity with advancements in technology and science. He believes that the only significant obstacle in the path of realising this potential is death.

His philosophy is to challenge the assumption of death as an inevitability and instead focus on extending human life as much as possible. He argues that this change in perspective can revolutionise how we approach various aspects of life and society.

He emphasises the importance of data-driven health choices and maintaining a disciplined approach to diet and exercise as a means to improve health and potentially slow down the ageing process.

Read more: 5 quotes on self-worth, mental health and manifesting confidence

Beyond getting four hours of exercise daily and a calorie-strict diet, Johnson places a high value on getting sufficient and high-quality sleep. He adheres to a strict sleep schedule and tracks his sleep quality using wearables.

"Going to bed at 8.30 pm every night and sleeping soundly has transformed my life. I feel happier, more balanced and better able to develop ideas.”

The emphasis on sleep underscores its critical role in overall well-being and cognitive performance. Johnson believes that optimising sleep can have a profound impact on one's ability to think clearly, make better decisions and maintain good mental and physical health.

Through this process, Johnson said he has managed to slow down the ageing process by 31 years.

Sticking to such a strict schedule and diet, one wonders if Johnson is happy going about life in this manner. To this, Johnson responds that he has never been happier before. He stresses that his pursuit of immortality is not out of fear of death but rather an excitement for life.

Despite his rigorous pursuit of longevity, Johnson says he is happier and more fulfilled than ever. He believes living a life dedicated to health and well-being does not mean sacrificing happiness or ambition.

He believes it is possible to be ambitious, achieve great things and lead a fulfilling life while prioritising self-care. Johnson suggests that a positive outlook and a commitment to self-improvement can lead to success and happiness without succumbing to the pressures of unhealthy work habits or lifestyles.

What every entrepreneur should know

His advice to entrepreneurs on how they can take care of themselves and be able to give more to their teams. “As an entrepreneur, you have a lot of responsibility. You make decisions that impact many people and you want to do your best for them and yourself. But you can still achieve great things while taking care of yourself. Here are some tips to help you do that.”

First, prioritise your sleep. “Getting enough sleep every night is essential for your mental and physical health. It helps you think clearly, perform better and feel happier,” he said. That includes not compromising on the quality or quantity of your sleep for anything because it isn’t worth it.

Read more: Pico Iyer on the importance of taking a step back and where his new ideas come from

As an entrepreneur, you make decisions that impact many people and you want to do your best for them and yourself. But you can still achieve great things while taking care of yourself

- Bryan Johnson -

Second, he says entrepreneurs need to eliminate their bad habits. “Identify the behaviours that are harming you or holding you back. Whether it’s overeating, smoking, drinking, or any other addiction, face it and change it. These habits are not only bad for your health but also your confidence and motivation,” he said.

He ends by stating a quote he loves from the French writer, poet and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

Johnson believes the most important thing is to have a clear and compelling vision of where we want to go. When the team shares a common goal that is bigger than themselves, they will naturally work together to achieve it. “We all want to be part of something that matters, lasts and inspires. We all want to earn the respect of our peers. We are not so different after all. So, let’s make our algorithm align with that,” he said.

Above Watch Bryan Johnson's full session at the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 (Videography: C9 Media)

Read more articles from the Tatler Gen.T Summit here.

The Tatler Gen.T Summit is sponsored by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong and MTR Lab, organised in partnership with M+, Regent, Black Sheep and Cathay Pacific and supported by Brand Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tourism Board and InvestHK.

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