I recently read a story in the NY Post about a 45-year-old man who spends two million dollars annually to regain his youth. His name is Bryan Johnson. He made his fortune in his 30s by selling his payment processing company, Braintree Payment Solutions, to eBay for $800 million in cash. Johnson now invests $2 million a year in a project called Project Blueprint to maintain his youth. His routine involves a strict vegan diet, daily and high-intensity exercise, a regimented sleep schedule, and extensive medical monitoring by a team of 30 experts. His goal is to rejuvenate his organs to a youthful state, and his regimen has reportedly given him the heart of a 37-year-old, the skin of a 28-year-old, and the lung capacity of an 18-year-old.
I am not one to dictate how others should spend their money. If someone has earned it, even $800 million, they are entitled to use it as they wish, provided it doesn’t harm others. However, in a world where many people and institutions are in need of support, I find it difficult to justify spending $2 million annually on a team of 30 doctors and regenerative health experts just to bio-hack my biological clock.
For me, exercise and healthy eating have always been the true “fountain of youth.” I believe that by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising, one can slow down the aging process, boost energy levels, tighten skin, and enhance self-confidence and self-esteem. Is that worth $2 million? Certainly, but achieving these benefits doesn’t require such an extravagant expenditure.
In addition to his team of 30 doctors, Johnson wakes up every morning at 5 am, takes two dozen supplements, works out for an hour, drinks green juice with creatine and collagen peptides, and brushes and flosses his teeth while rinsing with tea-tree oil and antioxidant gel. Before bedtime, he wears blue light-blocking glasses for two hours. He continuously monitors his vital signs and undergoes monthly medical procedures, including ultrasounds, MRIs, colonoscopies, and blood tests, to maintain his results. While sleeping, Johnson uses a machine to count nighttime erections and takes daily measurements of his weight, body mass index, body fat, blood glucose levels, and heart-rate variations.
In my experience, intermittent fasting, healthy eating, high-intensity interval training, and proper rest are sufficient to turn back the clock. Combined with a positive mental attitude, these practices can achieve youthful vitality without breaking the bank.
Reading the article made me wonder what I would do with $2 million available for good use. Here’s what I came up with:
Share my wealth with family and friends.
Fund scholarships for underprivileged students.
Support educational institutions or build schools in underserved areas.
Donate to medical research or hospitals.
Invest in affordable housing projects.
Donate to not-for-profit organizations, like mine, focused on improving children’s health in underserved areas.
Support initiatives aimed at eradicating hunger and poverty.
Support animal rescue organizations and shelters.
Fund mental health awareness campaigns and support groups.
This is my list of worthy causes I would gladly support rather than spending on myself, especially when I know it doesn’t take that amount of money to find the fountain of youth—just good, old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise. While this might not guarantee I will live to be 100 or beyond, it does ensure that my years will be filled with good health, allowing me to enjoy whatever time I have left with my family and friends.
Speaking of family and friends, the article didn’t mention a social life for Bryan Johnson. With all he is doing, I can’t imagine he has much time to connect with loved ones.
What about you? What would you do with $2 million? Would you spend it on trying to look your best or impress others? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
As you well stated, a person should be able to do whatever they want to with their earnings. His desire to live a long healthy life is commendable, however this sounds obsessive and extreme. The constant looking and monitoring…. Usually beneath such extreme measures is fear. Health and wellness incorporates not only physical, but mental, emotional and spiritual balance as well. Negative emotions such as fear, anger, grief, jealousy, etc., can have an equally devastating impact on one’s health as the physical diagnosis he appears to be running from. Is there any joy, passion, love, comradery or sharing in his well regimented life?? If not, is he really healthy??
Well said, Skai, “is he really healthy,” The jury is still out on that one.