Jakarta – Bryan Johnson, a 47-year-old tech billionaire, is widely known for his controversial ambition to extend his life to the maximum limit. Spending more than $2 million annually to maintain his youth, Johnson has drawn public attention and frequent criticism.
In a Netflix documentary titled Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, Bryan outlines his extreme lifestyle and poses the question: “Are we the first generation that will not die?” as a form of optimism for achieving ‘immortality.’
Bryan Johnson even founded the Rejuvenation Olympics, a community that uses specialized tests to measure biological aging. With a strict diet, intense exercise, and meticulously controlled sleep patterns, he claims to have slowed his aging rate by 0.64 years per calendar year. This means his body ages only 7.5 months each year.
“I’ve created a new sport: rejuvenas. It’s not just about living longer but about understanding reality in a new way,” Bryan says in the documentary.
Bryan also keeps a leaderboard on his website, where he and his community members compete for the best biomarkers, such as VO2 max (maximum oxygen capacity) and low inflammation levels. However, he is often beaten by his own followers.
Strict Lifestyle and Advanced Technology
Bryan starts his day with the 4×4 workout—exercising at maximum effort for 4 minutes, followed by a 4-minute rest, repeated for an hour. He routinely undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy and takes more than 50 daily supplements.
He even tried a blood transfusion from his teenage son, a practice that sparked significant criticism.
“Look at this chart,” Bryan said, showing his phone during a video interview.
“My maximum heart rate is 189, which shows my biological age is like that of a 31-year-old,” he added.
Bryan’s lifestyle is incredibly disciplined. He abstains from pizza, beer, and late-night social events.
“I’ve never felt happier,” he said.
“Being healthy isn’t a curse. I’ve never met anyone who’s too healthy and complains about it,” he explained.
Controversy and Criticism
Although many praise his dedication, Bryan’s approach has drawn skepticism from the medical community. Many doctors argue that trying various therapies does not necessarily slow aging. Scientists assert that solid research and controlled studies are required, rather than random experiments like Bryan’s.
However, Bryan remains undeterred. To him, building a new system is more logical than fixing an existing one.
“Our current healthcare system only acts when we’re on the brink of death. It’s not preventive or proactive,” he stated.
The ‘Don’t Die’ Ideology
Bryan sees his ambition as more than just extending life—it’s an ideology that combines science, ethics, and technology. With the help of artificial intelligence, he hopes to create a new approach to understanding the human body.
“Don’t Die is political, economic, moral, social, and spiritual. It’s a physics-based ideology that can be implemented by AI,” he claimed.
Inspiration or Delusion?
Chris Smith, the documentary’s director, noted that while Johnson’s lifestyle may seem extreme, its core principles—sleep, healthy eating, and exercise—are accessible to many.
“Johnson is simply at the far end of the spectrum, exploring possibilities,” Smith said.
However, the question remains: Is living longer with such a rigid lifestyle truly worth it? Johnson argues that true happiness comes from optimal health.
“We’re addicted to things that hasten our death. But I just want to give humans the option to live longer and healthier lives,” he advised.
