 "Inside the bizarre ‘Don’t Die’ summit by anti-ageing influencer Bryan Johnson")
Can science slow down ageing? Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson certainly thinks so—and he’s determined to prove it. His ‘Don’t Die Summit’, held at New York’s Javits Center, brought together over 1,500 attendees eager to explore the latest advancements in longevity science and health optimisation.
The Silicon Valley mogul has gained notoriety for his extreme anti-ageing experiments, and he is now inviting others to share in his vision, reported The New York Post.
Earlier this year, Johnson had gained significant attention after he revealed that he had travelled to India to do a podcast with Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath but he had to walk out of the recording mid-way due to poor air quality in New Delhi.
So, what has been the US tech millionaire up to now? Here’s a closer look at what went down at his Don’t Die Summit and Johnson’s ambitious quest to extend the human lifespan.
The Don’t Die Summit
The day’s events featured a longevity park, which is dubbed “longevity Disneyland” by organisers, where attendees had the chance to explore longevity-focused brands, along with various panel discussions.
“Bryan Johnson, what he does and the way he does it, it’s so beautiful, sincere, a little cultish. It has all those ingredients. It has a great narrative,” Alina Bairamova, a creative director who attended the event out of curiosity, told the US publication.
The schedule also included a sing-along, a dance party, and numerous opportunities for attendees to ask questions and receive feedback.
Don’t Die summit in SF: party time, plasma, and Patrick Bateman juices. (And v02 testing) #dontdie pic.twitter.com/HCPQEoraNj
— Zara Stone (@AlmostZara) September 8, 2024
Johnson said that the aim was that everyone would leave with new friends and practical health advice.
“Those who exist in the 25th century, I hope they’ll look back at this moment and say, ‘That was the spark. That’s when humans began to realise something huge was happening. They were on the cusp of superintelligence. Things were changing fast, and they were reimagining what they could become and how long they could live,’” he shared with WWD before the event.
He added, “We want it to be a fun day of dancing, testing, and more, but ultimately, it’s about this bigger moment of what we can achieve as a species.”
Johnson’s brand, Blueprint, also had a booth, providing free resources and selling supplements, snacks, and meals.
At don't die summit!
— AerIn (@aerinykim) January 18, 2025
I def don't hate @bryan_johnson and his food pic.twitter.com/7NLwdZJvEC
The entrepreneur claimed that his Blueprint diet is based on key biomarkers that indicate how a person’s body is functioning. This allows them to tailor a diet and lifestyle plan according to requirements.
Discussions at the summit covered a wide range of topics, from the benefits of detoxes and seed oils to the ideal amount of sleep needed for longevity. Experts also highlighted the importance of exercise routines, balanced nutrition, and regular blood tests to track health improvements and the effectiveness of different treatments.
Johnson’s pursuit to increase the human lifespan
Johnson, a 47-year-old American tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, is best known for founding Braintree, a mobile and web payment platform that was acquired by PayPal for $800 million. However, in recent years, he has made headlines not for his business ventures, but for his radical approach to reversing ageing.
In 2023, Johnson revealed that he spends around $2 million a year in his quest to regain the biological age of an 18-year-old. One of his most controversial methods includes injecting his son’s plasma into his own bloodstream, a practice aimed at slowing down ageing.
His extreme lifestyle choices have also sparked discussions. For instance, he eats his last meal of the day at 11 am. His strict daily regimen starts at 4:30 am with red light therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and consuming several pounds of vegetables—all before finishing two meals by 9 am.
“For those who find this overwhelming, we’ve made it simple. I’ve taken everything I’ve done and turned it into easy, free actions that everyone can do,” Johnson explained at the Don’t Die Summit.
“I want people to be their best selves,” he added. “I hope one day people will see me as more approachable—not this untouchable, eccentric figure, but someone who’s easy to relate to.”
According to Johnson, people from all walks of life—including celebrities and even US Supreme Court judges—have sought his advice on health and longevity.
His journey has been documented in the film Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, and he is now working on a sequel titled _Don’t Die 2.
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Also read:
Quest for Longevity: How a 45-year-old American tech entrepreneur 'reversed' his age
Johnson’s controversial remarks on India’s pollution
Johnson also gained attention when he showed up wearing a face mask, on a podcast with Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath . He said he had to leave the recording due to poor air quality that had caused his “skin to break out in ash” and left his “throat burning”.
“When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. @nikhilkamathcio was a gracious host and we were having a great time. The problem was that the room we were in circulated outside air which made the air purifier I’d brought with me ineffective.”
When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. @nikhilkamathcio was a gracious host and we were having a great time. The problem was that the room we were in circulated outside air which made the air purifier I'd brought with me ineffective.
— Bryan Johnson (@bryan_johnson) February 3, 2025
Inside,… https://t.co/xTkpW567Xv
He further highlighted: “The room’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 130, with PM2.5 levels at 75 µg/m³ — equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes a day.”
He went on to express disbelief at how normalized air pollution seemed, noting, “People would be outside running. Babies and small children exposed from birth. No one wore a mask which can significantly decrease exposure. It was so confusing.”
Later, the millionaire warned Indians to “organise themselves” and said that finding a solution to the poor air quality is far more important for the country’s health than curing cancer.
With input from agencies
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