Bryan Johnson Contemplates Future of Anti-Aging Startup Blueprint
Bryan Johnson, the biotech entrepreneur renowned for his bold pursuit of eternal youth, recently revealed his intention to potentially sell or wind down his anti-aging startup, Blueprint. In an interview with Katie Drummond at Wired, Johnson expressed his concerns about balancing his entrepreneurial endeavors with his recent venture into spiritual realms.
Johnson’s Bold Anti-Aging Journey
At 47, Johnson has become a notable figure in the anti-aging community. His ambitious program, Project Blueprint, which he launched in 2021, reportedly costs him around $2 million annually. This project involves an array of health and wellness products designed to enhance longevity. Offerings include:
- A $55 longevity mix drink
- A $42 mushroom coffee alternative branded as "Super Shrooms"
In a particularly controversial experiment, Johnson even infused himself with his son’s blood for six months in hopes of slowing his aging process, but later halted this practice after finding "no benefits detected."
Separate Ventures: Anti-Aging Business and Spirituality
In March, Johnson took a significant step by announcing the creation of his own religion, titled "Don’t Die." The name originates from the slogan he used for his Netflix documentary, as well as various products and events he has hosted. Johnson’s philosophy centers around his belief that humanity can merge with artificial intelligence to ensure survival, a vision he summarized in a recent post on social media platform X:
“Years ago, I did a thought experiment imagining myself in the presence of people from the 25th century… Don’t Die is how humanity saved itself.”
However, Johnson has begun to recognize the challenges of managing a company focused on longevity while simultaneously promoting a philosophy centered on the same topic. He candidly told Drummond:
“Honestly, I am so close to either shutting it down or selling it… I don’t need the money, and it’s a pain-in-the-ass company.”
The Challenges and Future of Blueprint
Johnson initially launched Blueprint at the request of friends seeking the health supplements he consumed. However, he notes a shift in public perception:
"The problem is now people see the business and give me less credibility on the philosophy side. I will not make that trade-off. It is not worth it to me."
Despite facing financial scrutiny, with reports indicating the company was missing its break-even point by over $1 million monthly earlier this year, Johnson reassures stakeholders that Blueprint is not in a dire financial situation. He clarified:
“We are break-even, and I’ve said that publicly many times. We’ve had profitable months, we’ve had loss months.”
Financial Background
A recent article in The New York Times outlined the financial difficulties Blueprint has encountered, citing insights from employees and internal documents. Johnson, however, maintains an optimistic outlook, emphasizing the company’s overall financial health.
Conclusion
As Bryan Johnson reflects on the future operations of Blueprint, he stands at a crossroads, weighing the responsibilities of business against his growing interest in spiritual endeavors. Whether he chooses to continue with Blueprint or pivot entirely remains to be seen, but his commitment to longevity and innovative health practices continues to captivate both supporters and skeptics alike.
For more insights into anti-aging and related technologies, explore Blueprint and check out other innovations in the field of longevity.
