I often get asked what I think of Bryan Johnson’s daily regimen. The question boils down to: “Should I do it? Would it be good for me?”
First, there is no biological free lunch. Every intervention has a price. As Thoreau said, the cost of something is how much of life we exchange for it. What works for you may not work for me.
Bryan Johnson and I violently disagree on peanut butter chocolate, as our payoff diagrams differ significantly. I often remind people that life is short — think of all those who skipped dessert on the last night of the Titanic.
I’ve chosen to allow a suboptimal body fat percentage for this stage of my life, which means I can travel and enjoy family mealtimes — a big priority. I tell myself that too low a body fat percentage is bad for my immune system. Even though I may have made this up, it helps me stay sane.
Making good trade-offs means weighing opportunity costs and benefits against your values. An elaborate morning routine might mean better health but less productive time. A rigorous bedtime ritual could improve sleep quality but weaken social connections.
Those washboard abs come at the price of persistent hunger and being less fun at dinner parties.
Bryan Johnson is delighted with his choices, and I respect his discipline. I hope he’s a great learning scout for all of us. But I like my chocolate way too much.
Wisdom lies in anticipating the consequences of your choices. Success isn’t about having it all — it’s about having what matters most to you. Every choice has a cost. Like gravity, you can’t escape it. Be honest with yourself.
