Youngevity

Longevity is having its moment, thanks to the growing influence of thought leaders like Bryan Johnson, Peter Attia, and Andrew Huberman. Yet, it’s an unfortunate term, often misunderstood and criticized. For many, it seems like a futile and even vain fight against death, a sacrifice of the present day for questionable benefits in the far-off future, or dragging out life into decades riddled with frailty, dependence, and pain. It’s a PR problem for what is actually an essential and transformative idea.

The real goal of this movement isn’t about living longer or defying death. It’s about staying younger and healthier, and reaping the benefits now. Our physical health peaks in our late 20s and begins to decline after 30. Staying younger means maintaining vitality, lucidity, resilience, and avoiding disease and pain every day. It’s less about stretching life to 120 and more about feeling 25—even at 30, 50, or beyond. 

Living longer and staving off death are simply side effects of staying young and healthy. Being young also makes you want to live longer. The dread many people feel about “eternal life” isn’t really about living per se—it’s about fearing decades of suffering, disease, and decline that often define aging.

I prefer we call it “Youngevity” instead! It may not roll off the tongue as smoothly as longevity, or be as captivating as “Don’t Die,” but it’s far more apt and agreeable. Who wouldn’t want to wake up daily feeling strong, clear-headed, and energetic? 

The real question isn’t whether Youngevity is desirable but whether it’s possible—and at what cost. Admittedly, aging is a complex and multifaceted process. Scientists are only beginning to understand why our cells and organs degrade over time. This complexity has left room for misinformation and opportunistic snake oil salesmen. And let’s be honest: looking at figures like Bryan Johnson, it’s easy to wonder whether longevity requires all-consuming sacrifice—of enjoyment, time, and money.

But here’s the good news: I think the Pareto principle applies here. 80 percent of the benefits come from a handful of well-understood, actionable interventions. Bryan Johnson may be pioneering the extreme edges, but the rest of us don’t need to treat our lives like lab experiments. We can focus on the foundational pillars: prioritizing sleep, maintaining a consistent exercise routine, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and cultivating mental well-being.

Adopting these habits doesn’t consume your life; it enhances your ability to savor it, with a sharper mind, better energy, and reduced stress. Interestingly, as you engage in healthy habits and shed dependencies on unhealthy and seemingly enjoyable pleasures like sugar, excessive screen time, or staying up late, you end up preferring the healthy path more.

In conclusion, Youngevity isn’t about fearing death or optimizing for a distant future. It’s about embracing healthy, preventative practices now and enjoying the benefits of feeling youthful daily. In our lifetimes, we’re likely to see giant advancements in our understanding of aging and health. By committing to staying younger now with the current science, you’ll be better positioned to reap the rewards of future breakthroughs—and enjoy the fascinating unfolding of your own lives and the universe for decades to come.