Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson revealed to Wired that he may sell or shut down his anti-aging startup, Blueprint, labeling it a “pain-in-the-ass company” that conflicts with his philosophical “Don't Die” movement. Known for spending $2 million annually on his Project Blueprint to reverse biological aging, Johnson argues the business undermines his credibility as a longevity philosopher. Despite reports of financial struggles, he insists Blueprint is break-even, with profitable and loss-making months. As #BlueprintShutdown trends on X, the move questions the sustainability of the $610 billion longevity industry, paralleling India's cautious visa thaw with China.
Why Blueprint Faces Uncertainty
-
Philosophical Conflict:
-
Johnson, 47, launched Blueprint to commercialize his regimen, selling products like a $55 “longevity mix” drink and $42 “Super Shrooms” coffee alternative. He now believes the business detracts from his “Don't Die” mission, launched in March 2025, to merge humanity with AI and defy death. He told Wired, “People see the business and give me less credibility on the philosophy side. I will not make that trade-off”.
-
His focus shift aims to position him as a longevity thought leader, not a wellness marketer.
-
-
Financial Realities:
-
A March 2025 New York Times report claimed Blueprint missed its break-even target by $1 million monthly, citing internal documents and employee accounts. Johnson refuted this, stating, “We are break-even, and I've said that publicly many times. We've had profitable months, we've had loss months”. No $4M burn rate or $1.2M revenue is confirmed.
-
No evidence supports discontinued $299/month Longevity Peptides or $250k Age Reversal Retreats with 12 signups.
-
-
Scientific Scrutiny:
-
Johnson's $2 million yearly regimen includes 100+ supplements, vegan diets, and biometric tracking, claiming a 5.1-year biological age reversal, per his January 2025 Netflix documentary Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever. Indian liver specialist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips criticized it as “unscientific” and “potentially harmful,” with no peer-reviewed studies validating claims.
-
No confirmed FDA warning letter in June 2024 or 7 of 12 advisors quitting over “unsafe protocols” is verified. Plasma transfusions from his son, stopped in 2023 for “no benefits,” drew ethical concerns.
-
Blueprint's Controversial Practices
-
Daily Routine: Johnson's 4:30 a.m. regimen, detailed in his Netflix documentary, includes 54 pills, audio and hair therapy, and exercise. No olive oil “slurry” or 1% body fat via dangerous calorie restriction is confirmed.
-
Public Backlash: Plasma transfusions, discontinued in 2023, sparked debate, with X users questioning Blueprint's safety. No Mark Cuban or Peter Thiel quotes or Thiel's $5M withdrawal are verified.
Potential Buyers and Industry Impact
-
No Confirmed Buyers: Speculation about Amazon's PillPack, BioViva, or Neuralink acquiring Blueprint's IP (supplements or tech) lacks evidence. Johnson's February 2025 hiring of a president at $250,000 plus equity suggests a leadership transition, not a sale.
-
Longevity Industry: Valued at $610 billion in 2025, the sector faces skepticism after Blueprint's challenges, with regulatory scrutiny expected for unproven claims. No $600M investment in 2023 is confirmed.
Why This Matters
Unlike Mumbai's landslide urgency, Johnson's pivot impacts 10,000+ Blueprint users and the longevity industry's credibility. His 4 million social media followers amplify his “Don't Die” vision, but X posts like “Blueprint's hype, not science” (@healthskepticX) highlight doubts. The industry must balance personal experiments with scalable, evidence-based models.
What's Next?
Johnson seeks a CEO and CTO to manage Blueprint, with a Q3 2025 decision likely, per his July 15 X post. The longevity market, projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, faces tighter FDA oversight. As #DontDie trends, Johnson's shift to a think-tank role could redefine anti-aging narratives.
