Bryan Johnson's advice to monk mode founders: neglecting relationships hurts your work
Tammy Horton for Nikki Ritcher
- Bryan Johnson says founders in monk mode may be overlooking what can help them perform at their best.
- Having strong relationships can be beneficial for mental and physical health, he said.
- Good health translates to good work, the longevity enthusiast said.
Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur and longevity influencer, says founders in "monk mode" risk getting in their own way.
Speaking to Zak Jason, the executive editor of the Discourse team, during Business Insider's The Long Play event on Tuesday in San Francisco, Johnson pushed back on the idea that having a sex life is a distraction. The longevity enthusiast said it can actually make founders better at their jobs.
"No one wants to write a shitty code base. You want healthy code. And so, what founders don't realize is, when you're not taking care of your health, you are shitty code. You are not beautiful code," he said.
"Sometimes it takes a bit for them to realize that, but a good partnership is really beneficial for mental health and physical health," he added.
This is especially so at a time when many people are grappling with mental health challenges.
"We have not created a culture of health, and it's hurting everybody," Johnson said.
"Monk mode" is a productivity trend popular in tech and entrepreneurial circles. The idea is to adopt monk-like discipline by eliminating distractions — like dating and social media — to focus on work.
Johnson is focused on slowing his biological aging and extending his life. He launched Blueprint in 2021, an antiaging venture built around his own tightly-managed health routine, which he says costs around $2 million a year to maintain.
He previously made headlines for infusing himself with his son's blood but said he stopped after not seeing any benefits.
Since then, Johnson has founded the Don't Die movement, which has drawn a community focused on longevity and health optimization. In February, he launched "Immortals," offering three people the chance to replicate his antiaging program for $1 million.