'Living in poverty changed me': Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson opens up to Nikhil Kamath on life, longevity and human ambition

Tech millionaire and founder of the 'Don't Die' movement, Bryan Johnson, has been making waves in India after appearing on Nikhil Kamath's podcast. Known for his entrepreneurial success and extreme, data-driven approach to longevity, Johnson gained widespread attention for his unconventional lifestyle. During his conversation with Kamath, he shared insights into his upbringing, his obsession with extending human life, and his experiences in India.

A Childhood Shaped by Poverty

Johnson revealed that his journey towards longevity was deeply influenced by his early life. He recounted growing up in a middle-to-low-income family with a single mother raising five children. His perspective on life changed dramatically when, at the age of 19, he travelled to Ecuador as a missionary and lived in poverty for two years.

"I felt so moved by the difference between what I had in the U.S. and the poverty I saw there," he said. "I wanted to do something that benefitted the human race."

This experience shaped his outlook, leading him to pursue a non-traditional path. "You are a Mormon, you do life in a standard way, or you carve out your own path. I thought that's cool. Ecuador was omnipresent in my mind," he said.

The Obsession with Longevity

Claiming to be the most measured human in history, Johnson asserts that he has the "best comprehensive biomarkers" in the world. His goal was simple: make a significant amount of money by the age of 30 and then dedicate himself to something meaningful for humanity. His mission became extending human lifespan using rigorous data analysis.

Walking Out of Kamath’s Podcast

Despite his enthusiasm for discussing longevity, Johnson grabbed the headlines in India for walking out of Kamath’s podcast midway due to poor air quality inside the room. He later explained on social media that the space was circulating outside air, rendering the air purifier he had brought ineffective.

Reacting to a tweet by former journalist Ravi Prakash Kumar, Johnson confirmed his decision: "I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality." Kumar had noted that Johnson, despite wearing an N95 mask during the shoot at a five-star hotel, left midway due to an AQI of around 120.

Johnson elaborated, saying that the indoor AQI was 130, with PM2.5 levels at 75 µg/m³—equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes over 24 hours. "This was my third day in India, and the air pollution had made my skin break out in a rash, and my eyes and throat burn," he said.

Criticism of India’s Air Quality

Johnson expressed concern over how normalised air pollution had become in India. "People were outside running. Babies and small children are exposed from birth. No one wore a mask, which can significantly decrease exposure. It was so confusing," he said.

He also pointed out research indicating that improving air quality in India could yield more health benefits than curing all cancers. "I am unsure why India's leaders do not make air quality a national emergency. I don't know what interests, money, and power keep things the way they are, but it's really bad for the entire country," he said.

Comparing Air Pollution to Obesity in the U.S.

Upon returning to the U.S., Johnson said he noticed a different but equally concerning issue—obesity. "I saw obesity everywhere. 42.4% of Americans are obese, and because I was around it all the time, I had been mostly oblivious to it," he said. He argued that, in some contexts, obesity is even more dangerous than air pollution over the long term.

"Why wouldn’t American leaders declare a national emergency on obesity? What interests, money, and power keep things the way they are but are really bad for the entire country?" he questioned.

The Podcast Moment

During the podcast, which was published on February 2, 2024, Johnson asked Kamath within the first five minutes if he could wear his mask due to air quality concerns. Comparing it to New York’s air, he remarked: "It's good throughout the U.S. I feel it burns my lungs and my throat, and I also know these levels of pollutants wreak havoc on the body."

When asked if his extreme attention to health made life difficult, Johnson responded: "In many ways, it's easier because the algorithm makes decisions for you."

Reacting to the buzz the latest WTF podcast has created online, Nikhil Kamath's brother and Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath tweeted, saying the biggest takeaway for him after meeting Johnson was "debunking the myth" he once believed: that only Delhi in India has an air quality problem—and that it occurs only in winter.

Johnson's visit to India has sparked discussions on air pollution, longevity, and the extent to which environmental factors shape public health—conversations that are likely to persist long after his departure.