My Journey Through Longevity

?

As my two-year journey with a longevity-focused company (Biolytica) draws to a close, I've been doing some reflecting. My career has taken me through a variety of fields, from finance to mobile gaming and everywhere in between, each bringing its own set of experiences and connections. But it's in the realm of longevity that I've found a strong desire to continue exploring.

?

Initially, I was quite skeptical about the field. It sounded a bit of a cross between rich people wanting to live longer and a bunch of snake oil. However, my perspective has shifted significantly. Here are some personal takeaways from my journey:

?

1. Technology could play a massive role in helping the individual, but not yet:

?While technology holds immense potential in personal health, we're not quite there yet. The advice from medical professionals can often be generic and hard to follow. My experiences with wearable devices like the Samsung Watch, Withings Scale, and Oura Ring have shown me that while they provide some insights, they still have limitations and are quite limited in scope.

?

2. The Fish Test: One personal test I use for evaluating health advice is what I call "The Fish Test." Given my dietary restrictions to virtually anything that lives in the water, any recommendation to eat fish is immediately dismissed. This highlights the importance of personalized advice and the responsibility to not recommend things that will cause harm or be a waste of time and money.

?

?

3. Individual Focus, I am not a lazy loser: The key to effective health recommendations is tailoring them to the individual. Generic advice like walking a certain number of steps or eating specific foods isn't always realistic and can be demotivating if every app you use is essentially calling you a loser for not being able to perform certain tasks.? There are things I am just not going to do, I am not going to run, I am not going to become vegan or vegetarian, I am not ?going to stop drinking completely, and I am sure there are others.? That said, there are many things I am willing to do.?? I used to drink 2 to 5 cans of soda a day, now I drink 1 every few months.?? I have started intermittent fasting, I am working on an exercise routine.?? I will do more beyond that, but what I have done is due to the input of good old fashioned human beings that I can have a conversation with

?

4. Data Overload : With the massive amount of data from wearables and various tests, it's impossible for the average person to make sense of it all and difficult for professionals. There's a need for tools that can translate this information into actionable insights that are customized and achievable when factoring in people have lives to lead, work, family, friends, and interests. ?It is confusing and contradictory, which number do I believe, which advice do I follow, and what is most important.

?

?

5. Human Interaction, no AI doctors yet: Despite the advancements in technology, nothing can replace the value of a conversation with a real person. It's through these discussions that I've been able to make meaningful changes to my health routine. I can explain my likes and dislikes, I can explain my goals, , I can explain my limitations (physical, lifestyle, time, etc), and we can talk through things and come up with good plans and things to try.

?

6. Mental Health, Missing in Action: The mental health aspect of longevity is often overlooked but is crucial. A holistic approach that addresses both physical and mental well-being is essential.? This aspect is often vastly overlooked in all but specialized applications, which then mostly leave out the physical aspects.?

?

As I look to the future, I'm not entirely sure what's next, but I know I want it to be in the field of longevity. It's not just a fascinating technical and data area, but it also offers a way to make a positive impact on society and support a healthcare system dealing with an aging population.? I want to leave a mark and make people’s lives longer and better.

?

If you share a passion for longevity and have ideas to move this industry forward, please reach out. Let's collaborate and make a difference!