Bryan Johnson, a 46-year-old software millionaire, has made headlines recently for his remarkable journey to improve his posture. Known for his quest to reverse his biological age, Johnson took to social media to reveal how five key habits have helped him make significant changes to his posture. His journey began after receiving an MRI scan that he described as showing a "ticking time bomb of a problem" related to his posture.
I didn't realize how terrible my posture was until an MRI showed it was slowly killing my brain.A ticking time bomb of a problem that I've now dramatically improved with these five habits. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/qPGKiCsDXc
— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) October 10, 2024
In a series of posts, Johnson expressed his shock at the findings of the MRI, stating, "I didn't realize how terrible my posture was until an MRI showed it was slowly killing my brain." According to him, the scan revealed that his posture was restricting blood flow to his brain, which in turn was impacting its circulation to the heart. He articulated the serious risks associated with this issue, wondering aloud whether he might face a seizure or stroke due to his condition. Johnson emphasized that many people might be unknowingly at risk due to similar poor posture habits.
My team and I went on Red Alert.We discovered through an MRI that my posture was trapping blood in my brain, blocking it from flowing properly to my heart. Was I going to have a seizure? A stroke? I didn't know. pic.twitter.com/OcApHd2yeg
— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) October 10, 2024
"Our posture norms are pretty bad," he noted, pointing out common behaviours such as slumping in chairs and looking down at screens for extended periods. Johnson explained that poor posture has become normalized in society, and this can lead to a wide range of negative health consequences. He listed issues such as musculoskeletal pain, circulatory problems, digestive issues, impaired lung function, nerve compression, spinal misalignment, increased stress, fatigue, mood changes, lower motivation, and even sleep disturbances.
In his posts, Johnson shared five habits he adopted to dramatically enhance his posture. First, he introduced a simple mental exercise designed to help people remember to maintain an upright position. Second, he cautioned against the habit of looking down at devices, encouraging individuals to hold their phones at eye level to avoid bending their heads down.
The third habit he recommended was moving every 30 minutes throughout the day. Johnson suggested activities like taking a brisk walk, climbing stairs, stretching, or even dancing. He emphasized that these actions promote better blood flow and provide a necessary reset for one’s posture.
In his subsequent posts, he revealed two exercises specifically aimed at strengthening posture-related muscles. He acknowledged that while building these often-neglected muscles can lead to initial soreness, such discomfort is a sign of progress rather than a setback.
"Improving my posture has been one of the most important things I've done in my wellness efforts at Blueprint," Johnson remarked. He noted that good posture carries a significant psychological impact, stating, "When you stand tall, you exude confidence and self-acceptance."
Moreover, Johnson highlighted the ripple effect that improving one's posture can have on others. He shared that in his family, when someone spots another slouching, they make a "zzzzzip" sound, prompting an instant correction without the need for further discussion.
Johnson, a former Silicon Valley executive, is well-known for his obsession with anti-ageing techniques. He reportedly spends around $2 million annually on medical diagnostics and treatments, coupled with a strict regimen of diet, sleep, and exercise, all aimed at slowing or even reversing the ageing process. Recently, he also shared his success in reversing male pattern baldness and restoring his hair's natural colour within a year. Before this, he underwent a radical "total plasma" exchange aimed at cleansing toxins from his body.