Bryan Johnson, a prominent tech entrepreneur and longevity influencer, has publicly criticised the 'monk mode' productivity trend popular among startup founders. Speaking at Business Insider's The Long Play event in San Francisco, Johnson argued that eliminating personal relationships to focus solely on work is counterproductive and damaging to health.
In a conversation with Zak Jason, executive editor of the Discourse team, Johnson stated that a healthy partnership is beneficial for both mental and physical well-being. He framed the issue in terms familiar to the tech industry, comparing an unhealthy founder to flawed software. "No one wants to write a shitty code base. You want healthy code. And so, what founders don't realise is, when you're not taking care of your health, you are shitty code," Johnson said.
The Critique of 'Monk Mode'
'Monk mode' is a discipline-focused trend where individuals, particularly in tech and entrepreneurial circles, seek to eliminate distractions like dating and social media to maximise work output. Johnson directly challenged this philosophy, pushing back on the idea that having a sex life is a distraction. "Sometimes it takes a bit for them to realise that, but a good partnership is really beneficial for mental health and physical health," he added.
He contextualised his advice within a broader cultural failing, stating, "We have not created a culture of health, and it's hurting everybody." His comments come at a time when mental health challenges are widely reported within high-pressure industries like technology and venture capital.
Johnson's Longevity Ventures
Bryan Johnson, 46, is the founder of Blueprint, an anti-ageing venture launched in 2021 that is built around his own meticulously managed health regimen. He claims the programme costs approximately $2 million per year to maintain. His extreme biohacking experiments have previously made headlines, including an attempt to slow ageing by infusing himself with his son's plasma, a practice he says he discontinued after seeing no benefits.
Since then, Johnson has founded the 'Don't Die' movement, cultivating a community focused on health optimisation. In February 2025, he launched "Immortals," an initiative offering three people the chance to replicate his anti-ageing protocol for a fee of $1 million each.
Broader Implications for Founder Culture
Johnson's remarks contribute to an ongoing debate about sustainable work practices in Silicon Valley and global startup ecosystems. The glorification of relentless work hours and personal sacrifice has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, with growing awareness of founder burnout.
By linking relational health directly to professional performance, Johnson's argument seeks to reframe personal well-being not as a luxury or distraction, but as a foundational component of entrepreneurial success. His high-profile platform ensures the critique reaches an audience of founders and investors who may prioritise business growth over holistic health.