Founder interview: Dr. Michael Lustgarten, Founder and Scientist at Conquer Aging or Die Trying!
In our Founder Interview series, we highlight the brightest minds in preventive health, wellness, and longevity. In Episode 8, we’re honored to feature Dr. Michael Lustgarten, founder and scientist at Conquer Aging or Die Trying!—a leading voice in evidence-based strategies to slow aging and extend healthspan.Tell us a little about yourself and your current ventureMy name is Michael Lustgarten. I earned my PhD in Physiology in 2009, and until 2025, I worked as a university-level research scientist leading studies aimed at optimizing the gut-muscle axis in older adults.In mid-2025, I left my primary academic appointment (Assistant Professor), and transitioned to full-time on YouTube/Patreon, and consulting with clients and companies focused on health/longevity optimization.In terms of my current venture, what if we could discover our own personal recipe (diet, supplements, exercise, sleep, room temperature, humidity, air quality, etc) for optimizing health, and potentially, longevity?How can we do that?By collecting data, lots of data, and looking at correlations to see what might be best. The recipe can't be discovered from one or a few tests, but years of collection....How do you balance the demands of running a business while maintaining your own health and longevity?The business ("Conquer Aging or Die Trying!") is central to my health and longevity, they're connected.Do you have a personal health goal? What is it? To live longer than everyone that has ever lived (122y).Before launching Conquer Aging or Die Trying!, can you walk us through the “aha” moment that inspired the creation of your service?About 20y ago, I read a book about calorie restriction and biomarkers ("Beyond the 120 Year Diet"), and thought, "this is the way".Aging and disease are biochemical processes that happen over decades-if we track and optimize that, we can potentially reduce disease risk, maximize health, slow aging, and extend lifespan.What sets Conquer Aging or Die Trying! apart in the health and wellness industry?While almost everyone is focused on purported longevity-promoting interventions, few are actually tracking objective biomarkers to see if they work or not. Evaluating whether an intervention works can't happen with 1 or 2 tests, but many, i.e. 5-10 baseline, and 5-10 per intervention. I hope to inspire others to test, track, interpret, and repeat!What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned from your customers or users?No surprises! There isn't a 1-size-fits-all approach, but I know that going in.What is the most groundbreaking or unexpected finding in the field of longevity research that you’ve come across recently, and why do you find it so compelling?Companies with direct-to-consumer technology, as it's strting to bypass the traditional model of having to ask your PCP for test orders. Then, optimizing health is in our own hands!In your opinion, which emerging longevity trend or product will have the most transformative impact on our health over the next five years, and why?Objective biomarker tracking and optimization, rather than the hope that supplements will bring youth (without objective data at the individual levelt hat supports its efficacy). Also, AI as a part of this process, to help decipher the recipe.One thing you wish more people knew about health and longevity?That we don't have to wait for studies in others, or rely on studies in animal models to guide health-we can test ourselves, and often, to discover our own personal recipe!What is the biggest longevity myth you’d like to debunk?All interventions can be rubbish-the only way to know is to test, and that's what I promote-don't assume that supplements, or other interventions (red light/sauna/cold plunge, etc) work, look at the objective data (biomarkers). Is it (or are they) a net positive, neutral, or detrimental?If you could recommend only one supplement for a longer, healthier life, which would it be, and what makes it indispensable?It's not a supplement-achieving optimal body composition and fitness are atop the list.What resources (books, podcasts, mentors) have been most valuable in your entrepreneurial journey?Beyond The 120 yr Diet, then lots of textbooks (Biochemistry B.A, Physiology PhD) and published papers (to determine what's optimal for 35 + biomarkers). The reference range wasn't designed with the intention of longevity, in contrast.If there’s one message or insight you’d like readers to take away from your journey, what would it be?Track, test, and oftenAdditionally, F-around, Find-out, i.e. include an intervention, what does the data show? Modify/alter the intervention, collect more data, and continue until you've discovered the approach that best optimizes health (and potentially, longevity).
