Hey there, it’s Nick Engerer again, strategic advisor at DoNotAge. If you've read my previous post on what being a strategic advisor means to me, you'll know I'm all about making longevity accessible and exciting. 

In this blog, I want to take you deeper into the personal side of my story. Into the experiences that shaped my passion for healthy aging and ultimately led me to partner with DoNotAge. By focusing on healthspan (the years we live in good health) and prioritizing proactive care, I've transformed my approach to life. I hope sharing this inspires you to make your health a top priority too. Let's get into it, starting with the year that shifted my perspective.

My longevity journey kicked off in 2013, a time when I was young, fit, and feeling invincible. At 27, life gifted me the ultimate high: the birth of my son. I'll never forget the moment of cutting the umbilical cord, hearing his first cry, and watching as his tiny eyes opened to meet ours while his mother and I held him in awe. It was pure, unimaginable joy. 

But in the midst of this celebration, we faced unexpected health challenges that tested our resilience - his mother had a rare form of cancer. Over the next few years, she navigated significant medical hurdles including multiple surgeries and chemotherapy.  Around the same time, two of my closest friends in their late 20s dealt with their own cancer diagnoses. 

Thankfully, advances in modern medicine helped everyone recover fully, and they're all alive today, but with the battle scars. But those experiences etched a deep mark on me, forcing me to confront the importance of prioritizing health before problems arise.

These events opened my eyes to how quickly life can change and underscored the value of healthspan by extending the vibrant, active years rather than just adding time. It motivated me to shift from reactive fixes to proactive strategies, emphasizing that looking after our health isn't optional; it's essential for living fully. As someone who prided myself on being active and healthy, these challenges shattered my illusions and sparked a deeper commitment to preventive care.

As a Ph.D. scientist, I channeled that insight into action, immersing myself in research on healthy aging and disease prevention. I discovered that aging isn't merely about external signs like wrinkles or gray hair, it's the accumulation of cellular damage. And it can begin as early as your 20s. 

Factors like epigenetics, inflammation, and oxidative stress play huge roles, and I started analyzing my own health risk profile. Genetic testing revealed risks, such as a predisposition to age-related macular degeneration from my family history, which I now proactively address with targeted supplements like lutein and zeaxanthin to protect retinal health and maintain my active lifestyle.

But my early forays weren't smooth. In 2018, eager for answers, I spent $5,000 at a high-end longevity clinic in San Diego. They ran every test imaginable, including full genome sequencing, advanced MRIs, comprehensive bloodwork, body scans, and more. The verdict? "You need better cardio." It was a humbling reminder that no amount of money or tech can replace the basics. 

Fast forward to many years later, and I found myself pushing too hard on fitness, business and life challenges, which led to a stress-induced health dip: shingles followed by months of fatigue. 

These setbacks hammered home a key lesson. Namely that longevity isn't about trendy gadgets or expensive interventions. It's a mindset: shifting your perspective to think in decades, prioritizing recovery and resilience, and building a personalized strategy based on your unique risks to maximize healthspan.

This realization birthed my four-part longevity framework: starting with mindset (believing aging isn't destiny and health is a priority), then strategy (identifying risks via family history and genetics), lifestyle (daily habits like exercise and nutrition), and finally technology (tools like supplements). 

It's this approach that's kept my biological age testing in the late 20s to early 30s at 39. I didn’t get here through sheer luck, but through deliberate, evidence-based choices. I rigorously test every intervention, like monitoring my biological age before and after Ca-AKG supplementation to ensure my approach is effective and contributes to sustained energy and vitality.

My deep research into longevity inevitably led me to DoNotAge, a company whose mission (to extend healthy lifespans for as many people as possible!) perfectly aligns with my own goal of helping others prioritize health and maximize their vibrant years. After these early health challenges, I remember feeling motivated to seek straightforward, science-backed options for proactive care. 

DoNotAge delivers exactly that with their range of high-quality supplements. I also am a big believer in NMN, which boosts NAD+ levels essential for cellular energy, metabolism, and DNA repair. I also regularly take collagen peptides, which aid skin health and joint resilience, helping maintain that youthful mobility. Creatine monohydrate is another staple, backed by research for muscle strength and cognitive benefits.

DoNotAge's emphasis on third-party testing and affordability means no more unreliable sourcing or confusing protocols. As an advisor, I'm collaborating to refine their offerings, ensuring they empower you to tackle your specific needs. 

Looking ahead, the longevity future is here and accelerating. Each year unveils new diagnostics, molecules, and therapies targeting aging's root causes. DoNotAge stays at the cutting edge, curating these for you so you can remain healthy enough to reap tomorrow's rewards (think advanced epigenetics or senescence-reversing treatments!). 

My role? Bridging that complex science with practical guidance, just as I've done in my own journey to prioritize healthspan. Let's turn everyday choices into a foundation for extended healthspan and thriving lives.

I’m glad you’re here. 

Live long!

Nick Engerer