The Future of Longevity: Investing in the Health Behind the Business

Your business depends on one asset that no one else can replace: you.

Every founder understands the importance of investing in the assets that drive a business forward. But at The Future of Longevity, EO Melbourne members were challenged to consider whether they give the same attention to the asset that makes everything else possible: their own health.

Presented with Strategic Alliance Partner Everlab, the event brought together Dr Steven Lu, Dr Jason Chen and Marieke Rodenstein for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about preventative health, performance and what it really means to invest in longevity.

Dr Steven Lu opened the session with a confronting statistic: the average Australian spends 13.9 years of life in poor health, placing Australia behind comparable OECD countries. It was a powerful reminder that not being sick does not necessarily mean being healthy — and that waiting for something to go wrong is a poor strategy for protecting one of our most valuable assets.

His message was to shift from reactive healthcare to proactive prevention. Just as entrepreneurs use data to understand and manage their businesses, they can apply the same mindset to their health: understand the risks, gather the right data and build a strategy around it. Advances in genetic testing, cardiac imaging and AI-assisted diagnostics are making this level of personalised health increasingly accessible, giving people the opportunity to identify potential risks before they become problems.

From there, Marieke Rodenstein brought the conversation back to the fundamentals. Data is not health, she reminded members, and no supplement or advanced intervention can compensate for foundations that have been neglected.

Sleep, light, movement, nutrition, recovery and connection remain essential to how our bodies function. Marieke also highlighted the importance of social connection, with social isolation carrying a mortality risk comparable to low cardiorespiratory fitness. Her advice was refreshingly practical: look at the environment around you and consider what behaviours you have made normal. Rather than attempting to change everything at once, make one meaningful improvement each week. Over time, those small changes can add up to a very different trajectory.

The conversation then moved into one of the more talked-about areas of longevity: peptides and emerging treatments. Dr Jason Chen cut through some of the hype, explaining that peptides themselves are nothing new — insulin, for example, is a peptide — but that the evidence behind newer compounds varies significantly, with parts of the market still operating in grey areas.

His message was not to chase the next breakthrough, but to understand what the data actually means and, importantly, who is interpreting it. As health testing and emerging treatments become increasingly accessible, having the expertise to make sense of the information becomes just as important as having access to it.

Dr Chen encouraged members to focus first on fundamentals such as inflammation, metabolism and immunity, and to test consistently so that health data can be viewed as part of a bigger picture rather than as isolated results. He closed with a question that stayed with the room: Who do you trust with the version of you that doesn’t yet exist?

The event brought the conversation back to a simple truth. Entrepreneurs spend years building businesses designed to create long-term value, but the ability to enjoy that success depends on having the health and capacity to be there for it.

The Future of Longevity encouraged members to think differently about that investment — moving from reactive healthcare to proactive prevention, strengthening the foundations of everyday health and becoming more informed about the rapidly evolving world of longevity.

How busy entrepreneurs can stay healthy

Entrepreneurs are busy people who have so many things going on in their day-to-day schedules. More often, they devote a lot of time and effort into their business that they tend to push health into the background unintentionally.

Every business person may have a different lifestyle and stress management method, but many of them share a common ground – they absorb a lot of pressure from various directions. Because of their enthusiasm and passion for work, they end up doing more than they can manage, sitting in meetings or on their desk all day working on ideas or challenges, skipping meals or distorting their eating routine, and losing sleep along the way. All these may result in poor health conditions.

But with people depending on them, such as their families, staff, and clients, business owners cannot afford to be sick. A sudden change in lifestyle may be drastic. However, they can take small steps and simple actions that can lead to a healthier way of life.

1.) Exercise your body

When you’re in front of your computer for most of the day, or even if you’re on a plane or travelling for business, you can still do some exercises wherever you are. You can stretch your muscles, take short walks, or change your position every hour or so. The internet is a rich resource of simple exercises that you can do at home or in your office. Choose exercises that you find suitable for you and follow them. Once you inject this in your daily routine, allot some time to hit the gym or jog in the morning.

2.) Take a break – short ones and a vacation

Don’t forget to take short breaks from work every day. Have one in the morning and another in the afternoon, not counting your lunch time. If you spend too much time cooped inside your office or workstation, allow some time to open and look out the window or go outside for some air. It does not only do good to your respiratory system, but it can also clear your mind and help you focus.

And every year, reward yourself with a vacation, where you can recharge and rejuvenate. It’s good to take some time away from work once in a while. The change of environment can do some wonders, especially if you spend it with people you love.

3.) Eat right and on schedule

You’re in a rush, so you skipped breakfast and went straight to work. There are plenty of documents to review, meetings to attend, and decisions to make. Before you know it, you missed your lunch. Or, you ate dinner very late at night. To be effective at work, you have to nourish your body. Eat the right kind of food and have a balanced diet. Also, keep a regular schedule for your meals.

4.) Sleep right

Too much excitement or worry can often cause sleepless nights. With a lack of rest or sleep, it can affect one’s body adversely. Effective time management will allow you to allocate six to eight hours for sleep each day, keeping you alert and energetic for the rest of the day. When your body clamours that it’s too tired, take a nap or simply take some rest.

5.) Interact with friends and loved ones

Have a friendly chat with your teammates at work, go out with friends after office, join organisations like EO Melbourne, or spend time with people who make you happy. Studies and researches were conducted indicating that social interaction has positive effects on one’s health. Surround yourself with people who can enhance your creativity, positivity and energy so that you can channel these back to your life and your business.

6.) Do something you enjoy

Go to a spa, get a massage, join a marathon, play your favourite sport, play with your kids, read a book, listen to music, cook a meal, take a swim, or learn a new hobby. Do an activity that will not only boost your energy but will also bring joy to yourself. When you enjoy what you do, you will be keen to make it part of your regular habit, and you look forward to doing it more often.

As the year comes to a close and a new year is about to begin, it is best to review your lifestyle and plan how to steer it towards healthier living. Put wellness as an important part of your life and entrepreneurial journey. Most of all, do it with people you love to motivate you to keep going.