“At 39, tech mogul Pavel Durov seems to have found the fountain of youth, appearing a decade younger with every public appearance”
The Russian-born billionaire, known for founding VKontakte and Telegram, follows a disciplined lifestyle that has left many wondering how he maintains his youthful looks. The answer lies in six strict rules that Durov adheres to religiously.
1. No Alcohol: Durov has sworn off alcohol for over a decade, considering it the most important rule in his regimen. He believes that alcohol, like other addictive substances, deteriorates health and accelerates aging. While he may make rare exceptions, Durov’s commitment to this rule has been a cornerstone of his youthful appearance.
2. Prioritizing Quality Sleep: According to Durov, the body’s most effective recovery happens during deep sleep. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, warning against trying to catch up on sleep during the weekends. For him, quality sleep is non-negotiable in the quest to stay young.
3. Adhering to a Strict Diet: Durov is a firm believer that excess weight ages the body and leads to various health issues. He typically eats only one or two meals a day and avoids snacking, viewing eating more than three times a day as an unhealthy habit. His diet follows the Sigan approach, which combines vegetarianism with seafood consumption at least twice a week. He has completely eliminated fructose, dairy, eggs, gluten, meat, fast food, and caffeine from his diet.
4. Regular Exercise: While Durov doesn’t indulge in intense cardio, he stays active with moderate yet consistent exercise. His preferred activities include outdoor walking, cycling, and swimming. He also enjoys light weight training, which he finds beneficial for maintaining strength and health without overexertion.
5. Managing Stress: Durov has developed mental habits that help him maintain a positive outlook, believing that everything will work out in the end. He practices Stoic techniques such as negative visualization and emotional detachment, which help him stay calm and focused. Living close to nature, he says, makes it easier to adopt these mental practices.
6. Embracing Solitude: Interestingly, Durov notes that most middle-aged men who retain a youthful appearance have spent much of their lives living alone. He attributes this to their independence, allowing them to follow their own routines without being influenced by others’ eating, sleeping, or behavioral habits.
Through these six guiding principles, Pavel Durov has not only preserved his youthful looks but also crafted a lifestyle that embodies health, discipline, and balance. His approach offers a blueprint for anyone looking to maintain their vitality well into middle age and beyond.
