Lost American in London Gets Lifeline

Stardate 09.29.2026

This morning, I woke up to a dead MacBook Pro.

Completely dead.

There was one small piece of good news.

At the end of the two-day DoNotAge® longevity conference, their technology team had reset my password so I could get back into my longevity account. I was in a hurry to get to church that evening and failed to write down the new password.

This morning, when I discovered the laptop was dead, I thought I had another problem waiting for me when I finally got it powered up.

Then I checked my phone.

There was an email from the DoNotAge® technology team offering me a temporary reset password for my account, which contains all the new information from the conference.

One problem solved.

Then I looked at the MacBook.

Nothing.

The power pack I had been relying on appeared to be nearly dead as well. I was six time zones from my comfort zone back home, in unfamiliar territory in London, and suddenly the computer that had been my connection to my writing, my work, my family, and the rest of my journey was gone.

This was a problem.

I went downstairs and met Rafael in the hotel lobby before breakfast. I explained what had happened and how important the computer was to my journey. I told him I wanted to live long and prosper. I also wanted to make it home without getting lost or missing my flight.

Rafael listened.

Then he sent me across the street.

First came breakfast. A scrumptious breakfast, as it turned out.

Then I gathered everything I had: the dead MacBook Pro, the power pack, every wire I had been carrying, and my bulky Insignia travel unit.

I walked into Kingcross Computer Center looking like a man bringing a patient into the emergency room.

The man helping me was from Iran. He examined the equipment and gave me the look a doctor gives you when he suspects there may be trouble.

Only for a moment.

Then he asked to see my MacBook power cord.

I handed him the big one that was still attached to the Insignia.

He looked at it.

Then he pulled off the small piece containing the American plug.

He reached for a UK plug.

He snapped it into place.

Then he plugged it in.

Boom.

The warp engines fired up.

The MacBook came back to life.

The same thing happened with the power pack.

Suddenly, I had power.

I had speed.

I had a lifeline.

Twenty minutes earlier, the system had been completely dead. Now the power level was climbing through 29 percent and continuing upward.

The problem had been the plug configuration.

Sometimes the answer is sitting right in front of you.

Sometimes you need another person to see it.

I took pictures of both men because I don't want to forget them.

Rafael didn't fix my computer. He listened when I explained how critical this was to my journey and pointed me toward someone who could help.

And the man at Kingcross Computer Center solved the mystery for £10.

I'm still six time zones from home.

I still have a flight to catch later this week.

I still have to navigate London.

I still miss my family.

But this morning, something changed.

My computer is alive.

My power pack is charging.

My phone has power.

My password problem has a temporary solution.

And I have warp speed capability for the remainder of my journey.

I came to London to live long and prosper.

This morning, three different acts of help came together: the DoNotAge® technology team, Rafael in the hotel lobby, and a computer technician from Iran across the street.

I don't want to forget any of them.

Sometimes prosperity looks like a successful investment or a great opportunity.

Sometimes it looks like a temporary password arriving on your phone.

Sometimes it looks like a UK plug snapped onto an American power adapter.

And sometimes, when you're far from home, prosperity looks like someone simply saying:

I've got you.

I was reminded this morning that help can arrive through very ordinary people and very ordinary moments.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: “Michael, remind me again why you carried every wire you own across London?”

Spock: “Because, Doctor, his survival instincts appear to be improving.”

Bones: “I'll give him that.”

Sometimes the journey gives us a problem we cannot solve from our own perspective. Then someone appears who sees the one thing we missed.

This morning, that one thing was a UK plug.

And somehow, the warp engines are running again.

Stumbling forward, one percent better, one day at a time.

🖖

Caution: 9 out of 10 Supplements Sold Online Aren't Real

Stardate 09.28.2026

I'm waking up this morning six time zones away from the comfort zone I left behind in Iowa.

I'm in London for the first time, and I've been lost at least once every day.

I'm doing all of this for one reason. To become a better version of myself, one percent better every day.

For the past two days, I sat in the same room with people who have devoted their lives to understanding longevity. I took notes, met experts, asked questions, and listened to people who traveled from around the world because they care about learning more about health and aging.

My partner, DoNotAge, brought me here.

These two days gave me a lot to think about.

I learned about research taking place around the world. I heard scientists explain what they are studying and why certain ingredients have attracted their attention. I met people who are willing to share what they are learning so others can benefit.

At age 66, I need all the help I can get.

Especially when I'm thousands of miles from home and finding my way through an unfamiliar city.

The conference ended with a surprise.

DoNotAge gave the partners sitting in the room permission to share news about a product before its worldwide launch next week.

I was given a 28-day supply to take home.

The product is called Performance.

One of the things I learned during the conference caught my attention.

We were shown findings from an independent report about supplements sold online. The finding presented to us was striking: nine out of ten supplements tested did not contain what their labels claimed.

I don't have the name of the report in front of me yet, so I'm going to track down the source before I say more about the study itself.

The question stayed with me.

Where does the ingredient come from?

How is it tested?

Does the amount in the product match the label?

What human research supports its use?

I have friends who have told me they gave up on supplements because they didn't believe they were doing anything.

I've become more interested in the research behind these products and in the companies that provide ingredients to researchers conducting clinical studies.

That's one reason I came to this conference.

Performance is designed to be added to the DoNotAge routine I'm already following.

The product contains three natural ingredients:

7 grams of creatine for strength and physical performance.

4 grams of Nitralis™ for blood flow.

2 grams of NAC to support the body's natural antioxidant systems.

DoNotAge also told us that Performance received Informed Sport certification ahead of its launch. That certification provides testing intended to identify substances prohibited in sport.

A six-month human trial is already underway with Performance.

Researchers are also studying cognitive outcomes and other measures, including telomere length, which is one of the markers researchers use when studying cellular aging.

The research is still underway.

That's important to me.

I'm bringing home 28 days of a new product after spending two days listening to experts talk about longevity science.

Now I get to follow along.

I'll be watching what the researchers learn, paying attention to how I respond, and sharing the lessons along the way.

A disclosure for my readers: DoNotAge provides me with a stipend when readers use my partner link to explore or purchase its products. I share that information because I want you to know how this relationship works. My experiences and observations are my own.

DoNotAge recommends checking with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine. I agree. Everyone's circumstances are different.

For now, Performance is available to the people who attended the conference before its worldwide launch next week.

Click here to explore.

If you're new to DoNotAge, come back here. I'll be sharing more of the lessons I brought home from these experts.

"So the Captain has returned from the conference with another experiment," Bones said.

"An accurate observation, Doctor," Spock replied. "He appears particularly interested in the evidence."

"Good. Maybe he'll remember to read the directions before he starts another one."

Spock has a point.

I'm learning to slow down enough to understand what I'm putting into my body.

That may be one of the best things I brought home from London.

Psalm 90:17: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands."

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

May you live long and prosper.

Day 1: The Questions That Brought Me Here

Stardate 09.27.2026

London gave me a small lesson in Underground travel yesterday morning.

I left my hotel around 7:50 with my directions saved on my phone in case I lost internet. I thought I was doing everything right. The train was traveling in the correct direction, but Tower Hill wasn't a stop on that particular train.

So I got off and walked.

I still arrived on time.

That was the beginning of Day 1 at the DoNotAge conference.

During the social hour, I began seeing people I had met at last year's conference in New York City. One of the first familiar faces was Karen, a 77-year-old woman who looks decades younger than her age. We sat alongside Ryker, James and Jodie, who is new to DoNotAge. Our table was a good mix of Americans and Europeans.

It felt good to reunite with partners from last year.

Before the conference officially started, I talked with Paul Barradell, the CEO, about something that has been on my mind for some time.

Many of my doctor friends back home have questions about the products I've been taking for years. I understand the questions. These supplements aren't part of the traditional medical school curriculum, so there is naturally skepticism when new products enter the market.

One of my tennis partners is a doctor. He told me he receives NAD injections, which got me thinking more deeply about what I had been learning about NAD and its role in the body.

I discovered DoNotAge while researching my book, Live Long and Prosper. NMN was one of my first discoveries. It is a precursor involved in NAD production.

I came to this conference with questions.

I wanted to hear from experts and learn more about the research behind the products I've been taking.

The experts did not disappoint.

Vera Gorbanova, a pioneer in Sirt-6 research, was one of the first speakers. She opened with a question:

What causes aging?

She explained the role of Sirt-6 as an enzyme and discussed inflammation as a hallmark associated with age-related diseases. She also presented research showing greater Sirt-6 activity in longer-lived species.

Research involving mice was part of her presentation as well. She shared findings in which mice receiving Sirt-6 appeared younger and showed less frailty.

Sirt-6 happens to be one of the first products I added to my own supplement routine.

Her presentation set the tone for the rest of the day. Each speaker brought a different area of research to the room.

Company founder Alan Graves stood up and shared why he started DoNotAge. He became emotional when he told us his mother was sitting in the room with us.

He also shared that the company has now helped more than one million people pursue a healthier life.

Soren, from Denmark, talked about muscle mass reduction as we age. He shared research involving muscle recovery and spermidine, another product that has become part of my longevity routine.

During lunch, Soren stopped by our table and I had the opportunity to talk with him. Nicholás Cherñasly from Brazil joined the conversation. Nicholás shared a presentation about follow-up research he and his wife are doing related to a study that reported a 67 percent increase in longevity in mice.

Johnny and Lindsey gave a joint presentation about the new sachets. Their presentation generated quite a reaction in the room as they shared reports from patients experiencing changes in menopause symptoms. Some patients also reported better sleep and the elimination of dry mouth.

More research is needed.

That sentence stayed with me.

Research takes time. Questions lead to more questions. Conferences like this give researchers an opportunity to share what they are studying and give people like me an opportunity to listen.

I also had the opportunity to share my own work.

I brought signed copies of Live Long and Prosper with me and passed them out during the conference. Somehow, I managed to fit the books into my very small carry-on along with my small backpack.

My wife was surprised that everything I needed for a 12-day adventure through Scotland and London fit into those two bags.

The book that began with my own curiosity about longevity was now sitting in the hands of people working in the field that inspired it.

At the end of the day, I thanked Paul for a great first day and asked him for a picture together.

I came here with questions.

I left Day 1 with even more to learn.

“Let the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

A note about DoNotAge: DoNotAge is a partner of mine. If a reader chooses to purchase through my partner link, I receive a stipend. The discount code is LLAP, and the partner link can be found by clicking here. I encourage readers to do their own discovery and research.

Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, your first London train experience appears to have provided useful data.”

Bones: “He got on the wrong train, Spock.”

Spock: “And still arrived on time. The data remains useful.”

I came here to learn. Today gave me plenty to think about, and tomorrow brings another full day with people who have devoted their lives to understanding how we age.

I'm grateful to be here.

And I'm grateful I brought the little book that started part of this journey with me.

Ready to Listen, Learn, and Share

Stardate 09.26.2026 

I arrived in London yesterday.

The journey from Edinburgh gave me a chance to see England from the ground level. I watched the countryside pass by the train window, met Claire, and eventually found my way to London.

Once I arrived, I started exploring.

I walked the city, took pictures, figured out the transportation system and put plenty of miles on my shoes. Yesterday brought another 19,000 steps.

Now it is time to slow down and listen.

This morning I will attend the DoNotAge conference with people who have spent years studying longevity and helping move the conversation forward.

I came to London with an open mind.

I want to listen.

I want to learn.

And I want to share what I discover with the people who follow along with me.

There is something special about being in a room filled with people who are curious about how we can live longer, healthier and more purposeful lives.

I don't need to have all the answers.

I just need to pay attention.

Today I get to do exactly that.

Psalm 90:17

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands."

I am grateful to be here.

Now it's time to listen, learn and share.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Michael, your objective appears remarkably straightforward."

Bones: "Listen, learn and share. I think even Spock can handle that one."

Spock: "I was merely observing the mission parameters."

Tomorrow, I get to sit in the room and listen.

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to become a student again.

Seeing England From the Ground

Stardate 09.25.2026

This morning I left Edinburgh by train.

I settled into my seat and watched the countryside begin to unfold outside the window. The train carried me south through Scotland and into England, giving me hours to simply watch.

There were plenty of wind turbines scattered across the landscape. I noticed trees with white bark and wondered what species they were. Many of the fields looked as though they had recently been plowed. The landscape kept changing as we moved along.

I found myself enjoying the pace of the journey.

Flying would have gotten me from one place to another much faster. Sitting on the train gave me a chance to see the country at ground level. I could watch the farms, villages, fields and hills pass by one mile at a time.

Even the conversations around me offered little reminders that I was traveling somewhere different. I heard passengers using the word "toilet" for what I would usually call the bathroom. Small observations like that kept me connected to the experience.

Claire was sitting beside me.

We talked during the journey, and she gave me a list of things to do while I am in London. I have one week before I head home, with the DoNotAge conference coming first on Saturday and Sunday. After the conference, I have several days to explore London.

Claire and I also discovered another connection. She takes many of the supplements I take, so our conversation naturally moved toward longevity and the things we are doing to live long and prosper.

Before we parted, I gave her a copy of Live Long and Prosper.

I like those moments when a person enters your day for a few hours and leaves something behind that continues with you after you say goodbye.

Eventually, the train brought me to London.

I found my way to the hotel, checked in and settled into my room.

Then I opened my computer.

Here I am.

I have been writing this daily blog for many years, and today's story feels different. I am sitting in a London hotel room after traveling through England by train, looking back at the countryside I watched from my window and thinking about the conversation I had with Claire.

Tomorrow begins the DoNotAge conference.

After that, London is waiting.

Psalm 121:8

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

That verse fits this journey well.

There is still a lot of road ahead, and I am grateful for every mile.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Michael, your mission parameters appear to have expanded considerably."

Bones: "Give the man a week in London and a list from Claire, Spock. You know he's going to try to see everything."

Spock: "I have already calculated the probability."

Sometimes the best parts of a journey arrive without a reservation. A seat beside a stranger can become a conversation. A conversation can become a connection. A book can change hands and continue the journey with someone else.

I am grateful for Claire, for the train ride, and for the opportunity to keep exploring.

One day at a time.

Engage.

19,000 Steps

Stardate 09.24.2026

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here are some pictures of Edinburgh I shot during my 19,000-step tour of the city yesterday. If you visit me on Substack, I will also share some videos there once I have more free time.

Yesterday I visited the Royal Botanic Garden on the north end of the city. From there, I made my way to St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. I arrived just after 5 p.m. and discovered they were presenting a choir service at 5:30. I stayed.

Two lessons were presented during the service. The first was an account of St. Columba, a monk who left royalty to disciple men and bring faith to Scotland. The second came from Luke, chapter four, when Jesus was tempted by the Devil after spending 40 days in the wilderness following His baptism.

All I can say about the service is that I felt the presence of God while inside.

The voices were angelic.

After sunset, the temperature cooled into the low 60s, but I was still ready to eat outside. The city was coming to life around me. Beside me, a street magician entertained a crowd on a closed-off street. Walking tour guides moved through the area. Passersby spoke in multiple languages.

I ordered the Independence Day burger, fully loaded with two onion rings and capped with pickles on top. One block away, I found a cafe serving two scoops of ice cream.

After 19,000 steps, both sounded pretty good.

Today I'm planning to visit museums, monuments, and the other St. Mary's Cathedral, which happens to be from my denomination. Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park is also calling me to climb to the ridge overlooking my hotel. I spotted visitors standing on top of the ridge watching the sunset on my first day in Edinburgh.

I'm thankful the weather has been surprisingly good, with most of the rain coming at night. August is considered the best month to visit Scotland. September has its own appeal. The festival crowds have thinned, and I've had plenty of opportunities to explore on foot.

Tomorrow I'll take a four-hour train ride to London.

The DoNotAge international conference is coming up over the weekend. I'll be learning from some of the world's leading longevity researchers and interacting with people who are curious about how to live long and prosper in their senior years.

I'll be sharing those lessons in future stories.

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." — Psalm 90:17

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, 19,000 steps is a significant amount of exploration for one day.

Bones: And apparently enough exercise to justify a burger with onion rings and two scoops of ice cream.

Spock: Your assessment appears medically unscientific, Doctor.

Bones: I wasn't giving medical advice, Spock. I was talking about the Captain's priorities.

Some days give us a lesson in a cathedral. Some arrive while walking through a garden. Others show up in the middle of a crowded street with a magician performing beside the dinner table.

Yesterday gave me all three.

I'm grateful I had the time and energy to keep walking.

One step led to another, and eventually I found myself sitting inside a cathedral listening to voices that made me stop and simply be present.

Maybe that is enough for today.

One percent better. One day at a time.

Finding My Way Around

 Stardate 09.23.2026

I’m finding my way around a new country.

That sounds simple, but there is something exciting about it. Every day brings a small discovery.

The people I’ve met so far have been friendly. The customs are different from what I’m used to in the United States. One example caught my attention right away: tipping isn’t expected at eateries the way it is back home. The restaurants also don't charge a surcharge to use a bank card.

Public transportation is another difference. It is readily available, and I’m learning how to use it.

When I arrived at Edinburgh International Airport, I took the A bus into downtown Edinburgh. The A route begins at the terminal and ends in the downtown area. No rental car. No navigating unfamiliar roads. I simply found the bus, climbed aboard and watched the city come into view.

I am thankful I'm not navigating in a rental car. They drive on the opposite side of the road, and the driver sits on what would be the passenger side in the United States. There are roundabouts, which would further complicate things should I return and decide to get a rental car.

Today, I’m going to use the bus system again and explore a little more.

Yesterday, the weather reached 70 degrees, so I decided to have my first meal two blocks from my hotel. I ate outside and ordered fish and chips. The meal included a salad.

My friend and accountability partner, Joni, was recently in Scotland and told me how impressed she was with the farm-to-table practices here. I thought about that as I ate my salad. It was delightful.

The fish was crispy on the outside.

The fries were superior.

That was my first real meal in Scotland, and it gave me another small taste of what makes this place different.

Even my hotel has given me something to think about. The layout is small and simple. There isn't a lot of wasted space. Everything seems designed to serve a purpose.

There is an efficiency to it that I appreciate.

Maybe today's story is really a glimpse into Europe through the eyes of someone who is curious and willing to learn.

I'm still finding my way.

At the same time, technology makes the distance from home feel a little smaller. I'm using WhatsApp to stay connected with my family, sharing pieces of the adventure as I go.

I'm thousands of miles from home, learning new customs, figuring out transportation and seeing a new part of the world.

Psalm 90:17 comes to mind: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”

I don't know what today's bus ride will bring. That's part of the fun.

I'm learning.

I'm exploring.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here.

Join me here: https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain’s Addendum

Spock: “Captain, your exploration appears to have begun with public transportation and fish and chips.”

Bones: “And somehow he has already developed an opinion about the fries.”

Michael: Fair assessment. I'm discovering that exploration doesn't require a grand plan. Sometimes it starts with getting on a bus, finding a place to eat and paying attention to what is happening around me.

Maybe that's today's lesson.

Keep looking. Keep learning. Keep moving forward.

One percent better, one day at a time.