Trevor Lunsford is a seasoned mergers and acquisitions executive with more than eight years of experience across investment banking and advisory roles. Trevor Lunsford currently serves as a Director at Union Square Advisors, where he focuses on vertical and application software markets including GovTech, eCommerce, healthcare IT, and education technology. His career includes advising on billions of dollars in completed transactions and working closely with private equity firms and growth-stage software companies.
Alongside his professional work in finance, Trevor Lunsford maintains personal interests that intersect with health, fitness, and long-term performance. He is an avid hiker, participates regularly in structured fitness programs, and follows developments in health optimization. These interests align naturally with broader discussions about longevity, healthspan, and the lifestyle choices that support a longer and more functional life. The topic of longevity versus luxury reflects a growing focus on sustainable habits that prioritize physical resilience and well-being over short-term indulgence.
Longevity vs. Luxury and the Foundations of a Longer Life
Longevity has officially moved from the fringes of “bio-hacking” to a mainstream American health priority. But when we talk about longevity today, we aren’t just talking about a higher number on a birthday card; we’re talking about “healthspan” – the ability to live a longer life without the chronic physical decay we’ve come to expect with aging. It’s a significant shift in priorities. A recent study found that the majority of Americans would actually choose a longer, healthier life over a “luxurious” one. Currently, women are leading the longevity race with an average lifespan of 81.1 years compared to 78.4 for men, but regardless of where you start, moving the needle requires mastering a few non-negotiables.
One of the most immediate hurdles is tobacco use. While we all know the risks, the sheer scale of the damage is worth noting: over 16 million Americans are living with a smoking-related illness. Beyond the obvious links to cancer and lung disease, tobacco is a massive driver of cardiovascular issues and Type 2 diabetes. Quitting is arguably the single most effective “longevity hack” available. It doesn’t just stop the clock on future damage; it allows the body to begin repairing itself almost immediately. For anyone still using tobacco, treating it as a medical hurdle rather than a willpower issue, by working with a doctor on a cessation program, is usually the key to making the change stick.
Beyond avoiding toxins, longevity is tied directly to your metabolic health and weight management. While the Body Mass Index (BMI) gets criticized for being a blunt instrument, it serves as a vital baseline for tracking systemic health. The current reality in the U.S. is a major concern: research published in The Lancet in 2025 suggests that roughly 75% of Americans now fall into the overweight or obese categories. This isn’t just about aesthetics; excess weight puts immense mechanical stress on your joints and creates a metabolic environment where heart disease, stroke, and diabetes can thrive.
This brings us to the foundational habit that supports everything else: staying active. Even if your weight is within a healthy range, a sedentary lifestyle is a longevity killer. The CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of activity five days a week, but you don’t have to wait for a “perfect” gym window to make progress. A brisk daily walk or a short, intense circuit is infinitely better than a perfectly planned workout that you never actually do. Movement is essentially the “maintenance fee” for a body that functions well into its 80s and 90s.
Finally, you have to look at the fuel you’re providing. Nearly half of American adults have what researchers consider a “poor-quality” diet, often over-consuming salt and processed sugars while starving their bodies of the nutrients that support cellular health. The fix isn’t particularly flashy, but it works. Increasing your intake of fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—while drastically cutting back on the “hidden” sugars in processed foods—is the baseline for any longevity plan.
Ultimately, longevity isn’t about a single “magic” supplement or a high-priced therapy; it’s about the compounding interest of these daily choices. Consistency in your nutrition, your movement, and your metabolic health is what builds a life that is both long and worth living.
About Trevor Lunsford
Trevor Lunsford is a Director at Union Square Advisors with a background in mergers and acquisitions across software and technology markets. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in finance from Georgia State University. Recognized as an Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor, he combines professional expertise with personal interests in fitness, hiking, travel, and long-term performance.
