Nelson Charles Dellis is an American memory athlete, although he won’t call himself that. His titles include Grandmaster of Memory, mountaineer, published author, public speaker, and consultant. He is a four-time USA Memory Champion, tying the record for most wins of the national memory champion title. He is also one of the co-founders of Memory League (formerly, Extreme Memory Tournament). Nelson also runs Climb 4 Memory - a nonprofit which aims to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's disease research through mountain climbs around the wo...
Nelson Charles Dellis is an American memory athlete, although he won’t call himself that. His titles include Grandmaster of Memory, mountaineer, published author, public speaker, and consultant. He is a four-time USA Memory Champion, tying the record for most wins of the national memory champion title. He is also one of the co-founders of Memory League (formerly, Extreme Memory Tournament). Nelson also runs Climb 4 Memory - a nonprofit which aims to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's disease research through mountain climbs around the world.
→IN THIS EPISODE… Joe discusses with 4x USA Memory Champ, Nelson Dellis, his experiences climbing Mount Everest, how he got started in memory games/competitions, and his philanthropic cause, Climb 4 Memory. Nelson shares actionable exercises you can use today so you never again have to say, “Sorry, I’m horrible with names.” It’s so empowering to know that, with practice and imagination, you CAN cultivate your memory superpower and apply it to any part of your life.
🔍 Breakdown with Nelson Dellis:
Chapter 1 (0:00) Introducing Nelson Dellis
Joe introduces Nelson.
Chapter 2 (1:57) Everest vs Memory Champion
What is harder, climbing Everest or becoming a Memory Champion? It’s tricky to choose one, as they are so different, but Nelson explains the challenges of both.
Chapter 3 (2:58) Everest Unpacked
Over 800 trek to the Everest summit every year, but only a fraction are able to actually complete it. There is a 1% death rate, and Nelson experienced all of the challenges the mountain had to offer.
Chapter 4 (11:18) Climbing Interest
Travel had been an interest of Nelson’s and wanted to travel with a sense of purpose. Mountains had an existential pull for him and thus started his mountaineering journey.
Chapter 5 (12:39) Memory Path Begins
Around the time Nelson began exploring mountains, his grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This started his fascination with memory and how the brain works.
Chapter 6 (17:03) Memory Techniques within Schools
Memory techniques would be a great fundamental lesson kids should learn in school. Remembering facts is crucial to a school-aged child’s success.
Chapter 7 (19:39) Most Common Question
How to memorize names is a common question and something that we could use in our everyday lives. Nelson is also asked about speed reading.
Chapter 8 (21:31) Actionable ways to improve memory
Nelson gives some great exercises on how to improve their memory. Place value in the person you are talking to no matter who they are.
Chapter 9 (30:50) How to be present while memorizing
Being present while trying to memorize seems counterintuitive. Nelson gives tips on who to do both, most important to keep in mind, is the more you practice, the quicker these techniques happen.
Chapter 10 (33:56) Speed Reading
Speed reading can often be a hoax or a parlor trick. Nelson explains the gift isn’t about reading as fast as possible, but reading efficiently so you can get through the material quickly and retain what you read.
Chapter 11 (37:06) Entrepreneurial Spirit
If not in the memory world, Nelson would be running his own business. He also has a strong interest in coaching and teaching so would be a college professor.
Chapter 12 (38:28) Overcoming introverted tendencies
One on one is much more daunting than speaking to a room of thousands. Nelson read a lot about how to be better at his interpersonal skills. Just like memory, the more you practice interactions, the easier they become.
Chapter 13 (42:58) Climb 4 Memory
Bringing awareness to the importance of taking care of your brain health was important to Nelson. He felt combining his interest in climbing with memory and brain health was a perfect partnership.
Chapter 14 (45:12) Speed round of Questions
Joe asks Nelson a series of questions he answers quickly and off the cuff, from his favorite activities to how he met his wife.
Chapter 15 (47:20) Wrap-Up
Final thoughts from Joe.
Material Referenced in this interview:
→Memory Superpowers! (Children’s Book) By Nelson Dellis
→Remember It! By Nelson Dellis
→Read a Book in a Day (youtube speed read video)
→Memory Games - Netflix Special Documentary
→The Game by Neil Strauss
→Quantum Memory Power by Dominic O’Brien
📞 Connect with Nelson
→http://nelsondellis.com/
→https://www.everestmemory.com/ (memory masterclass)
→https://www.climb4memory.org/
→https://www.nelsondellis.com/my-blog/
→https://www.nelsondellis.com/memory-tips
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