Danny Jones Podcast #347 - USA’s #1 Brain Athlete: Memory is NOT Stored in Your Brain | Nelson Dellis
Nov 7, 2025
Nelson Dellis, a six-time USA Memory Champion, shares his expertise on memorization techniques, from ancient memory palaces to modern methods. He reveals how memory competitions work and the cultural factors behind nations excelling in memory sports. Nelson discusses intriguing concepts like whether memory resides only in the brain and his training in remote viewing, including live demonstrations. He challenges the notion of psychic abilities and explores the intersection of memory, psychedelics, and intuition. Prepare for a fascinating journey into the mind!
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From Concern To Obsession
- Nelson Dellis became a memory competitor after worrying about his grandmother's Alzheimer's and discovering memory championships around 2009.
- He trained methodically with measurable events and meticulous notes, which turned an interest into an obsession.
Brains Prefer Pictures Over Symbols
- Memory works best when abstract data becomes vivid images because our brains are designed for pictures, not raw symbols.
- The memory palace gives order and retrieval structure by anchoring those images to familiar spatial routes.
Plan Palaces Based On Information Size
- Decide before you start what level of detail you truly need to memorize to avoid wasting mental ‘real estate’.
- Map the amount of information to the number of loci and pick a palace appropriate to that size.
