Memory Champion Nelson Dellis on Training Your Brain to Do the Impossible with Lewis Howes

Everest Attempts

Nelson Dellis shares his gripping experiences attempting to summit Mount Everest, a feat he has tried three times without reaching the top. Despite getting within 50 meters of the summit on one occasion, he faced challenges like malfunctioning oxygen masks and the daunting return journey, which ultimately led him to make the difficult decision to turn back 1. The expedition is a two-month endeavor, requiring significant acclimatization to the high altitudes, which Dellis describes as a physically and mentally taxing process.

   

Cognitive Challenges

Dellis uses his memory skills to navigate the mental demands of mountaineering, finding parallels between the exhilaration of climbing and competing in memory championships. He describes the emotional void that follows these intense experiences, likening it to the emptiness felt after achieving a significant goal 2. This pursuit of high-stakes challenges drives him to continually seek new adventures, pushing the boundaries of his mental and physical capabilities.