In this episode of Leading You, Julie Hyde is joined by memory expert and Australian memory champion Tansel Ali for a fascinating conversation about memory, focus and mental performance in a world full of distractions.

What makes Tansel’s story so powerful is that he didn’t begin with a brilliant memory. In fact, he believed the opposite. For years he saw himself as someone who constantly forgot things, struggled to retain information and relied on Post-it notes just to stay organised.

Then everything changed.

After discovering memory techniques through a friend, Tansel began deliberately training his brain. That journey led him to extraordinary achievements, including memorising two full Yellow Pages directories in just 24 days. It sounds impossible, yet his story is a reminder that the brain is far more trainable than most people realise.

In this conversation we go beyond memory techniques. We explore how memory training strengthens focus, improves communication and supports clearer thinking, something that matters enormously for leaders navigating complex and fast-moving environments.

We also talk about cognitive overload, a challenge so many leaders face today. Moving from meeting to meeting, decision to decision, conversation to conversation without pause can leave the brain scattered and exhausted. Tansel explains why this doesn’t just feel draining. It actively weakens recall, focus and mental clarity.

Another important theme in this episode is the role of AI and technology. Tools like AI can support our thinking, but they should never replace it. As Tansel explains, if we outsource too much of our thinking and remembering to technology, we risk weakening the very skills that help us lead well.

We also dive into practical ideas, including simple strategies to remember names, prepare your brain before meetings and reduce the mental clutter that drains focus and energy.

If you have ever felt mentally overloaded, distracted or forgetful, this episode will challenge how you think about memory and give you practical ways to sharpen your mind.

In this episode we explore
How Tansel Ali went from believing he had a bad memory to becoming a memory champion
• Why memory is far more trainable than most people think
• How memory training improves focus, learning and communication
• What cognitive overload does to leaders and why so many people feel mentally exhausted
• How to think about AI without outsourcing your own thinking

 

Timestamps

00:00 Focus Memory Hack
00:22 Podcast Intro
01:30 From “Bad Memory” to Memory Champion
02:48 Discovering Memory Techniques
05:00 Benefits of Memory Training
08:05 AI and Technology Trade-offs
11:59 Authentic Leadership and Mental Clarity
14:31 Cognitive Overload
17:09 Remembering Names
20:40 Sharpening the Mind
23:16 Switching Off at Night
26:29 Final Takeaways

 

Links:
Learn more about my group coaching program here

 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram:@juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

In this episode of&nbsp;Leading You, Julie Hyde is joined by memory expert and Australian memory champion&nbsp;Tansel Ali&nbsp;for a fascinating conversation about memory, focus and mental performance in a world full of distractions.
What makes Tansel&rsquo;s story so powerful is that he didn&rsquo;t begin with a brilliant memory. In fact, he believed the opposite. For years he saw himself as someone who constantly forgot things, struggled to retain information and relied on Post-it notes just to stay organised.
Then everything changed.
After discovering memory techniques through a friend, Tansel began deliberately training his brain. That journey led him to extraordinary achievements, including memorising two full Yellow Pages directories in just 24 days. It sounds impossible, yet his story is a reminder that the brain is far more trainable than most people realise.
In this conversation we go beyond memory techniques. We explore how memory training strengthens focus, improves communication and supports clearer thinking, something that matters enormously for leaders navigating complex and fast-moving environments.
We also talk about&nbsp;cognitive overload, a challenge so many leaders face today. Moving from meeting to meeting, decision to decision, conversation to conversation without pause can leave the brain scattered and exhausted. Tansel explains why this doesn&rsquo;t just feel draining. It actively weakens recall, focus and mental clarity.
Another important theme in this episode is the role of&nbsp;AI and technology. Tools like AI can support our thinking, but they should never replace it. As Tansel explains, if we outsource too much of our thinking and remembering to technology, we risk weakening the very skills that help us lead well.
We also dive into practical ideas, including simple strategies to remember names, prepare your brain before meetings and reduce the mental clutter that drains focus and energy.
If you have ever felt mentally overloaded, distracted or forgetful, this episode will challenge how you think about memory and give you practical ways to sharpen your mind.
In this episode we explore
<ul>
<li>How Tansel Ali went from believing he had a bad memory to becoming a memory champion &bull; Why memory is far more trainable than most people think &bull; How memory training improves focus, learning and communication &bull; What cognitive overload does to leaders and why so many people feel mentally exhausted &bull; How to think about AI without outsourcing your own thinking</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Timestamps
00:00 Focus Memory Hack 00:22 Podcast Intro 01:30 From &ldquo;Bad Memory&rdquo; to Memory Champion 02:48 Discovering Memory Techniques 05:00 Benefits of Memory Training 08:05 AI and Technology Trade-offs 11:59 Authentic Leadership and Mental Clarity 14:31 Cognitive Overload 17:09 Remembering Names 20:40 Sharpening the Mind 23:16 Switching Off at Night 26:29 Final Takeaways
&nbsp;
Links: Learn more about my group coaching program <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au/leadher-mastermind">here</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with&nbsp;Julie:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/" data-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/</a> Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/" data-href="https://www.instagram.com/juliehydeleads/"> @juliehydeleads</a> Website: <a href="https://juliehyde.com.au">https://juliehyde.com.au</a>

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?

Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.

There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.

I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.

Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.

Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.

A Podcast dedicated to business owners and leaders to inspire you to make it count

Leading You

Want to know the secret to confident and successful leadership?
Every week, Leading You showcases leadership of all kinds and you get the scoop on how to be an effective, modern leader who makes an impact.
There’s one thing we all have in common. We’re all leaders. First and foremost, you’re a leader of you. You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is a mindset which anyone can adopt to create influence. The more leaders the world has, the better it will be.
I'll let you into something I know to be true - You can’t be a leader of others unless you’re a leader of self first. So if you want to have impact that leads to prosperity and happiness, it all starts with you. With your mindset and personal leadership toolbox, which Leading You will help you build up.
Leading you is hosted by Julie Hyde, an entrepreneur, corporate drop out and passionate leader. Julie knows one thing: you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you respond. It’s why Leading You is important.
Each week, guests share their secret sauce. They reveal their roadmaps to success. How they’ve stayed anchored to who they are, insights into their courage and resilience and how to be emotionally and behaviourally agile. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation, and you’ll hear the human side of household names.