S5 E8: How to improve your memory and cognitive ability with World Record Holder Dave Farrow

Dave Faro discusses how childhood diagnoses of ADHD and dyslexia led him to develop brain training methods aimed at practical learning rather than “memory athlete” competition, including inventing five techniques and a “memory modes” syllabus tested in a double-blind study at McGill University. He explains that mnemonics work by making information feel novel, and argues people differ in what triggers novelty (action, exaggeration, personalisation, oddity, fantastical), with “teacher bias” causing mismatches. Faro recounts his Guinness records memorising 59 shuffled decks (3,068 cards) using compression and training. He teaches a names-and-faces “costume party” method using the first visualizable association, plus recall “shadow memory” tactics (look up/slow breathing; question technique; journaling questions before sleep). He covers stress effects (cortisol), meditation, ADHD as risk-oriented wiring, “focus bursts” timed study intervals, his multi-business experience during COVID, his PR agency’s trend-and-demographic publicity formula, and basics of sight-based speed reading.   00:00 Meet Dave Pharaoh 01:09 Why Memory Training 03:10 Memory Modes Breakthrough 04:24 Guinness Card Record 06:50 How Mnemonics Work 10:02 Finding Your Style 13:47 Names and Faces Trick 17:14 Trusting Your Memory 25:44 Recall and Shadow Methods 31:50 Staying Calm Under Pressure 38:27 Mindfulness Over Panic 39:36 ADHD Rise and Stimulation 42:16 Risk Trait Theory 46:43 Focus Bursts Method 51:57 Managing Many Projects 55:53 PR Formula That Works 01:02:44 Speed Reading Basics 01:08:47 Books Films and Purpose 01:15:07 Dharma and Final Wrap   For show notes see: https://www.cameronnorsworthy.com/flow-unleashed   To purchase the book ‘How to Find Flow’, visit https://geni.us/HowToFindFlow