Think You Have a Bad Memory? Think Again with Tansel Ali

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 Hack00:22 Podcast Intro01:30 From “Bad Memory” to Memory Champion02:48 Discovering Memory Techniques05:00 Benefits of Memory Training08:05 AI and Technology Trade-offs11:59 Authentic Leadership and Mental Clarity14:31 Cognitive Overload17:09 Remembering Names20:40 Sharpening the Mind23:16 Switching Off at Night26:29 Final Takeaways   Links:Learn more about my group coaching program here   Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/Instagram: @juliehydeleadsWebsite: https://juliehyde.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.