Episode 42: US Memory Champion Nelson Dellis

Nelson Dellis is one of the most interesting CrossFitters in the world.

Nelson is a four-time US Memory Champion. I flew to Manhattan to watch him win his second in 2014 and wrote about the experience in the CrossFit Journal. He was introduced to CrossFit by a mutual friend in Miami, whose coaches were struggling to remember the names of the athletes in their large classes. He’s also attempted to summit Everest three times, dragging camera crews along with him more than once.

He’s the founder of the Extreme Memory Tournament, the author of “I Forgot Something (But I Can’t Remember What It Was)” and the founder of Climb For Memory, a charity for Alzheimer’s Research.

He’s been featured on Today, The Dr. Oz Show, Nightline and Saturday Night Live.

“Client Experience” is one of our 7 Areas of Gym Excellence. When your coach remembers important things about you, your bond is reinforced. Nelson talks about paying attention, remembering details about your clients, and how to make both easier.

Our UpCoach Challenge: Client Scavenger Hunt was a huge hit last month. Nelson’s most important lesson to me is this: make massive goals, go after them hard, and take the big lessons.