The Memory Expert: Do You Want A Perfect Memory? WATCH.

Jim Kwik tells Steven Bartlett how a childhood head injury left him labeled 'the boy with the broken brain,' and how learning mnemonics and speed reading transformed his life. He argues there is no good or bad memory, only trained and untrained memory, and that limiting beliefs about ourselves are the biggest obstacle. The conversation covers practical frameworks: the PIE memory method, Six Thinking Hats for decisions, the Feynman technique, faster reading via visual pacers and reducing subvocalization, and ten keys to a healthy brain. He closes with his Limitless model of mindset, motivation and methods as the path out of feeling stuck.

• As a five-year-old in kindergarten Jim suffered a traumatic brain injury, hitting his head on a radiator, which left lasting processing difficulties.
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• A teacher publicly called him 'the boy with the broken brain,' a label that became his identity and explanation for every failure.
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• Around two months into studying mnemonics and speed reading, a 'light switch' flipped on and he understood school for the first time.
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• Steven reveals he and his partner are deciding where to live, weighing London, Portugal and Dubai, used as a live demo of Six Thinking Hats.
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• Steven admits his AirPods are labeled 'Apple AirPods 23' because he is on his 23rd pair, illustrating his disorganization.
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• Jim's deepest recent regret is committing to an overseas speaking event that means missing his first Father's Day with his newborn son.
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• Jim says he abandoned his plan to 'biohack' his baby and instead just loves and observes him, finding the child reminds him of forgotten core memories.
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• 'Digital dementia' is a new healthcare term for over-relying on technology to store information your brain would normally retain.
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• The 'Aging with Grace' nun longevity study found lifelong learning and gratitude/faith were key drivers of the nuns' long lives.
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• About one-third of memory performance is predetermined by genetics and two-thirds is within your control.
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• Recommended brain foods include avocados, blueberries, broccoli, olive oil, eggs, leafy greens, wild salmon/sardines, turmeric, walnuts and dark chocolate.
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• Moving your body produces BDNF, described as fertilizer for the brain that promotes neuroplasticity.
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• The average person reads about 200 words a minute, and Kwik's students on average triple their reading speed.
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• Subvocalization, the inner voice reading along, limits reading speed to talking speed rather than thinking speed.
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• The Zeigarnik effect: waiters easily memorize unpaid orders then forget them once delivered, showing the mind's drive to close open loops.
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• Will Smith's dominant unconscious question on set was 'How do I make this moment even more magical?'
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• The book was endorsed by the Cleveland Clinic and proceeds donated to Alzheimer's research in memory of Jim's grandmother.
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