John Graham went from being a shy, anxious kid to becoming a three-time USA Memory Champion and performing before 400 million viewers in China. Despite these achievements, John faced severe anxiety and daily panic attacks, which led him to confront and release suppressed emotions. Today, he has transformed his struggles into strength, helping others unlock their true potential. In this episode, John joins Ilana to share how he overcame severe anxiety through unconventional methods, the importance of facing your triggers, and the powerful connection between emotional healing and peak performance.
John Graham is a three-time USA Memory Champion, memory improvement expert, and a featured competitor on FOX’s Superhuman. He holds achievements like memorizing 229 names and faces in 15 minutes. As a speaker and coach, John helps others overcome anxiety, build confidence, and reach their potential.
In this episode, Ilana and John will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:42) Discovering the Power of Memory
(05:03) Mastering Memory Techniques as a Shy, Anxious Kid
(08:46) Finding Fulfillment Beyond Accomplishments
(11:53) Beating Crippling Anxiety in Memory Competitions
(14:30) Building Mental Toughness Under Pressure
(19:11) Competing Before 400 Million Viewers in China
(22:51) The Hidden Cost of Suppressing Emotions
(27:47) Getting to the Root Cause of Anxiety
(37:53) The Secret to Remembering Names and Faces
(39:54) How to Memorize Faster
(41:44) Using Visual Stories to Ace Tests
(43:00) Releasing Anxiety by Leaning Into the Pain
John Graham is a three-time USA Memory Champion, memory improvement expert, and a featured competitor on FOX’s Superhuman. Known for his ability to memorize extraordinary amounts of information, John has captivated audiences worldwide. He holds achievements like memorizing 229 names and faces in 15 minutes. As a speaker and coach, John helps others overcome anxiety, build confidence, and reach their potential.
Connect with John:
John’s Website: memoryjohn.com/about/
John’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/memoryjohn
Resources Mentioned:
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer: https://www.amazon.com/Moonwalking-Einstein-Science-Remembering-Everything/dp/0143120530
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Crippling Anxiety: How I Beat Panic Attacks to Become a 3x USA Memory Champion | John Graham | Leap Academy with Ilana Golan podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
