Memory master who cracked codes to record number of safes explains how he did it

Memory master Nelson Dellis (USA) demonstrated his amazing skills by cracking safes in front of a live TV audience.

It was on the set of our Lo Show dei Record in Milan, Italy, last year that Nelson claimed the record for most safes cracked using memorized 6 digit numbers with an impressive total of 19.

In a clip from the show, Nelson, who works as a memory coach, is seen standing in front of a row of safes with 20 six-digit codes displayed on a screen above them.

He was given just two minutes to study and memorize the numbers before unlocking as many safes as he could within a four-minute time window.

It’s a task that will seem impossible to most people.

Some of us may manage to remember a handful of the number combinations, but how many of us could honestly recall 20 random six-digit codes in just a couple of minutes?

Nelson, 41, had to crack at least 15 safes to claim the record title.

Working his way along them, it was clear he had a very clever system in place.

After one minute, Nelson had opened the first five safes.

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He opened the final safe just seconds after the time ran out, meaning that didn't count towards his total.

He said afterwards: “There were a couple I had a few gaps about so I skipped them and came back.

“There were a couple I thought I couldn’t remember at all but then it came back to me while I was going through some of the other ones.

“Technically I got all of them, I just wasn’t quite fast enough to tap in that last code.”

Nelson, a dad of four, is an Alzheimer's awareness activist, working in memory of his grandmother who died from the disease.

He takes on numerous challenges in tribute to her and has worked his way up to being one the best memorizers in the world.

Explaining how he does it, Nelson told us: “I use these techniques to help me memorize names of people I meet, phone numbers, important points in meetings, the uses are endless!

“I turn each group of six digits into a phonetic code, which then allows me to visualize the numbers as pictures of concrete things in my mind. I create a memorable story for all of those images and I can remember them all much easier.”

Interestingly, Nelson didn’t naturally have a good memory and had to work very hard to train himself.

And he says it’s something anyone can do.

“It truly is a learnable skill for ANYONE,” he said. “I am a coach in this space, so just reach out if you are interested in transforming your memory!”

Nelson says working on your memory has more benefits than you might think.

“I'd say the biggest thing it comes in handy for is building self-confidence in social settings,” he said. “Since my memory is rock-solid, I don't really have to worry about it. I don't really have any anxiety when it comes to remembering things, so I can focus on other things.

While Nelson has no other record attempts planned at the minute, he’s always keeping an eye out for challenges he could take on.