We meet with Shaun Lee to unlock the secrets of the mind at Five Lakes
You may recall our blog that featured Shaun Lee’s jaw-dropping pre-show performance of Mindreader, which had audiences at Five Lakes shaking their heads and whispering, “How did he do that?”
Dubbed our very own Derren Brown, Shaun captivated guests with feats of psychological wizardry, sleight of mind, and uncanny intuition. But what if we told you that some of the feats displayed in Mindreader are now being taught to guests in a brilliant new workshop?
Enter Master Your Memory—Shaun’s latest guest-favourite session at Five Lakes. This isn’t another show, but more a hands-on, eye-opening experience that blends entertainment with education, awareness, and just the right amount of “wow” factor.
And naturally, we went along to see it for ourselves.
Setting the Tone
You’d be forgiven for being a bit skeptical stepping into the session, but it’s something Shaun is used to. While a far cry from singing sets on The Garden Bar stage or laugh-out-loud sketches in Simply the Best, Shaun’s personality puts you instantly at ease.
Personally, my memory is at best selective, and at worst, a revolving door for names, dates, and shopping lists. But Shaun’s warm, humorous style immediately set the tone.
“Memory is a creative process,” he told us. “Not a mechanical one. So let’s stop treating it like a filing cabinet and start using it like a paintbrush.”
And, not that he needed to, he proves his credentials by reeling off the titles of the complete works of Shakespeare in the order they were written. And with that, we were off.
The Linking System
Shaun began by showing us how to build a story out of random objects. “If you need to remember a list of things—say for a speech, shopping, or tasks—link them together in a ridiculous, vivid sequence. Your brain loves images and absurdity,” he explained.
After a demonstration of that, guests were successfully recalling a 12-item list both forwards and backwards, while no doubt thinking of monkies dressed as butlers, answering a phone made from sausages. Yes, you kinda have to be there…
The Loci System
This technique blew everyone’s minds. Shaun taught us to use a familiar place—our house, a walk to the shops, or even a route we take every day—as a mental “palace” where each stop held a new memory.
Placing imaginary items in those locations created a kind of memory journey, which was surprisingly hard to forget once you’d walked it once or twice in your mind.
“I used this in exams,” one guest confided to me afterwards. “Wish I’d known about it twenty years ago,” said another.
Names, Numbers, and a Final Test
Shaun explains how a number system converts digits into images, making birthdays and phone numbers easier to recall. We even dabbled in remembering people’s names with three simple techniques.
“It’s not that you’re bad with names,” Shaun reminded us. “It’s that no one ever taught you how to be good at them.”
He saved the best for last—a test where we applied everything we’d learned in one go. The result? Plenty of laughter and genuine surprise and pride around the room as we realised just how much information we’d retained. Not by note, but by reimagining memory as a playful, powerful tool.
A Session Worth Remembering
It’s rare that a daytime activity on your holidays can shift your whole perspective. But Master Your Memory does exactly that. A session that’s as fun as it is fascinating, led by a man who doesn’t just perform mental marvels—he teaches them.
And the best part? You leave with skills you can use every day. Whether it’s remembering the names of new friends on resort, delivering a wedding speech, recalling a to-do list without sticky notes, or just getting better at pub quizzes, Shaun’s session equips you with the kind of brainpower that lingers long after the break ends.
So if you’re heading to Five Lakes soon, don’t miss the chance to learn from the mind behind the magic. Who knows? The next time someone forgets their keys or what they came into the room for, it might not be you!
After all, memory isn’t just about remembering more—it’s about unlocking the best version of yourself.
And thanks to Shaun, it turns out the key’s been in your head all along.
