#679: Simon Coronel, World Champion of Magic — Quitting the Day Job, The Delights of the Magic Castle, Finding Glitches in Reality, Learning How to Use Your Own Brain, and Worshiping at the Altar of Wonder | TED Radio Hour

Intro

In this episode of the TED Radio Hour, magician and illusionist Simon Coronel shares his journey from quitting his day job to becoming the World Champion of Magic. He discusses his love for magic, the wonders of the Magic Castle, finding glitches in reality, and the importance of embracing wonder and pursuing your dreams.

Main Takeaways

Quitting the Day Job and Pursuing Magic

• Simon Coronel, a world-class magician, left his management consulting job to pursue his passion for magic.
• Starting magic later in life gave Simon a unique perspective and motivation.
• He discovered magic through the Melbourne University Magician Society and was fascinated by the art and craft of magic.

The Delights of the Magic Castle

• The Magic Castle is a unique nighttime country club for magicians and a public entertainment venue.
• Magicians at the Magic Castle are more like special effects designers and performers.
• The venue has been around for over 60 years and is a genuine and profound part of magic history.

Finding Glitches in Reality

• Simon Coronel’s magic tricks often involve finding glitches in reality and creating moments of wonder.
• He aims to move upwards on the performance scale, from the worst thing to the best thing someone has ever seen.
• Simon practices radical early-ness, arriving at appointments an hour or two early to be low-stress and productive.

Learning How to Use Your Own Brain

• Simon Coronel believes that starting late in magic allowed him to approach it with a unique perspective and motivation.
• He has a tendency to delve deep into understanding things to the finest level of granularity.
• The speaker has a unique perspective on magic from starting to learn it at age 18.

Worshiping at the Altar of Wonder

• Simon Coronel’s passion for magic comes from a desire to make life less mundane and inspire awe and wonder.
• Magic provides moments of extraordinary and profound experiences that are lacking in our modern world.
• He believes in embracing wonder and pursuing your dreams, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges.

Summary

Quitting the Day Job and Pursuing Magic

Simon Coronel, a world-class magician and illusionist, left his management consulting job to pursue his passion for magic. Starting magic later in life gave him a unique perspective and motivation. He discovered magic through the Melbourne University Magician Society and was fascinated by the art and craft of magic.

The Delights of the Magic Castle

The Magic Castle is a unique nighttime country club for magicians and a public entertainment venue. It has been around for over 60 years and is a genuine and profound part of magic history. Magicians at the Magic Castle are more like special effects designers and performers, combining their skills to create illusions that leave audiences in awe.

Finding Glitches in Reality

Simon Coronel’s magic tricks often involve finding glitches in reality and creating moments of wonder. He aims to move upwards on the performance scale, from the worst thing to the best thing someone has ever seen. Simon practices radical early-ness, arriving at appointments an hour or two early to be low-stress and productive. This strategic approach helps him manage his time effectively and reduce distractions.

Learning How to Use Your Own Brain

Simon Coronel believes that starting late in magic allowed him to approach it with a unique perspective and motivation. He has a tendency to delve deep into understanding things to the finest level of granularity. The speaker’s interest in magic was purely knowledge-seeking, and he continues to explore and experiment with new ideas and techniques to refine his craft.

Worshiping at the Altar of Wonder

Simon Coronel’s passion for magic comes from a desire to make life less mundane and inspire awe and wonder. He believes in embracing wonder and pursuing your dreams, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges. Magic provides moments of extraordinary and profound experiences that are lacking in our modern world. Simon encourages others to find their own passions and pursue them with enthusiasm and determination.

Conclusion

Simon Coronel’s journey from quitting his day job to becoming the World Champion of Magic is a testament to the power of following your passion and embracing wonder. His love for magic, the delights of the Magic Castle, finding glitches in reality, learning how to use his own brain, and worshiping at the altar of wonder have shaped his career and brought him success. Simon’s story inspires us to pursue our own dreams and find joy in the extraordinary moments of life.