Jayden McNeill The Mindful Solver

By Victoria Velton

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In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion.

It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and taught himself the solution using YouTube tutorials. What began as curiosity quickly became a calling.

Fast-forward to today, McNeill’s competitive best sits at an astounding 4.9 seconds. He once came heartbreakingly close to breaking the four-second barrier in 2018, but a last-turn fumble cost him a world record. Yet, he didn’t let that moment define him. In 2023, he made a triumphant return to form by setting a world record in “fewest moves” solving, an intellectual and strategic variation of cubing where competitors aim to solve the cube in as few moves as possible over a one-hour analysis.

At 27, McNeill has shifted from sheer speed to the more thoughtful challenges of the cubing world, now chasing a sub-20 move average, near the current world record. His achievements span nearly every official discipline, from blindfolded solves to one-handed and even feet-solving.

Yet, McNeill is just as passionate about the people behind the puzzles. “The cubing community is one of the most wholesome groups you’ll find,” he says. It’s a space of mentorship, shared interest, and international friendship, far from the cutthroat competitiveness seen in many sports.

His advice for beginners? Go to a competition. “Even if you’re just starting out, competitions are where you’ll really learn and feel part of the community.” And forget the myth that cubers are maths geniuses. “I just like the colours,” he jokes, emphasising that cubing is more about pattern recognition and physical dexterity than complex arithmetic.

Jayden McNeill may now call Hinchinbrook home, but his sights remain global, with a world championship just weeks away, and dreams to even hold a competition in the region. From a Christmas toy to world records, his story proves that sometimes, solving the puzzle unlocks more than just a cube.