When you first hear about a man leaving a big investment banking job to solve sudoku puzzles on YouTube, it sounds almost unreal. But that is exactly what Simon Anthony did. He walked away from a high-paying career in London because he was unhappy, tired, and felt like he was losing his life to a job he no longer wanted. Instead, he chose something completely different. He chose puzzles.
At first, it looked like a strange decision. His early videos on YouTube barely reached 100 views. He was filming from his spare room in Surrey, talking through sudoku grids in a calm, soft voice. Not many people expected something like this to grow. But slowly, something interesting began to happen. The world started to notice him.
Today, millions of people watch Simon Anthony solve logic puzzles. His voice, his reactions, and his style have turned sudoku into a new kind of entertainment. People describe his videos as relaxing, calming, even a bit like ASMR. Many viewers say the same thing: his videos help them feel better, especially in stressful times.
A Life-Changing Choice
Before becoming a famous puzzle solver, Simon Anthony worked as a Managing Director at a major bank. The job paid well, but it drained him. He often says he felt like he was “working his youth away.” So he saved some money, took a deep breath, and finally walked away.
Around this time, he teamed up with his old friend Mark Goodliffe, a well-known puzzler. Together, they created the YouTube channel Cracking the Cryptic in 2017. The setup was simple: the puzzle on the left side of the screen, and either Simon or Mark on the right, talking through every step as they worked toward the solution. No fancy effects. No big studio. Just pure logic and passion.
When lockdowns began across the world, people were stuck at home. Many were stressed, bored, or looking for something comforting to watch. That’s when the channel exploded. More and more people shared videos of Simon Anthony solving sudoku in his calm British voice. Within weeks, his audience grew into the hundreds of thousands.
The Video That Changed Everything
One of the biggest moments came when Simon Anthony posted a video called The Miracle Sudoku. The puzzle had only two starting numbers. At first glance, it looked impossible. Even Simon seemed shocked. “You’ve got to be joking,” he said at the start.
But as he worked through the puzzle, something magical happened. The pieces fell into place. Numbers appeared one after another. Simon spoke softly, amazed at every new discovery. “We are watching magic unfold here,” he said, and viewers agreed. The video went viral across the world. People who had never cared about sudoku were suddenly hooked.
Writers, mathematicians, and celebrities shared the video. Dana Schwartz called it the most exciting thing she had watched all year. Alex Bellos talked about the joy of the “aha moments.” Even James Charles, a huge American YouTuber, tweeted about binge-watching Simon Anthony’s videos because they helped him relax.
The video reached millions, and it kept climbing.
A Growing Puzzle World
As the channel continued to grow, Simon Anthony and Mark Goodliffe increased their work. They started posting two videos every day. Puzzle creators from all over the world began sending their best ideas. Viewers from the United States, the UK, and many other places tuned in to watch.
The channel also launched puzzle apps and fun merchandise. What started in a spare room in Surrey became a global community of logic puzzle fans. And through all this, Simon stayed the same calm, friendly solver who seems genuinely amazed every time a puzzle breaks open.
How Simon Anthony Built a Warm and Global Puzzle Community
As the audience grew, something even more meaningful started happening. People began writing messages saying the videos helped them feel calm at night. Some said they watched Simon Anthony while dealing with stress, fear, or long days alone at home. Others said the soft voice, the slow steps, and the “aha moments” made them smile again. It showed that puzzles were not only fun. They were healing too.
This was one of the reasons the channel turned into a kind of online home for many viewers. People from the United States, the United Kingdom, and all over the world gathered every day to watch a peaceful puzzle being solved. It did not matter if the puzzle was easy or hard. Many people just liked being there, listening, thinking, and feeling a little lighter.
A Solver with Skill, Heart, and Patience
Even before YouTube fame, Simon Anthony was not new to the puzzle world. He had competed in the World Sudoku Championship and World Puzzle Championship as part of the UK team. These events bring together some of the best puzzle solvers in the world. So his skill was already at a very high level long before the channel went viral.
But what made Simon special was not only his talent. It was the way he talked through every step. He never rushed. He never tried to make himself sound smarter. He explained things in simple words that anyone could follow. This made even very hard puzzles feel friendly. It also helped new viewers feel brave enough to try solving puzzles on their own.
Many people say that watching Simon Anthony solve a puzzle feels like sitting next to a patient friend who wants you to enjoy the moment. This feeling is rare online, and it is one of the main reasons the channel became so popular.
A Partner Who Shares the Same Love
Of course, the story of Cracking the Cryptic is not complete without Mark Goodliffe. Mark is also an expert solver and a long-time friend of Simon. They met many years ago at a crossword event. Over time, they found that they both loved logic puzzles and wanted to share that joy with others.
Mark’s videos have their own charm and style. He is calm, kind, and very clear, just like Simon. When viewers switch between the two, they get the same warm feeling. Their teamwork is one of the strongest parts of the channel. It also keeps the content fresh and fun.
Together, they have built a space where puzzle lovers of all ages can learn, relax, and enjoy pure logic. Their friendship and shared passion make the channel feel like something special.
More Than Just YouTube Videos
With the rising interest in puzzles, the channel expanded in new ways. Simon and Mark created puzzle apps that let people solve unique puzzles right on their phones. They also released merchandise, including shirts, mugs, and other small items that fans enjoy. These things helped the channel grow into a full puzzle brand.
They also kept posting two videos every day. This made the channel feel alive. There was always something new to watch, and many viewers made it part of their daily routine. Some watched with morning coffee. Others watched at night to relax. A few even watched while studying or working, using the calm sounds as background focus.
This steady rhythm built a strong bond with the audience. It made the channel feel more like a community than a simple YouTube page.
The Reach of Simon Anthony Across the Web
The internet helped spread the magic far beyond the puzzle world. Writers, TV personalities, and even celebrities shared their love for the channel. Dana Schwartz, a well-known author, said she could not stop watching the Miracle Sudoku. Alex Bellos, a famous puzzle writer, shared it with his readers. Even James Charles, one of the biggest names on YouTube, posted about binge-watching the videos.
This wide support brought new viewers every day. Some came for the puzzles. Others came for the calming feeling. Many stayed for both.
Through all this, Simon Anthony kept the same humble and thankful tone. He often said he did not fully understand how the channel became so big. But he was grateful for every viewer and every message.
A Story That Inspires Many
The journey of Simon Anthony is more than a story about puzzles. It is a story about taking a chance. It is about leaving something that wears you down and choosing something that brings joy. It is about turning a simple love — solving a sudoku — into a life that matters to millions of people.
His story inspires many people who feel stuck or afraid of making a big change. It shows that sometimes the most unexpected path becomes the right one. It also shows that gentle, honest content still has a place online. You do not need noise, drama, or tricks. Often, you just need passion and kindness.
Today, Simon Anthony continues to solve puzzles from his home in Surrey, and millions still tune in. They watch for the logic, the peace, the small surprises, and the warm feeling his videos bring. And in a world that often feels loud and fast, that simple joy has become something truly valuable.
