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NEED TO KNOW
- Caleb Stewart, now 11, became the world’s youngest motivational speaker when he was 3 years old
- His first speech, given at a Florida church, centered around the importance of self-belief
- Caleb now dreams of being an educator and founding his own school
The boy who holds the record for being the world’s youngest motivational speaker is opening up about the first time he spoke in public — and what his go-to advice for others is now.
Caleb Stewart, now 11, set the record at the age of 3 years and 307 days, according to Guinness World Records.
He gave his first speech at the ALARM International Church in Tallahassee, and it centered around the importance of self-belief.
“Everyone stood up for me, and I felt proud of myself. It felt really good to see how I made an impact and inspired everyone,” Stewart told Guinness World Records, recalling the moment.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
Caleb later gave his second speech at Raa Middle School in the Florida city, during a teacher training event.
A video of the moment — which shows Caleb standing on a table while speaking to school staff about the benefits of reading and dreaming big — went viral at the time.
Since then, Caleb, who writes all of his own speeches, has continued to speak at schools, churches and community events, with a focus on encouraging other kids to achieve their goals.
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As for his main advice for those who listen to his messages? “Find something you are good at and work hard at it,” Caleb told Guinness World Records.
He also shared his advice for public speaking in general, stating: “Be confident, be calm, and if you mess up, keep going. Speak loud and clear.”
In addition to public speaking, Caleb, who is homeschooled and began reading at just 2 years old, has made it his personal mission to make sure other kids have access to books.
He established a pop-up nonprofit library in his community, donating his own books and other learning materials to local children.
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“[I wanted them to know that] if I can do it, they can do it too,” he told Guinness World Records.
The child added that he would eventually like to work in education and literacy coaching, while continuing his motivational speaking. He also dreams of founding his own school someday.
