Nearly 6 years ago, a young man, feeling down and slightly drunk, decided to publish a video on YouTube. In it, he spoke about how much he suffers from his appearance and how lonely he feels. By now, he is happily married.
What kind of video was it? On January 26, 2018, a young Swede, under the name “Never Give Up”, talked on YouTube about his experience of being “ugly”. He reported on insults and rejection he had faced throughout his life because of his appearance. He had never received a genuine compliment.
On YouTube, he searched for videos of people like him, as Never Give Up stated, but he only found content from good-looking people, which only intensified his feelings of loneliness.
The video received over 20.5 million views and numerous comments. Many viewers could identify with Never Give Up, thanked him for his honesty, and shared their own experiences.
Never Give Up shows why you should never give up
How did the video change his life? After Never Give Up’s video went viral, he began to publish updates at irregular intervals, responding to comments, sharing about his life, or voicing his opinions on various topics. Additionally, he started live-streaming, where he played games or chatted with his viewers.
Among those whom Never Give Up reached with his video was an American woman who went by the name “Lullaby” online. They began talking over Discord before meeting in person and entering into a relationship.
However, the young man also reported health problems and ups and downs in his life.
How is he doing today? In 2022, four years after his original video, Never Give Up’s life changed drastically once again: In a video, he announced his breakup with Lullaby and talked about his experiences with heartbreak.
Still, in the same year, a new comment appeared under the video that started it all. “I actually find you quite cute, to be honest. I really mean it,” wrote a viewer named “Juli”. The comment can still be found pinned under the video.
From the comment, chats eventually emerged, where Juli shared her own worries, and the two grew closer. After a few months of a long-distance relationship, Juli traveled to Sweden to be with Never Give Up.
In 2023, the two got married and moved into a shared apartment. In another video, the couple talks about the past year. It is clear to see how much happier Never Give Up is with his life compared to before.
In the comments under the newer videos, where the young man showcases his wedding, his wife, and their new apartment, viewers celebrate with him. Many recount how they stumbled upon his videos years ago and are now filled with joy to see how his life has changed:
- LunA-tn7ot: “You are truly inspiring. Seeing your progress over the years, and how you have grown as a man, makes me so damn happy for you.”
- kw7814: “I remember watching your video 5 years ago and feeling absolutely terrible for you and what you went through. And today, you are married. That’s why you should never give up, no matter what.”
- masface6: “He made it. Congratulations, Dude. I remember commenting on your original video 3 years ago. True love has been found.”
How much life can change through online connections is something MeinMMO author Kevin Nielsen has also experienced: Thanks to the love for MMOs, I’ve found the love of my life
