Have you ever played with Jenga?
Auldin Maxwell’s got a special talent for stacking Jenga blocks, which not only earned him two record titles...
But also inspired a CHRISTMAS MOVIE! How cool is that?🤩
It all started in November 2020, when he went viral online by successfully balancing 693 Jenga blocks on top of each other and earned the record title for the most Jenga blocks stacked on one vertical Jenga block.
Later on, he decided to break his own record by stacking more than double the amount of Jenga blocks - 1,840 - on one vertical block! 🤯
But he didn't stop there...
Today, at the age of 15, Auldin also balanced 900 giant Jenga blocks on A SINGLE block, earning an additional record title for the most Jenga GIANT blocks stacked on one vertical Jenga GIANT block.
But how did he inspire the movie A World Record Christmas? 🎥
Well, his story is actually very interesting...
Auldin, who is on the autism spectrum, discovered his incredible talent very randomly.
“I had one or two Jenga sets, and I just started building different designs and came up with stacking ideas,” he told us.
After doing some stacking, I came across videos of different Jenga block records, and I realized that I had enough Jenga blocks to attempt to break the most Jenga blocks stacked on one vertical Jenga block record.
Auldin had always wanted to break a record, so he decided to go for it! 💪
Even though he surely had a natural talent for stacking the blocks, that wasn't enough to achieve record-breaking results, so he also had to come up with a couple of different tricks and tactics. 🤓
As he explained, the most difficult part of stacking the Jenga blocks was forming a sturdy base to ensure the perfect balance.
And, after breaking his first record, Auldin just knew he needed to keep going!
“When I got my first record, I knew I had more in me. I kept running out of Jenga blocks, which motivated me to push myself further,” he explained.
“I kept buying Jenga boxes until I found the number where I needed to practise a little more. That number turned out to be around 1,400, and with that, I earned my second record!”
But what is so special about Jenga?
According to Auldin, it's their versatility - he doesn’t see them as just a game, but as tools with which he can build anything he wants!
“It’s like having a unique set of blocks that allows endless creativity,” he said. “For me, it’s an engineering challenge, and using them really taps into my creativity!”
To prepare for each attempt, Auldin likes to mentally prepare with fun activities like riding his unicycle or playing basketball with his stepdad... you know, to calm his nerves! 🤪
He also listens to music while attempting the records, which helps him focus better and spend the time more enjoyably.
When a tower topples over or when Auldin feels that it might collapse, he will take a break for 30 minutes or even an hour. He takes all the time he needs to relax and come back stronger!
What helps you relax when you're nervous?
“During this time, I reset my mind and pretend that I never built that tower,” he explained.
It helps me approach it with a fresh perspective.
Auldin says that one of the best parts of his stacking records is getting to see people's reactions of excitement!
“I get lots of amazing reactions from my little cousins, and they always go to school bragging about me to their friends,” he said proudly.
“Some of my newer friends get pretty excited when they hear that I’ll be on the news or in a newspaper.”
Auldin is obviously super happy with his Guinness World Records titles and says that doing it felt like a dream come true! ❤️
Feel inspired? Here's a list of records you can break if you are under 16!
A World Record Christmas
Auldin’s amazing achievements have also inspired the Hallmark movie A World Record Christmas, that he will even appear in! 😮
In the movie, a boy named Charlie who is autistic, like Auldin, has made it his mission to set a Guinness World Records title by stacking 1,400 Jenga blocks.
His mother and stepfather encourage Charlie to chase his dream and, when they receive the news that he will have an opportunity to break the record on Christmas Eve, they organize a fundraiser where the townspeople donate and decorate a Jenga block, with the proceeds benefiting children with autism! 🎄
Even though he isn't an experienced actor, Auldin accepted the challenge of playing a small role in the movie, and did amazingly well!
Congratulations, Auldin, you are Officially Amazing. 🥳
* Images courtesy of Selina Metcalfe / Ihana Images
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