It’s truly inspiring when someone achieves something that seems beyond their reach. Such accomplishments often become a lasting source of pride and motivation.
Take 10-year-old Brynjar Karl Bigisson from Iceland, for example. Fueled by his deep obsession with ships, he set himself an extraordinary goal: to build a Lego replica of the Titanic. But Brynjar didn’t just want any model—he aimed to create a record-breaking masterpiece.
Brynjar’s passion for ships runs deep, and the Titanic quickly became his favorite. He dove into endless online research, soaking up every detail he could find. Over time, this fascination grew into a full-blown obsession with building a replica of the legendary ship.
Brynjar attributes part of this obsession to his autism. Struggling with social interactions, he often found it easier to play alone. For him, Lego bricks weren’t just toys — they became a vital source of focus and comfort.
“LEGO has been an important part of my life since a very early age,” Brynjar shared. “Because of my poor social and communication skills, I was often by myself, so LEGO bricks became my best friends. While building, I was using and developing my imagination and creativity. I don’t remember feeling lonely — I was too busy building something.”
Soon, Brynjar was hard at work on his Titanic replica. But building a 7-meter (26-foot) model was no small feat, and he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He reached out to his mother and grandfather for support.
“Obviously, I wasn’t going to build the 7-meter-long model all by myself. I needed to convince some key people in my life to help me,” he explained. “My grandfather, Lulli, helped me create special LEGO instructions based on the real Titanic blueprints. My mother helped me set up a crowdfunding page, so I could raise the money needed to buy the LEGO bricks.”
Brynjar dedicated 11 months to building the Titanic replica, often spending three to four hours every day after school meticulously assembling the pieces. Slowly but surely, the model took shape—and when it was finished, it surpassed everyone’s expectations.
For Brynjar, this project was far more than just building with LEGO bricks; it became a powerful life lesson. “When you’re allowed to develop your skills through your interests, you become stronger,” he reflected. “I’ve had that opportunity, and now there’s nothing I can’t achieve if I focus on it. This message means a lot to me.”
He also shared that the keys to accomplishing something great are believing in yourself, having a strong support team, and never giving up. Brynjar even turned this inspiring journey into a TED Talk, which you can watch below: