Oliver James didn’t got down to inspire and encourage others on TikTok, however that’s precisely what’s occurring.
The 35-year-old motivational speaker started to share his journey of studying the best way to learn to assist himself however rapidly realized it was serving to others on the similar time.
Oliver James Is Instructing Himself How To Learn And Sharing The Expertise
James started posting about his learning-to-read journey on TikTok again in October 2022 when he was 33 years previous. He merely stated, “What’s up? I can’t learn” and ran with it from there. With greater than 275,000 followers on TikTok and one other 60,500 on Instagram, he’s motivating many by being trustworthy about his studying struggles.
In only a 12 months, James has come a good distance in his journey. This previous October, he was honored by the Barbara Bush Basis for Household Literacy on the John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and skim from a teleprompter.
“I used to be nervous,” James informed PEOPLE. “However realizing that I used to be about to do one thing in entrance of all these people who I wasn’t excellent at was an thrilling sort of nervousness that I’ll always remember.”

His story is an inspiring one. Rising up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a single mom who struggled to make ends meet, James stated that life was extra about survival than schooling. He struggled with ADHD and studying disabilities and ended up graduating from highschool “with out realizing the best way to learn, and nobody cared.”
James spent his early 20s in jail for dealing firearms and when launched in 2014, he grew to become a health teacher and moved to California along with his girlfriend, who had no thought he couldn’t learn till he informed her across the time he started making TikTok movies about it.
“It was my largest secret,” James stated. “I stored it hidden from everybody.”
James now estimates he reads at a third-grade degree and simply completed studying his 81st guide.
“For many of my life, I by no means even thought of proudly owning a guide,” he stated. “Now, I’ve obtained two bookshelves full of about 300 books.”
Oliver James Shares His Studying Journey On TikTok

James has been sharing his very actual expertise studying the best way to learn on social media, even when occasions get robust.
In a video shared in June that’s pinned to the highest his TikTok web page, James opens up about how robust it may be to show himself the best way to learn.
“I began instructing myself the best way to learn, typically I really feel like that is the worst d— choice I made in my life,” he stated within the viral video. “Perhaps that is a part of the journey. Perhaps that’s why I’ve to doc it. So in two years individuals see me smiling about me studying as a result of I obtained via an element. However proper now, I don’t know if that’s true.”
The venting video continued to elucidate how life has been and that he’s having extra issues these days. With greater than 1 million views and greater than 20,000 feedback, it appears his vent is relatable to many.
@oliverspeaks1♬ unique sound – Oliver James
“Oliver be light with your self. You will have the proper to anger, to tears, to feeling. You will have the assist and love of many. You’re making lives higher🤗,” one viewer wrote. One other added, “It’s okay to vent. I’m glad you probably did. Take a deep breath. Take a break. Simply don’t surrender. The journey is well worth the wrestle.”
James dropped into the feedback to say, “Wow I can’t imagine this response I actually respect this y’all I’m undoubtedly altering for higher. 📚”
In one other video, James shared a time he was studying to a gaggle of scholars in kindergarten to 3rd grade.
@oliverspeaks1 Acquired a chance to learn to college students grade kindergarten via third #booktok #books ♬ unique sound – Oliver James
“Listening to an grownup say “I didn’t know what that was” or “I simply discovered that too!” is so necessary I find it irresistible,” one viewer wrote within the feedback. One other stated, “You will have discovered your function and it’s so stunning to look at. I can’t wait to see what the longer term holds for you. 💖”
