This Was The Worst (or Best?) Year Of My Life

[@corndawg42]

Love that your channel is basically you doing/talking about things that you're passionate about. Hard to find channels like that nowadays. Happy for your recovery.

[@RedUmbre]

all those hater comments he showed really were sour. people are so entitled to entertainment why can't I just love this dude and what he represents as a person like geez

[@Max-wl5ll]

Yeah like hank green! Which unfortunately also had a recent health scare, and ended up making him working on A LOT of things at once, including preforming live and releasing a book. Now that I think about it it's eerily similar :P

[@theinsightfulllama]

*Friendly reminder that if you plan to use Austin's affiliate link, make sure to uninstall the Honey browser extension if you have it!* It's recently come out that using it at the end of your purchase causes the commission from affiliate links to go to them instead of the creator. Just straight up swipes the money out from under them. So make sure to stay safe out there! It's amazing to see your recovery, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you get up to in the coming year and beyond. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

[@JHaven-lg7lj]

Thanks for reminding people of this, it’s disgusting how Honey (and, by extension, PayPal) has been stealing and lying in this way.

[@joddle23]

uninstalled when the news came out - thanks for spreading the word!

[@Brixster]

@@joddle23They have lost 3 million users since MegaLag's video. 20mil to 17 in a day. Thank you for your support and doing your part 🫡

[@BigFunnyGiant]

I don't know why it's taken this long. I could easily tell it was happening the very first time I tried using it and that was over a year ago.

[@sundayspecial2722]

That sounds like a crime. It likes stealing someone's tip. 😨

[@AdrianArmbruster]

Complaining about how a channel's now mid while the creator is laying in a hospital bed on death's door is maybe not the scummiest thing a consumer of free-to-them media can do, but it's gotta be in the top 10 right?

[@RyuuTenno]

top 5 for sure

[@quack9pm]

diabolical

[@davranbekrozmetov9425]

So true

[@FishManMovies]

People fr think internet creators owe them something 😭

[@Sound_Tech]

Dude, the attention economy is brutal. They can't blame him for the changes in his content, but you can't blame them for not continuing to watch either. It sucks, but it's reality

[@jobobminer8843]

"So I had a bad year... sponsored by Squarespace!" I'm happy that they were willing to support you even when it wasn't certain how things would turn out.

[@pattheplanter]

I am very impressed by how Squarespace have acted. Even if they are just pretending to be decent human beings - at least they know how, unlike so many corporates.

[@Lomhow]

This kind of content used to be completely fine on KZbin. But the algorithm screws over anyone who isnt uploading daily. You're a good dude, keep it up.

[@RichardMigneron]

🤣"... like a stressed out racoon hanging on to a trashcan in a hurricane" - had to pause to contain my laughter

[@Darmes3k]

As someone who has had more than one unwanted health curveball completely alter my life with each curve thrown, I am proud of you Austin for the thanks you gave to our heroic medical personnel, your family, friends, and that one stranger who asked to pray for you. I do not have the cranial ability to do what you do anymore (due to health curveball ball #1) but wow. I am blown away that even with your health scares, you have still accomplished so much. Keep pushing forward Austin. Hoping and praying your body will adapt, and that you will continue to heal and produce.

[@ActuallyRea]

Really beautiful video, glad you’re still kicking!!

[@rockincradilyyyy8489]

Didn’t expect to see you here

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

We could have lost a great KZbinr this year, I’m so grateful to have you around!

[@KenLieck]

The irony that he was dependent on tubes to keep him alive!

[@Jamiesonfrox]

Imagine being his wife…

[@Yesica1993]

I have thought of this many times. So glad he's still here and doing well. Answered prayer, for sure!

[@NadDew]

i have similar experience this year (not life threatening ) but life changing, i had complete retinal detachment in one eye , it happened so fast but so slow at the same time, my retina started bleeding and tearing up like it was like wallpaper and something invisible pulling it to pieces, piece by piece and i'm the only one who can see it to others my eye looked perfectly fine, and with every piece i lose my sight until i lost it completely, in two hours my eye turns from fine to completely blind , this two hours flipped my life (i think i have ptsd because i'm shaking and crying now) (im sorry english isn't my first language but i felt i had to share my experience) enjoy life and do good while you can you don't know what happens tomorrow or even the next hour. and for me i had a surgery that return 40-60% of my vision and i'm thankful for that

[@Yesica1993]

Aw, Chick Fil A lady praying for you made me all weepy. We love you, Austin!

[@jessestone117]

So lovely ❤️

[@Brixster]

As someone who works at a Chick-Fil-A, I cannot understate how amazing and generous people my coworkers are. They are all great people who want to make the world a better place, even if that involves selling fast food day to day. I'm so glad to hear Austin had those kinds of people in his life this year

[@jessestone117]

@@Brixster so encouraging to hear. Thank you for sharing

[@ectotide]

yeah, it was already a rather emotional video but that one line just completely broke me (/pos), especially with it being followed by "the only way out is through"

[@Coonotafoo]

Even as an atheist myself, I 100% would have let her pray with me. I like doing kind things for strangers, and I can understand that she's 100% doing so from the kindness of her own character. While the world might suck, it's those little kind gestures, these happy little experiences, that make you believe that there's still some good left in humanity. It reminds us that what separates us is often minor when compared to what we all have in common with each other.

[@MrBeast]

It’s so funny seeing how your content has changed over the years lol

[@austinmcconnell]

Right back at ya, MrBeast6000. 😂

[@Zichqec]

I know I'm just a stranger on the internet, but I'm just so glad to see you still alive and kicking, and making awesome stuff that you love. keep going man

[@floivanus]

My 13 year old son had heart surgery in April to treat his ToF that required replacing his Aortic valve, I agree that surgical staff are a god send, shout out to Children’s hospital in Milwaukee Wisconsin for being rockstars and treating us so well

[@Fredrick_Turner]

You made me cry when you were talking about your heroes

[@Fredrick_Turner]

W Squarespace btw

[@cyanmanta]

This year I finally achieved sobriety after being a massive closeted alcoholic for nearly 17 years. So on the one hand, my drinking got so bad this year that it started slowly killing me. But on the other hand, I stopped doing it, so now I can start to heal and reverse some of the damage. My heroes this year are the people who helped me reach that first step of recovery and taught me the coping skills I need to seek help on my own. Also, my family and friends who have supported my recovery since day one, and who mean the world to me.

[@lauragarrard919]

👊❤

[@perrybarton]

"The one way out, is through." Yup. Truer words were never spoken. You go, Austin! 😎

[@szebike]

I'm happy you clawed back to life so far and keep the fire going champ!

[@MrDeelightful]

I have similar feelings about my 2024. For what it's worth, your content about your medical trials and tribulations is what got me started watching your content. Seeing you go from that, to a stroke, to *performing in community theater* was really inspiring as someone with a mobility disability. I know how much mental and physical effort even small scale community theater is, both on stage and backstage, and I really respected you for going through with that. Keep it up.

[@MasterHand4444]

This video made me misty eyed. I’ve also been having a hard year in my own personal context, and the line that “the one way out is through” hit me so hard. Wonderful video. You’re an inspiration! One thing I’ve been learning that I’d like to share is that I’m learning to take things day by day, one day at a time. I can’t control the future and I’m not promised tomorrow, but I can choose today to be a better man than I was yesterday, and I can choose tomorrow should I visit there to be a better man than I am today. God bless Austin! Thank you for your vulnerability.

[@Fushiko]

Helping others is about lending them our strength when they don't have any left. Not belittling your effort in all of this by any stretch. I don't know that I'd be able to do what you did. I'm glad you pulled through it even if it wasn't unscathed. When your strength ran out, they lent you theirs. Been watching for years, and glad you're still with us.

[@play4dc]

As a rehab OT thank you for a lovely message and for sharing your journey. Once people return home we rarely get to see hows people's journey continues. Im blessed to help people relearn to wash themselves and get out of bed, but the real work happens at home when the professionals have all disappeared. You giving yourself difficult goals and constantly challenging yourself means I have no doubt you'll continue to improve your symptoms and more importantly as a person. I'm so amazed by your attitude and approach. P.s Keep using that mouse and doing some stretches, I cant think of a better task to improve fine motor hand function even if it probably drives you insane.

[@MrDeelightful]

@play4dc Agreed, and it's great to see a younger creator be so candid about their health problems. This kind of thing can strike anyone at any age, and I've personally found with my own health people don't understand how a young person could have an acute and/or ongoing health issue for no "reason", just biology going sideways.

[@likebot.]

You make amazing content, so it's no surprise to see people complaining about it. Most people have been conditioned to watching 45 seconds of half-second clips stitched together and played like a card slapping the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Your channel is perfect for folks like me who subscribe, watch only subscriptions and abstain from all other social media.

[@smokeyeyes__]

I didn't think I was going to cry this evening but... "Excuse me sir, it looks like you're having a rough day, can I pray with you?" got me. I'm not religious but just to experience that little act of kindness and compassion from a stranger must have meant the world. The algorithm set me onto this channel at around about the time you were first going into surgery, and through it all I'm so proud of where you are today.

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

I'm 53m had a stroke on Sept 1st, and was in the hospital room with an 84 y.o senior. His 59yo son came into the room and I got to know him over a couple days. He would sleep on the floor next to his father's hospital bed. One day he stopped me as I was trying to walk around the room and asked me if he could hold my hand and say a prayer for me. It was one of the greatest and most caring acts of kindness anyone has ever done for me, so I understand the "prayer" thing.

[@RuiBossTheOnly]

Hoping 2025 is a bit tamer for you than 2024. Well done.

[@tbd6]

Love this video. Like you, I've had a year of health challenges including open heart surgery (twice!) and a third major operation. Once again, your words mirror my thoughts, but way more articulately. Keep on fighting!

[@Yesica1993]

Glad you are still around also!

[@JHaven-lg7lj]

My husband has had similar challenges, and it looks like this year will be more of the same. But he’s still fighting, too - researching boats with more stability than he used to even think about so that he can keep on fishing, keeping tabs on what the grandkids are doing, and showing me every day how much he loves and values me, by accepting my help with the things he can’t do at the moment. Thank you for fighting so hard, Austin, and thank you to all the health professionals, loved ones, and strangers who help us keep going.

[@forbiddencollabs]

Thanks!

[@Coffeepanda294]

Thank you!

[@matthew-v7m3q]

i’m not religious, but if a stranger came up to me and said “excuse me, i can tell you’re having a rough day, may i pray with you?” i would break down in gratitude

[@n.stuckwisch4258]

God bless you in the new year, Austin! Love bring a fan of yours.

[@1952seb]

Austin--Thank you for the update. We love seeing your progress & drive, & look forward to seeing you in another SLT production! We'll keep praying for your recovery & health. Happy New Year!

[@Ike_of_pyke]

Thanks for pushing through your medical situation to keep making content , your speech sounds amazing and glad to see your progress.

[@artiscralabs3688]

Thank God, glad you’re good man. Love a good future.

[@henrygoogle4949]

Austin, this is the only way to fight against the effects of disease: remain active. If the same thing were to happen to me, I hope to have even half the amount of energy and accomplishments you managed this year. Bravo and keep it up!

[@evaschon7294]

You're my favorite KZbinr, Austin! Hoping that 2025 is kinder to you. 💓 I love your channel and videos and I'm looking forward to seeing what amazing, wacky things you come out with in the new year. 😁 God bless!!!

[@kierduros]

Seriously glad you're still around and doing what you're doing, dude. Keep on rockin' it.

[@spacecowboy2957]

That's quite the impressive lesson in humility, patience and perseverance. Thank you for sharing at the same time that I was in the hospital being treated for horrendous abdominal pain from kidney stones. It helps me put things into perspective.

[@nate_d376]

You're awesome! I'll be praying for you and your health.

[@MrGlotzTV]

Austin, I don't usually write comments on youtube, but I have been watching you a long time and the way you have gone through life is very inspiring to me. Not only did you go through a difficult phase of your life (the diagnosis and operation) but you came out stronger, more courageous and humbler. The way you take on challenges is what fascinates me about you. I wish you all the best for 2025!

[@HappyComfort]

Your mom must be relieved and deeply grateful that you are healing and that you made it through this very painful and rough time. If a parents child dies even as an adult, part of their heart dies too! But because of your determination to fight for better outcomes, her heart has great joy l would imagine! 🥰🌷🥰🌷🥳🥳🥳🥳👍

[@JKStudios42]

I'm glad you got through everything. I've loved your work for so long, and you've been a major inspiration for me trying to make my own animated show. Thank you for everything you've done, and I'm excited to see what's next!

[@Furby36]

Man, you are genuinely so strong. I can't imagine going through this. I have medical issues, and they are hard to deal with. But you, have it infinitely harder, and it brings me innumerable joy to see you doing so well! Much love.

[@therealjohngalaxy]

You are an inspiration! We are all so proud of you! ❤ Wish you a speedy recovery and a great year 2025!

[@4fives992]

I am thrilled that I get to end 2024 knowing that you made it through a very difficult part of your life and are still able to do all of these awesome things and share them with us. I can't wait to see what 2025 brings us both.

[@elYisusdelaNazza]

Happy new year to you too Austin, and may it be full of accomplishments and love!

[@Pupsker]

We're all just existing in 2024, glad you came out on top!

[@KyleFields]

Hey Austin, thanks for sharing the most difficult year of your life for others. Although not nearly as severe, I have dealt with chronic illness this entire year. It has been catastrophic to my health and well-being. But same as you, there have been so many good things to come out of 2024. A new job and city. Meeting new people, and flying international for the first time in 10 years. I appreciate you sharing your recovery journey because it shows how much we, as people, are able to crawl out of hardship, one grueling inch at a time. Thanks for sharing some hope and optimism. Your art and storytelling means a lot to a lot of people, including me. Thanks for making a difference.

[@0olilyo089]

Hey Austin, just remember we're still here with u. We're happy for you and proud of you 😊

[@grezlythabear]

Man, I've been following you for almost 3 years now. I cried what I found out you had a stroke, I'm so happy that you're doing better. I love you, man!

[@tythebard]

Hey Austin, just thought I'd put this here since I know you've said in the past you struggle with viewer to reader conversion, but I bought Brain Boy yesterday and wasn't able to put it down till I finished it, Excellent book, hard work does pay off.

[@wushiwushigander1959]

I've been following you since 2016. I love your content and what you do. 2024 has been a fever dream for a lot of us, and I am so glad that you are doing well . Let's hope for a better 2025 and best of luck!!!

[@astromonkey2]

Dude, Im glad you're still here. Love what you do. Thanks for being an inspiration.

[@nathanwood6707]

I’m consistently endeared by your humility, authenticity, and vulnerability. Thanks for bringing us along for your journey this year. Happy holidays!

[@AtentieCadMere]

I am a KZbinr, still I dream of becoming a carpenter :D a good one. Austin, I like your voice, modesty, general chill atmosphere and awe for the subject you are covering. Thanks for this video, and for sticking with life.

[@DuelingDexperts]

Austin I'm so glad i found your channel years ago with the ink cartridges video, I'm glad i kept coming back, and I'm glad your still here with us ❤.

[@RandallHallKaizenReiki]

Glad to see you are still fighting. You got this.

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

I would like to see more videos about your stroke recovery. I find them inspirational as I too suffered a stroke last Sept. 1st of this year. I'm walking and talking but dealing with feeling unbalance in my head and daily fatigue. I wish you well Austin.

[@allisonthabit7639]

As an (almost) music therapist and current rehab nursing home activities assistant hearing about how PT's, OT's, and other rehab professions helped people is always so inspiring to hear about. I'm a long time viewer and I'm so glad you're on the mend. This channel always helps keep me artistically inspired; I love seeing whatever unexpected thing comes next!

[@leethompson-kolar6333]

Your story is an inspiration, Austin. We should all strive to be as perseverant as you’ve been in 2024. Have you gotten used to the ticking yet? When you mentioned that before, I knew it would be a particularly aggravating part of the recovery.

[@wendyamsterdam8482]

I also want to thank all the medical staff that managed to keep you alive and help in your recovery❤️

[@nickray4562]

We've gotta give more love to the editing now i mean to edit it is one thing but to do it with a troubling dominate hand and possibly by yourself I just need to give the prize editing to this channel good work throughout this year and good luck for the future thanks for the good content

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Incredible video, Austin! So glad you have come through 2024 as well as you have. God Bless you, Brother!

[@artdonovandesign]

Wishing you the best, Austin. My mother in law used to say "it all changes on a dime". _Just a slight inattention going down the stairs can change life forever- your life and your loved ones_ Be well. Get well. We'll always watch you.

[@alvinpoly2781]

Love that you are doing what you really care about now and we would always be there to support you!

[@DA-vm7ex]

It’s the positivity that this video radiates that I’m thankful for right now. It warms my heart to hear of the kindness shown to you by a complete stranger

[@TheMArcanjo]

LFG man. Hope you get 100% soon and next year will be of high rewards!! You'll see

[@navinvent]

I finished gradschool, though i had a dream job, and first day of work got hit by a car and pushed into a truck, but I am recovering and will be joining a better job in February after this. The PT people are the best. But I also reconnected more with friends, and time off I was forced to helped me look inside and see what I want in life and around more clearly.

[@rulerofmonkeys1547]

You're recovery story has been truly inspiring to me 💖

[@Cherokee_Turner]

Cheers to another year! Hope everything gets easier for you form here.

[@nathan.loewen]

Hi Austin, just wanted to say that it's great to see you around and getting better! There are a lot of people here, who are with you on your journey, wherever it'll take you. Stay safe!

[@James68257]

I'm very thankful you are still with us, you should feel proud of the incredible progress you've made!

[@Koolkuteklever]

I only found your channel this years April fools video but all your videos so far have given me a little bit more hope in the world being a better place. So thank you for bringing some joy to a teenager across the globe!

[@sincerelyhallie777]

Yay, Austin! You have gone from such lows to such highs this year! I am so proud of your perseverance and positivity! It makes my heart so happy to see you thriving after such difficult battles! I was very worried for you and how your recovery would go. Congratulations on a transformative year!

[@MrAnt728]

I hope next year gets much better with less issues🙏🏽

[@lastnamefirstname8655]

this year definitely was one of them. crazy things happened to you, and yet you remain strong and on top. keep on being alive and as well as you can possibly be, austin mcconnell. i am happy that you are alive, austin mcconnell.

[@pomegranateofjustice5529]

Man, I love your content so much. I'm a teenager and don't have enough income to support you on patreon or anything, but I just want you to know that whenever I saw a new video of yours come out this year I got incredibly excited. Your passion and love for life are so admirable, and I'm so glad you're still alive and I've been able to come along and see the art you've created. Here's to another great year!

[@pauljakeman]

Austin you’re doing so so well with all of this. Most of us would struggle to do movies, theatre, and write a book without the health complications on top. Really proud of you man! I’m glad you had the care you needed. All the best for 2025 Austin! This is really inspiring and has geared me up for the new year!

[@invertedspoon]

don't go so hard on yourself Austin. i actually LOVED the cat-man short, and even if we won't be getting the full flick for a while, i'm still thankful for the half-hour episode. take care.

[@GuanoLad]

Amazing. Stories like this give me some hope.

[@TanyaHarries]

I've been here since your hp rewrites and I can just say, very happy and thankful that you're still here!! You are an inspiration in many ways, I hope you keep doing you and bringing us along in your artistic ventures. Hope next year is great for you, Austin!

[@rlhemenway]

Hey Austin! Keep kicking man! I am glad your here. Every video you put out is a joy. And I'm loving Brain Boy. I can't wait to see what else you come up with!

[@jonlittle5032]

People helping people - best message on or off line.

[@Daviticus042]

People who wear glasses (like me) are technically cyborgs. Also I've been in the hospital for almost three months now and I'm starting to think I might die here...of old age. You see my health issue is actually coming along quite well, but they found mould at my old apartment and I have to find a new place before I can leave. Make of that what you will.

[@omniwaffle5315]

Austin, your story and art helps keep me going. It seems I've missed a few things, so i had a nice little rollercoaster of your well being and recovery. Keep doin whatever you wanna be doin however you are most fulfilled doin it.

[@jevinday]

Knowing you and Rick Beato were getting heart surgery was part of the reason i felt ok getting my heart surgery in May (I'm now a cyborg as well). Watching you go through what you went through was a huge perspective shift for me, i realized how good i had it. Watching you recover how you have has been has been incredible. You are literally one of my role models now, no joke.

[@ultimadrago]

It's always good to hear from you, Austin. The start of my year was really rough, but following your health story has put a lot in perspective for me and has encouraged me to use my time to live life to the fullest and stop dragging my feet. So I traveled halfway across the world for vacation for a couple of weeks to experience and engage with a new culture and get away from my rut even for a while. Thanks for inspiring me and many other viewers and I hope for your continual recovery.

[@Red-Wolf-Ben]

Well, I'm crying now. Happy New Year, man. You're such an inspiration. I'm pretty sure I really, really needed to see this one.

[@heatherthedutch-american1481]

Thank you so much for what you do! I'm so glad you made it throughout this year and fought so hard to do it! You're an inspiration ❤

[@smartfortwo451]

We're still here, Austin! You still make me smile! Best regards!

[@cnpadds9000]

You’ve been a true inspiration in facing the difficulties of 2024. Wishing you a good 2025, Austin!

[@overtasked618]

Your video was beautifully written and honestly made me tear up. All the best for 2025 Austin.

[@tealomega2009]

Watching and rewatching your videos this year as been a real treat. Thank you so much for making such fun and inspiring videos, that must take so long. The rewatch ability of your videos is unmatched.

[@dcallan812]

Just keep going, if you stand still too long you wont move again. I broke my spine in an accident and in a wheelchair now, but I know if I dont do anything I set solid Best wishes for the New Year.

[@NiallMor]

Wow, Austin. I don't know what to say except I'm really glad I found your channel and I love hearing about all your journeys, personal and creative. You inspire me to set goals for myself and pursue them, to overcome challenges in my own life, and to be a better person. You are a good man. Keep doing all those great things you do.

[@batmanultra7]

I think the most inspiring thing about you Austin and there's a lot for as long as I've been watching your channel is that despite having something happen to you that could absolutely justify going on a year long vacation from KZbin you chose to do as many awesome and creatively fulfilling projects throughout the year, more than a lot of us probably do in multiple years much less one, so I commend you, sir! You inspire me to live a fuller, more adventurous life with every video and I encourage you to take care of yourself and have a wonderful rest of the year.

[@hawk79videos]

I'm glad you're doing better. Keep doing what you're doing. Love your videos.

[@brianmajerus]

Way to go Austin! Your video and ideas here encourage so many of us. Thanks for sharing your art and pain in life-giving ways!

[@NickMichalak]

I’m just glad you’re still with us and appearing to be active and managing your health well. I know it’s been practically traumatic and frightening, and I applaud your resilience and willingness to share your harrowing experiences with us. Here’s to hoping for a far more stable and happy 2025! Best wishes on a better road ahead, Austin.

[@TheMistOfThePast]

Strokes are so terrifying to me after seeing what my nonna went through. sending so much love. so amazing to here you speaking again.

[@TheWishDragon]

Mate, you really had us going for a while. You didn't have to upload when you were really struggling, but you did. A lot of people wouldn't do that, there are a lot of people who would suffer alone. You shared your story and asked for recommendations during your recovery, it takes so much strength to do that! Now I suppose you can probably now tell that a lot of your viewers are bluey fans haha. :) Thank you for uploading and sharing, even when things were tough. You've done so well with your recovery. It's been great to hear that you've gotten into a theatre as well. I look forward to seeing what you'll do in 2025. I'm glad you're still with us.