Motivational speaker's sweet message for Karl and Sarah

An Aussie who is now one of the most successful motivational speakers in the world has thanked Today for giving him a chance almost a decade ago.

The Resilience Project's Hugh van Cuylenburg told Karl and Sarah "he was a nobody" when Today had him on as a guest in 2014.

Since that time, he has delivered talks all over the world, his program is taught in schools across the country and he now has a new special on Prime Video.

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"Gratitude, empathy and mindfulness - that's what my whole show is about," Hugh told Today.

"I have been running around Australia for the last 14 years now boring people with these three things but they work, the research says they work and if you practice these things, it helps you feel happier."

Hugh said it is easy to get distracted by what is going on in the world these days, but we are surrounded by good things everywhere.

Despite his massive success, Hugh remains humble and even practiced what he preaches, giving a sweet shout out to Today for taking a chance on him early in his career.

"I tell you something, the Today Show makes me happy," he said.

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"Seriously, you guys were the first to get me on back in 2014 when I was a no one - I am still a no one, but you guys took a chance on me and had me on and it was a life-changing interview for me so it means a lot to be back here."

Hugh van Cuylenburg: GEM is streaming on Prime Video now.

See what else Hugh had to say in the video above

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