Sometimes the most extraordinary achievements come from the simplest moments of childhood joy. Ten-year-old Lily Youngblood from Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood has captured hearts and headlines by setting a remarkable kids' world record—and her journey is as inspiring as it is impressive.

On October 6, 2025, Lily picked up a pogo stick for the very first time. Just three days later, she bounced her way into the record books with an astounding one hour and seven minutes of continuous jumping, earning recognition from Kids World Records, a Canada-based organization that celebrates young achievers worldwide.

What makes Lily's accomplishment even more special is the vintage pogo stick she used, borrowed from her friend Joe Blackburn, and the pure determination that drove her to succeed. "The thing is, with me when I put my mind to it, I need to do it," Lily explained with the kind of confidence that inspires others to dream big.

Lily's mother, Laura Engel, beams with pride when describing her daughter's adventurous spirit. "Lily's always been an adventurous kind of daredevil," Engel shared. "When she sets her mind to something, she's very dedicated to the cause." It's this dedication that transformed a beginner into a record-holder in less than a week.

The young record-breaker's journey wasn't without its challenges. After discovering that the existing record stood at 49 minutes, Lily initially beat it without recording the attempt. Undeterred, she tried again after learning another girl had set a new mark of 55 minutes. This time, Lily aimed even higher—targeting the boys' record of one hour, five minutes, and thirty seconds.

With Taylor Swift songs providing the soundtrack and an iPad capturing every bounce, Lily entered a zone that many athletes describe as "flow." "Halfway through, at around 30 minutes, you don't feel like you're doing it anymore," she recalled. "Like, you're just bouncing, and you almost feel like you can bounce forever."

The physical toll was real—Lily's legs felt like "Jello" afterward, and she needed a week to recover. But the experience only fueled her ambition. She's already planning to attempt two straight hours of jumping this spring, proving that one record is just the beginning.

What's particularly heartwarming is how Lily has embraced the "6-7 craze" (referencing the numbers in her 67-minute record) while staying grounded and selective about sharing her achievement. Her next goal? Breaking the upside-down bar hang record of 14 minutes and 13 seconds. "Most people say I'm a monkey," she said with a laugh. "I think I can beat that."

Lily Youngblood's story reminds us that age is no barrier to achievement, that dedication can turn dreams into reality in remarkably short time, and that sometimes the most joyful pursuits lead to the most extraordinary outcomes. This Del Ray dynamo is proof that when children are encouraged to pursue their passions with determination and support, they can literally bounce their way to greatness.