In a sweltering desert that might lead to dehydration, a constantly drizzling rain forest getting on nerves or a deserted island seems impossible to stay alive. There is one who has always been capable of getting out of where that is hard to find the direction. No matter what a tough situation he is in, the extraction vehicle never leaves without him. And, you know whom we are talking about. Bear Grylls OBE. A man who was honored with the Order of the British Empire, a prestigious medal given by The Queen.
A life full of adventure
As the most recognized face of the outdoor world, his actual name is Edward Michael Grylls and born on June 7, 1974, in the Isle of Wight, England. The name ‘Bear’ is because of his sister who dubbed him when he was just a week old. A characteristic nickname that would stick for life, pushing him into experiencing many limitless challenges even most people couldn’t imagine. Joining the SAS unit of the British Army, becoming one of the youngest climbers ever to climb Mount Everest at his 23th age or simply trekking with an American President. Yes, you heard right. 44th. President of United States Barack Obama featured as a guest in ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls’.
What turned Bear into an iconic figure was a free-fall parachuting accident that happened in his military years. He broke his back in three places and had to leave the army where he perfected many of the survival skills he had begun to develop from early ages when climbing and sailing with his father started. After pulling through, a pair of records broken in the Himalayas introduced him to us with a sensational Emmy Award-nominated TV series watched by a billion people over seven seasons. ‘Men vs. Wild‘.
Running wild with Bear Grylls
In his next programme ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls‘, he also dragged some famous faces such as Kate Winslet, Roger Federer and Ben Stiller to the adventures took part in the great outdoors. So, he likes to have company since he had led a team including one of his childhood friend so as to cross the north Atlantic Ocean using an inflatable boat with an unassisted way in 2003. Moreover, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, was his another politician buddy whom they together paced the Himalayan foothills in a special episode of ‘Man vs. Wild‘. Yet, the company he enjoyed most was his wife Shara. According to his autobiography ‘Mud, Sweat & Tears‘, she was as unflinching as him and impressed Bear the first weekend they met showing her courage during a hiking session.
After all, he received what he deserved. Reputation, respect and awards. Bear Grylls, a man of firsts, is seen as the best survival expert by the whole world. No doubt. He was prized so:
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( ‘OBE’ )
- The honorary rank of Colonel in the Royal Marines Commandos
- Chief Scout of the United Kingdom ( the youngest ever, at age 35 )
- Chief Ambassador to the World Scout Organization
- Two BAFTAS for the series ‘The Island with Bear Grylls‘
Besides, we didn’t mention his own outdoor gear collection, Survival Academy to teach what he knows or the books he published to write them experiences down yet. Exceptional contributions he has been making to the community we all adventurers are in will never stop. It is Bear Grylls. The man of action, the man of survival.
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