'Always pack a sense of humour'
'Always pack a sense of humour'
Adventurer Bear Grylls has a simple motto in life: Train hard. Fight easy. From learning bushcraft, building shelter deep into the wild, hunting for food to survive and eating goat testicles, this Briton has done it all. Known for his television series Man vs. Wild, Grylls teaches the art of survival in harsh landscapes in a survival academy he has recently opened.
He says, "Surviving life-threatening situations is a science of attitude, it can instill positivity, resourcefulness, energy and fire. The trick is in overcoming your fear. It's about making a decision, getting on and doing it." The man who has climbed cliffs, parachuted from helicopters, run through forest fires, eaten snakes, drunk urine saved in a rattlesnake skin, and eaten deer droppings, gives us a few lessons on survival.
Survival skills are your forte? How necessary is it as a quality in today's world?
We need to have definite plans to survive in life.There's a saying: 'No plan survives the first contact with the enemy'. In fact, I love it when things go wrong. I think the secret lies in thinking fast and with ingenuity. Be committed to yourself and your life goal. While facing tough situations in life, don't panic. It makes things worse. Try to be calm.
Your book, A Survival Guide for Life, inspires people to overcome their fears. What life lessons can you give those who look up to you?
Survival skills aren't taught in schools or written in textbooks. My motto is 'don't listen to dream stealers' or become over-enthusiastic. I teach people how to deal with adversity yet keep their character in today's cut-throat world. I tell people how to imbibe qualities of primal life. Dynamic self-rescue survival skills can save your life across a whole series of terrains.
What qualities should people hone to survive all odds?
Optimism, team work, initiative, courage, resourcefulness and determination. The kick for me is seeing people literally grow in stature and confidence as they learn many of the skills and attitudes in practice. It makes it all worthwhile. Adventure brings out the best and worst in people. The wild is unpredictable. However much we prepare, things sometimes go wrong, and that's true of life too. I encourage people to find the strength in themselves. We are much stronger than we think.
What are your five top tips for holidays on the wild side?
Be prepared. Go with good friends you trust and who are relaxed people. Have a backup plan. Pack a sense of humour.
How do you relax?
I take off with my family to our little island hideaway in North Wales. It has 20 acres of green and one small cottage. It's my heaven on earth.
Grylls' survival tips for life
Plan, execute goals, face danger, push your limits to sharpen your instincts
Chase the goal, not the money
Always say 'yes' to opportunities
Never give up
There is no education like adversity
You can't become a horseman until you have fallen off a horse
Don't worry too much
Tents don't repair themselves when things go wrong, set them right yourself
Paddle your own canoe
Don't assume too much
Dreams require sacrifice
Honour the journey, not the destination
To get, you have to learn to give
Humility is everything
Instinct is the nose of the mind, trust it
Laugh at yourself, a lot
Keep good company
Find a good guide
Seek out motivation
Money is like a river, it has to flow
Be a volunteer
Keep grounded
Learn courage
Take care of your possessions
Use time wisely
Everytime you surprise yourself, you inspire yourself
Do not judge someone by their status
Let others shine
Be cheerful in adversity
When you go through hell, keep going
Ask yourself, what makes you smile
Success is about embracing tears and heartaches
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