Bear Grylls

At 07.22am, on May 26th, 1998, Bear Grylls became The Youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest at only 23. The actual ascent of Everest took ninety days enduring extreme weather, two months of limited sleep and running out of oxygen in the upper regions of the ‘death zone’ (above 26,000 feet). Bear joins only thirty British climbers to have successfully completed climbing Everest and return alive. Every year the death toll on Mount Everest rises, for every six mountaineers who make it to the top, one will die. On the way down from his first reconnaissance climb, Bear cheated death navigating the perilous Khumbu Icefall, the ice cracked and he fell into a crevasse that was 1,000 feet deep, was knocked unconscious and had it not been for the tenacity of his teammates he would not be alive today. This incident was dramatised as part of the award winning, ‘Sure For Men/Rexona’ advertising campaign, which starred Bear and was broadcast worldwide. Bear’s book, ‘Facing Up’ soared into the best seller list and has sold over 50,000 copies in the UK alone, it is published in America under the title, ‘The Kid Who Climbed Everest’.

In August 2003, Bear led the first crew to cross the Atlantic via the Arctic Circle in an open rigid inflatable boat, in aid of The Prince’s Trust. This expedition is the subject of his latest book, ‘Facing The Frozen Ocean’ which was published by Macmillan in 2004.

Two years before he climbed Everest he suffered a near fatal parachuting accident in Africa. He broke his back in three places and narrowly escaped being paralysed for life. He spent a torturous year convalescing, constantly facing the fact that he might never be fit enough to attempt his childhood dream of climbing Everest. Despite moments of great pain and despair, Bear worked hard to regain full mobility and together with a team of friends he planned his expedition. With characteristic determination and charm he raised the enormous sponsorship needed and began training for the daunting challenge.

Bear spent three years as a Specialist Combat Survival Instructor and Patrol Medic with the British Special Forces. In September 1997, he became the Youngest Briton to climb Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas (22,500 feet), a peak described by Sir Edmond Hillary as ‘unclimbable’.

As a keen environmentalist, he led the first team to Jet Ski around Britain testing a pioneering new fuel made from rubbish and owns a nature reserve on an island, off the Welsh coast. When he is not on his island, Bear lives on a houseboat in London with his wife Shara, baby Jesse and Nima the Labrador.

His natural talent for communicating and entertaining on all levels with everyone and anyone has made him a popular personality in his own right. In 2004 he was picked by Channel 4 to present their action/adventure programming starting with a series ‘Escape To The Legion’.

As one of the youngest motivational speakers on the international business circuit, Bear has won over even the toughest of audiences and has a list of extremely impressive references to his credit.

Teamwork

Where he talks about the human bonds that tie people together when the chips are really down. About what it really means to have your life depending on a slender rope between you and your teammate. The ability to work together under such harrowing conditions as 28,000 ft above sea-level, in -40 degrees Celsius. And how crucial a role honesty, integrity and trust plays when your lives hang precariously in the balance.

Motivation

Bear’s story focuses on that ability to find something special, deep inside, when it matters – not a transient, chest-beating form of motivation that fades when the going gets tough, but the discovery of a core drive, that sustains you through the darkest times. An instinct to achieve. A quiet strength. The realization that no-one is super-human, but that we are all fragile- but also understanding that as humans we are built to excel. It is about finding that little bit ‘extra’; that vital word that makes the difference between the ordinary and the ‘extra’ordinary.

Leadership

A realization that the qualities needed for effective leadership can be learnt. That real leader’s inspire a feel-good factor around them; you want to be with them regardless. That we all perform better when we are appreciated and encouraged and valued. That leader’s think bigger, and differently. They inspire those around them to go that little bit further, to perform that little bit better, and feel that little bit stronger.

Bear has lead numerous expeditions now and shares the keys to his success – bringing the best out of the people whose lives are in the balance with him. His story is of leadership put to the ultimate test.

Communication

Bear is only too aware that an effective team on a high mountain relies on honest communication. Having a shared purpose, a culture of can-do and want-to; rather than politics or one-up-man-ship. Encouraging faith in each other, encouraging trust, and an ability to share weaknesses as well as strengths. An awareness that vulnerability creates bonds, and where there are bonds there is strength. A determination to make it together, where humility is a virtue and kindness really matters.

Inspiration

That we all have our own Everest’s in our lives. Bear’s story is really about applying those simple qualities that kept him alive and that helped him become one of the few, or as Bear often says, “one of the ‘lucky’ on Everest.” It’s a story about knowing that the harder we try and the more of our heart we put into things, the luckier we all become. It is about not being afraid to be close to those around you, and about each of our ability to make a positive difference. That each of us is special and has that strength to reach our own summits.

If Bear made it to the top of the physical world, despite the horrendous odds, statistics, pitfalls, and even a broken back in three places only two years earlier… then we too can reach the highest peaks in our lives.

"I have never had such a positive reaction to a guest speaker before, the team were simply enthralled...an inspiration to all who listened! Somehow you still managed to make the challenges we face in our jobs relevant on a personal level to yours". — TRADING DIRECTOR, COCA COLA ENTERPRISES LTD

"There are precious few people in this world who can really make a difference in a positive way, you are one. Many thanks for all you are doing for BA. It is so good for our people to hear and learn from someone who has done so much in a world so different from ours." — CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BRITISH AIRWAYS

"Your talk went down extremely well with all of our audience, I received special thank you letters from the Chief Executives saying that your speech was the most entertaining we have had to date. One of the best speakers we've had in years!" — PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS

"Bear was exceptionally well received by the audience; we thought he scored 10 out of 10." — BP INTERNATIONAL