Bear Grylls: "Life doesn't happen on television"

Bear Grylls speaks: The amiable Brit is globally the most famous face when it comes to survival, thanks to his witty and informative television series. Several years ago at the OUTDOOR trade fair in Friedrichshafen, the former SAS elite soldier presented his clothing and equipment line and also answered questions we could ask him.

SPARTANAT: In cooperation with Gerber or Grashoppers, you have developed outdoor products. What is the most important tool to have outdoors?

Bear Grylls: Products, no matter how good, are always just a reflection of us. Our mind is certainly the most important tool we have. Equipment is useful, but we must know how to use it. And we only learn that through experience.

SPARTANAT: You have become the epitome of wilderness survival through TV shows like "Man vs. Wild," "Worst Case Scenario," and "Get out alive." What is your approach?

Bear Grylls: For me, it is crucial that I love what I do. This allows me to inspire others for the wilderness and outdoor life. Courage is one thing, but humor must also be included. And it doesn't have to be Everest - adventure often happens right in our own backyards.

Desert or jungle - which is more unpleasant for you?

SPARTANAT: Bear Grylls: Snakes or scorpions don't bother me. What's much harder for me is being away from my family a lot for film projects. A good part of film shootings is about hardship and struggle. And I'm not really someone who likes to exert myself - even though I sometimes give off that impression (smiles). But my attitude is positive, even when things get tough. And adventure only truly begins when your own plan fails.

SPARTANAT: There is survival and there is Bushcraft. Where do you see the difference?

Bear Grylls: Survival, for me, has a lot to do with "worst case scenarios": I have to improvise, everything happens quickly and is very intense. So I have to come down a 500-meter wall with only a shoelace and a dead squirrel at my disposal... Survival is definitely my thing.

With Bushcraft, it's much more about finding the perfect spot in nature. For hunting, I don't just have any trap, I build really great, high-quality arrows. Everything is very deliberate, well-planned, and we are on the safe side. So these are two different approaches to the wilderness, but they both fit wonderfully into the same world.

SPARTANAT: What do you teach your children?

Bear Grylls: I don't have to motivate them, but rather hold them back. I have three boys and they love adventure! We live on a small island, in a wild area off Wales. We often have to fetch water ourselves and don't always have electricity. But we go kayaking in the sea, sleep outside, look for animals, and climb the cliffs. We also travel a lot together and I enjoy taking them on shoots around the world.

You also operate the "Bear Grylls Survival Academy." How is that going?

SPARTANAT: Bear Grylls: Very well! We have been active in England, the USA, and Africa for one and a half years and offer a wide range of formats - from family courses to instructor seminars. I love how people are inspired there and what stories they experience when they leave their comfort zone. Life doesn't happen on television. And I have the pleasure of experiencing a lot in my life with great people.

Bear Grylls online: www.beargrylls.com