I am Bear Grylls. Ask me Anything.

Thank You Reddit! It's been fun.

See all my responses at http://theadrenalist.com/

Comments: 6295 • Responses: 29  • Date: 

ProbablyHittingOnYou2032 karma

First, Mr. Grylls has pre-confirmed this with the admins and mods, so there's no need to request proof

I’d like to remind people that we’re lucky to have such a notable person come do an IAmA and that we shouldn’t stomp all over that privilege by ruining this IAmA with a flood of “HAHAHA how does piss taste, LOL!” comments. Mr Grylls has a long, and pretty fucking interesting, list of accomplishments, and also has the misfortune of being the subject of an internet meme. Let’s focus more on the former and less on the latter.

So, my questions to you:

  1. What achievement of yours are you most proud of?
  2. Why’d you change your name to “Bear”? Was it a nickname, or was “Edward” not hardcore enough?
  3. What’s the best “Holy shit I am going to die now” story you’ve got, and how did you get out of it?

TheAdrenalist1532 karma

What am I most proud of? Here's my answer:

http://theadrenalist.com/adventure/adventurers/what-are-you-most-proud-of/

SushiRoe1426 karma

This question might get lost in this AMA, but there was a video that was posted here long ago where Bear outruns a train when going through a tunnel, and to this day I do not know if it's real or fake, especially with the way CGI has become so much more advanced. So, Mr. Grylls, is this real?! I will not think any less of you and your crazy antics in the wild regardless of the answer.

Video in question is here

TheAdrenalist1873 karma

real train, real tunnel, real new underpants needed afterwards!

Maybs39231083 karma

How do you view Les Stroud? As a competitor in the survival-tv-show industry or as a friend and "coworker"?

TheUnwashedMasses959 karma

What's your favorite hobby other than surviving?

TheAdrenalist1609 karma

Playing guitar with my kids.

TellMeYMrBlueSky224 karma

Do you play any other instruments besides guitar?

TheAdrenalist556 karma

piano...badly!

gvoakes825 karma

What was the least favorite thing you've ever forced yourself to eat? And what was the most surprisingly good thing you've ever eaten in the wild?

tankengine1761 karma

What scenario did you come across while filming that was completely unexpected and really caught you off-guard?

TheAdrenalist1068 karma

rockfalls have often caught us out unexpectedly- Ian one of our crew got caught in a nasty one in NZ recently and broke 6 ribs. But he is mending now! Just got to be careful always and look out for each other I guess.

abedatemydog495 karma

Have you ever felt like the situation was too dangerous to continue? Are there unfinished episodes for this reason?

TheAdrenalist918 karma

to be honest sometimes I have definitely felt nervous about going on (especially if one of us have had a particularly close call - which has happened quite a bit!), but I have learnt that it is fine to feel like that- you gotta then put your head down and keep going- and that attitude has helped me so often.

Here's some advice: http://theadrenalist.com/adventure/adventurers/if-you-only-had-one-piece-of-advice-for-the-wild-what-would-it-be/

gmpalmer621 karma

What three things should you keep always on your person and why?

geyserpj586 karma

Im an eagle scout. whats your take on the scouts. i will not be offended in anyway. just curious?

TheAdrenalist1030 karma

an incredible worldwide force for good - we have 28 millions scouts now and growing every day. It is all about encouraging young folk to LOVE adventure! Am super proud to be Chief Scout for sure.

KidxA580 karma

Do you feel your camera man gets the recognition he deserves? Always wondered how he does all the same things, but whilst holding a camera. It impresses me.

TheAdrenalist1090 karma

yep he's a very nice handsome dude. (by the way he is here with me in the studio and I am answering this under duress!!!!!)

Rollout486 karma

With the camera/support team with you all the time, do you really ever feel like you are in danger? I think I would react differently to situations if I did not have a safety net, do you?

mc66a420 karma

Also, is the cameraman basically doing the same intense things as you but with a camera on his shoulder?

TheAdrenalist818 karma

Is the cameraman doing the same thing? Let's hear from him:

http://theadrenalist.com/adventure/adventurers/is-the-cameraman-forced-to-do-everything-that-you-do/

teetheyes249 karma

There should be a show about just the cameramen in shows like this. It would be on the history channel.

Recoil1480 karma

What did you find was the hardest location to survive and film in the 'Man Vs Wild' series?

chrisw61465 karma

What sort of training do you do to keep yourself in shape (both mentally and physically) for these sort of adventures?

mattrox217429 karma

Huge, huge fan here, both of your outdoors skills and your boldness in your faith, a few questions.

  • What did it feel like to summit Everest?

  • Who's one of your heroes?

  • Do you ever drink your piss just for, you know, fun?

  • Any plans to do any speaking in or around Florida anytime soon?

  • What's your favorite place in the world?

  • What, would you say, is (or are some of) your greatest achievement(s)?

TheAdrenalist691 karma

quick fires for you! What did it feel like to summit Everest?... cold but amazing Who's one of your heroes? my late dad Do you ever drink your piss just for, you know, fun? um no! What's your favorite place in the world? home...

rhymingisfun417 karma

What's the worst injury you've ever sustained in the wild?

TheAdrenalist402 karma

My worst injury? That's a tough one, but this brings back a painful memory...

http://theadrenalist.com/adventure/adventurers/whats-the-worst-injury-youve-sustained-in-the-wild/

jaju123412 karma

Did you actually play your video game? If so, what did you think?

TheAdrenalist1033 karma

yep but my kids like it when i get eaten by the croc! ... I dont.

[deleted]299 karma

I was in the Audience when you were on the Graham Norton show with that monstrous Kathy Griffin, and I went specifically because you were on the show, but I've got a question that may have already been asked. If it was then I just give my respect.

Question: In Canada and the USA you are often compared to Les Stroud, a man who had his own show called Survivorman in which he did similar things as you.

How do you feel about people saying that, in comparison to Mr Stroud, you are weak and that Les Stroud is the stronger and better equipped man?

Note to everyone who may downvote me. I do not feel this way, I enjoy Grylls' show. I just want to know how he feels in comparisonl.

chopter285 karma

What was it like working with Will Ferrel on that one episode?

bonds7279 karma

How do you feel about being such an iconic figure on the internet?

damnstraight255 karma

When you finally do "retire", where do you see yourself living?

TheAdrenalist475 karma

on our little welsh island back in the UK. It is heaven to me.

jfgiv248 karma

What was the most surprising location you've survived in? One you thought would be a (relative) cakewalk but wound up being significantly more challenging than expected?

[deleted]227 karma

What made you join the military when you were younger? And are you just incredibly talented for the UK Special Forces or are your skills common place in the UKSF?

TheAdrenalist362 karma

all the guys I served with were well trained. It was the job.

ar0ne190 karma

Hi Bear

Was there ever an animal or an insect that made you just say "NOPE, not eating that!". If so, what was it? And what is to most awful thing you ever tasted?

jaggazz177 karma

Besides a dead camel, where is the worst place you ever had to spend the night?

two_eve176 karma

Where do you think you would be now if you never accepted the offer to have your own TV programme?

upvoteforyouhun120 karma

I don't think he'll ever see this, but I am curious. How does your wife/kids feel about the dangerous things you do for your show? Do they watch?

irenesophia1968109 karma

Hi Bear, if your children wanted to follow in your adventurer footsteps would you encourage it?

TheAdrenalist149 karma

I suppose so. Here's why I wanted to do it myself:

http://theadrenalist.com/adventure/adventurers/what-made-you-want-to-be-an-adventurer/