BEAR (Edward) GRYLLS Biography BEAR (Edward) GRYLLS Bear Grylls is one of the most well known and successful, young adventurers in the world. At just 23 years old, he became The Youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest. In August 2003, he led the first crew to cross the Atlantic via the Arctic Circle in an open rigid inflatable boat. 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’. This year Bear co wrote and presented a TV series for Channel 4, ‘Escape To The Legion’ which will broadcast from July 5th at 9.00pm and he is already preparing for two more televised expeditions. Bear’s achievements are made even more extraordinary when you discover that just two years before he climbed Everest he suffered a near fatal parachuting accident in Africa; breaking his back in three places and narrowly escaping a life of paralysis. He spent a torturous year of rehabilitation constantly facing the fact that he might never walk again, let alone achieve 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. Enduring extreme weather for ninety days, two months of limited sleep and surviving running out of oxygen in the upper regions of the ‘death zone’ (above 26,000 feet). Bear is one of only thirty British climbers to have successfully completed climbing Everest and return alive. The death toll on Mount Everest rises every year, out of every six mountaineers who make it to the top, one will die. Bear himself had a narrow escape. On the way down from his first reconnaissance climb, whilst navigating the perilous Khumbu Icefall, the ice cracked and he fell into a 1,000 feet deep crevasse. He was knocked unconscious and had it not been for his team-mates he would not be alive today. This particular incident was dramatised as part of the award winning, ‘Sure For Men’ advertising campaign, which starred Bear and was broadcast worldwide. Bear has written two books, ‘Facing Up’ (published in America under the title, ‘The Kid Who Climbed Everest’), records his Everest expedition and soared into the bestseller list selling over 70,000 copies in the UK alone and ‘Facing The Frozen Ocean’ (his arctic expedition) which was published by Macmillan in 2004. Before climbing Everest, Bear spent three years as a Specialist Combat Survival Instructor and Patrol Medic with the British Special Forces. 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. As one of the youngest and most successful 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. BEAR GRYLLS SELECTED REFERENCES An honest and compelling story. SIR RANULPH FIENNES Your presentation was the highlight of the conference, it was exceptionally inspirational! Douglas Grip, Goldman Sachs - UK Managing Director 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 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 Bear was exceptionally well received by the audience; we thought he scored 10 out of 10. BP INTERNATIONAL Bear has a wonderful way of conveying his passion and excitement of the life threatening adventures he’s been on in a highly personal and compelling way – the ripples he has sent out across our business has been terrific. His delivery and content for our conference was excellent. W H SMITH LTD 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 Our thanks for your professional and inspirational contribution to our lunch, the combination of your particular style and breathtaking video was entirely appropriate and hit all the right notes. THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS All our senior Chief Executives had great things to say about Bear, he was a fantastic speaker. UBS WARBURG SENIOR TEAM DINNER Your fascinating presentation at our Negotiators and Valuers Conference was truly amazing, especially for someone so young. Without exception we were all absorbed, it has had a positive impact across our company. MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHRISTIE & CO He was one of the best and most enjoyable speakers we’ve ever had for our Investors in People dinner. SUSSEX TEC Bear was marvellous, his presentation was unique and we all appreciated his great sense of humour AXA INSURANCE CONFERENCE One of the most moving and honest speakers I have heard in many years. SPIKE MILLIGAN I have seen a number of presentations on the climbing of Everest over the years, but I can honestly say this is the first time that I have got a real sense of what it means and feels like to attempt the climb and to succeed. Your presentation is delightful and inspiring. SENIOR PARTNER, DAVIS LANGDON & EVEREST We absolutely loved him, he was a fantastic after dinner speaker. REUTERS For someone so young he is extremely natural at public speaking and really has a way with audiences. He gave our ‘Creating Young Leaders of The Future keynote presentation. THE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY Thank you for such an interesting presentation it was most successful, which is not easy with 300 participants from 49 countries at one annual meeting. UNION DES FOIRES INTERNATIONALE The audience of business people were enthralled by his talk and unanimous in their praise for his presentation. He cleverly linked his own experience to business life and made us more aware of the need for teamwork and mutual support. In all my years with the Chamber I have not attended a talk where praise was so unanimous. CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DORSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Splendid presentation, we were all spellbound and stunned DAVIS LANGDON & EVEREST Your talk was gripping, I think everyone in the lecture theatre caught the atmosphere and shared your jubilation of reaching the top, after all the set backs. Stunning presentation and an excellent video. ETON COLLEGE Thank you so much for speaking at our annual conference, it was a privilege to hear you speak. The delegates were inspired and captured listening to the remarkable experiences of your epic journey. You deserved the standing ovation, congratulations. CHAIRMAN, NSA LIMITED What a talk! The humour, the entertainment! His relaxed style and natural exuberance and confidence brought praise from a packed audience. THE BEMBRIDGE SAILING CLUB Considering this was a very sceptical group of fifteen year olds from inner city London he did a grand job – they even asked questions afterwards. HABERDASHERS’ ASKES’S HATCHAM COLLEGE He was very well received. Everyone aged from eight to adults really enjoyed it and were highly entertained. ASHDOWN HOUSE SCHOOL We will certainly use him again, he did a good job for us. IN REAL LIFE LTD, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS One of the best speakers we’ve ever heard. HML MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2001 Thank you for your stunning performance on Meals in Minutes with Ainsley Herriot, we were all in fits of laughter, you are truly a gifted performer. ASSISTANT PRODUCER, BAZAL MIDLANDS This was the second time I have heard Bear and he was just as inspirational as when I first heard him. A fantastic insight into following a dream. I have no hesitation in giving him 10 out of 10 for content and delivery. THE ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES CONFERENCE We really enjoyed working with you, you were a natural and highly entertaining. ASSISTANT PRODUCER, EXPLORERS JOURNAL, MENTORN BARRACLOUGH CAREY What an astonishing and entertaining talk, it really made a memorable evening having Bear speak to us after dinner. ROUNDWOOD Thank you for your excellent contribution to the most successful exhibition yet, the Celebrity Theatre provided a real highlight and you were are real hit with the general public. DAILY TELEGRAPH DESTINATIONS/BAA We have had a lot of professional speakers over the years but you really outshone them all. The audience absolutely loved you. THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL A totally absorbing lecture with excellent visual support. Our Vice-Chairman and many others feel very lucky to have heard you speak. THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION Your talk to our Manchester office can only be described as exceptional – your words devastating and the visuals out of this world. D.L.E CHARTERED QUANTITY SURVEYORS He was the by far the best speaker we have ever had at our lectures, truly inspirational to both pupils and masters. THE DRAGON SCHOOL He was the best speaker we’ve had by far, a real star. I only wish that we had booked him to speak for longer. He made every delegate feel that he knew them personally and joined in with our team games with such enthusiasm. I would thoroughly recommend him to anybody – true star quality. XMA A really well told story; amazingly funny in places and touchingly honest. THE OLDIE CHRISTMAS LUNCH Your extraordinary and moving account of the Everest expedition affected all those at our dinner. You have really inspired our pupils to look more closely at their lives and I think many of them will take a more adventurous gap year and the challenge of it. I know that all our pupils greatly benefited from the time you spent here. BENENDEN SCHOOL What a lovely person Bear is and his talk was spellbinding. CALDERDALE & KIRKLEES TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCIL LTD He gauged his audience so well even referring to the charities we were supporting. He was simply wonderful and so humble – we all loved it. JUNIPER TRADING Thank you for your contribution to our company day, your speech hit just the right note and was the subject of much talk and admiration. Your story was truly inspirational and has definitely left us all feeling as is we could reach for the stars! MARKETING EXECUTIVE, BERKELEY SCOTT GROUP It is rare to hear such a heroic story and with such vulnerability. RADLEY COLLEGE Thank you for your great presentation in Hong Kong, not a single person left the auditorium which must be a first for one of these international gatherings. CHAIRMAN, MONTGOMERY EXHIBITIONS LTD Thank you for a wonderful contribution to the CIES Management Development Programme Congress, you left our future leaders of the food business clearly inspired. Your presentation was rated at 4 for content and 4.2 for presentation out of a possible 5. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES, CIES Extremely positive feedback from the delegates particularly to your speech which was both motivating and thought provoking. We appreciated the teamwork theme and thought Bear enthusiastic, entertaining and inspirational. CORPORATE MARKETING & ADVERTISING SERVICES LTD We have had some super letters and comments about your talk, thank you for being such a splendid example you are an inspiration to us all. DORSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY Absolutely brilliant. I have never heard such a great talk. The whole room was captivated. He scored ‘excellent’ throughout our feedback forms. A truly unique speaker, perfect for our Leading Edge Convention.. THE INSTITUTE OF GROCERY DISTRIBUTION Bear was inspirational, despite suffering from flu he was professional and gave a 10 out of 10 performance on both content and delivery. SENIOR PARTNER CONFERENCE, LOVELLS, BRUSSELLS The entire team were enthralled throughout Bear’s talk, an exceptional tale which left us very motivated as a team. Highly recommended! LEVER FABERGE GROUP Bear Grylls was fantastic, I would certainly recommend him. ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR DORSET PROBATION SERVICES 'Bear provided the Coca-Cola Enterprises team with an inspirational presentation which had the whole audience on the edge of their chairs. In an audience of 350 people you could have heard a pin drop as they all listened spellbound to the story of his great adventure!. An incredible achievement delivered in a moving and emotional way. Extraordinary!' DARYL JELINEK, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, COCA- COLA ENTERPRISES Thank you so much for your after dinner speech at E Telco 2001 Summit, going through the delegate forms we found that the feedback on the event was overwhelmingly positive. Your presentation was very highly rated, both in content and style. MARCUS EVANS, NETHERLANDS Your excellent presentation at our conference has proved to be one of the most memorable events of that day and has marked a milestone in the future history of our organisation, I have no hesitation in recommending Bear to other organisations. NATIONAL SALES & MARKETING MANAGER, HELLMAN SYSTEMS Your keynote address in Greece was, once again, absolutely excellent and I even saw a couple of people in the audience wipe away a tear or two! It was a memorable speech and I certainly think that many of the delegates will have left Loutraki thinking about some of your messages. GENERAL MANAGER WORLDWIDE SALES STRATEGY - BRITISH AIRWAYS I thoroughly enjoyed your excellent presentation at our CILA. I thought it was outstanding as did the rest of your audience. PRESIDENT, THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LOSS ADJUSTERS Many thanks for delivering such an inspirational, honest and very modest account of your Everest adventure. The whole school was buzzing. Everywhere one looks children are curled up with your book! HEADFORT SCHOOL, CO MEATH, IRELAND I am sure you must be aware from the reception you received that you were a big hit with the girls. You struck just the right note in your presentation and since the talk, I have noticed several girls with heads buried in copies of your book. It can be a great support when people like you are prepared to acknowledge their own feelings in public. KENT COLLEGE, PEMBURY What an inspiring hour and I know that I was not the only one uplifted. I didn’t feel an hour was enough to do justice to your extraordinary achievements to date; we’d love to learn more from you another day. CEO, BERKELEY-SCOTT GROUP PLC   [ back ]