Mud Sweat & Tears - Bear Grylls [118]
I also really had no idea quite how many hellholes, remote jungles, stinking swamps, searing deserts and forbidding, unexplored mountain ranges we have on this small planet of ours.
People forget. Me included.
Along the way, we have filmed almost seventy one-hour-long episodes, as well as twelve episodes of Worst Case Scenario, and a whole series on what it is like to go through basic training inside the French Foreign Legion. (Remind me not to repeat that one.)
It has spawned a mini-industry.
I have authored eleven books, including two best-sellers (mainly written on airplanes), we have launched Man vs. Wild games on Xbox, PlayStation and Wii. I own a worldwide adventure clothing range, and have fronted worldwide advertising campaigns for the likes of Rexona, Degree, Sure for Men, Nissan and Dos Equis beer, among many others.
I was so proud to have been made a lieutenant-commander in the Royal Navy in 2005 (Dad would have approved!), and through the expeditions that I have led, in Antarctica, the Himalayas and the Arctic, we have now raised over $2.5 million for children’s charities around the world.
Those things really matter to me. Especially when you can actually see lives saved. There’s not much tough-guy nonsense going on when I hear those young kids’ stories.
It is called perspective.
In addition, and somewhat worryingly, I was voted the thirtieth most influential man in America. Hmm. And back home in the UK, I read one morning that I was considered the seventh coolest British man, as well as the most admired person by the middle classes, second only to the Queen. Double hmm.
All are very flattering, but they are not very accurate. Ask Shara how cool I am not!
They have, though, led to one great thing: becoming Chief Scout and figurehead to twenty-eight million Scouts around the globe.
And that has been a really fun journey.
CHAPTER 110
One of the greatest privileges in my life was to be appointed the youngest ever Chief Scout to the Scouting Association. (And the best bit, for me, was that the young people themselves had such a hand in the appointment.)
The Scouts stand for so much that I value in life – friendships, family, faith and adventure.
I am learning every day that young people around the world don’t lack ambition, they just lack opportunities, and the Scouts are a shining light that brings camaraderie, adventure and a sense of belonging to those who might never normally get the chance to experience any of these magical things.
We tour around the UK, visiting hundreds of different troops and leaders, and I always try and set up meetings with local Scout groups after we finish filming, in whatever country we find ourselves in.
One movement. Many nations. One set of values. It is so infectious because it works so darned well. Just meet some of the kids and you’ll see.
I love the days I spend with them.
Each summer, Shara and I host an island survival camp for the most improved young Scouts; I get to host special awards ceremonies for those who have reached the highest rank and achievement in Scouting; and we celebrate both the newest of Scouts and the oldest of leaders.
Their stories are always incredible.
Members of the Royal family invariably attend these ceremonies. Like me, moved by Scout tales of courage and hope. Often against impossible odds.
It is about everyday people, serving as leaders in their communities, giving kids a confidence, sense of purpose, life values and outdoor skills that are hard to find anywhere else.
To be their Chief Scout is a source of great pride for me, and I hope I can do all those young lives justice.
And make no mistake, the more time I spend with Scouts the more I feel that it is them that inspire me, rather than the other way around.
So, with all of these elements, including the Scouts, life keeps running at a hell of a pace.
Sometimes too fast, and I find it hard to keep up. That part I don’t like.
It is why I take such pride in having assembled such an amazing team to help me.
Based in LA and London, they