Adventurer Bear Grylls, famous for hosting National Geographic’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, is no stranger to daunting expeditions. Whether scaling Mount Everest or navigating Zambia’s rapids, one could assume Grylls is fearless. However, he clarifies, “Fear is a huge part of my life, it’s part of my job.” Fear, he argues, isn’t an opponent but rather a tool nature provides to enhance performance and alertness.
Grylls’ TV series documents his global adventures, where he survives in remote locales with minimal supplies. While many prefer to sidestep fear, Grylls believes this avoidance weakens our response when fear arises. “An overload of adrenaline,” Grylls warns, “creates a kind of a fog of war.” Instead, he advises making fear your ally to harness its power.
To manage fear, Grylls adapts the S-T-O-P acronym, introduced by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan, to guide people in leveraging their fear effectively:
S – Stop and step back: In everyday panic situations, like deadlines or challenging talks, don’t react impulsively. Stepping back helps manage anxiety.
T – Take a break: It’s tough to think clearly under stress. Pause to regain composure with deep breaths or quick mindfulness to reconnect with rational thinking.
O – Observe: In high-stress scenarios, it’s easy to become overly focused. Grylls suggests broadening focus to notice escape routes, resources, and support systems around you.
P – Plan: Once calm and resource-aware, strategize your next steps. Develop one or more action plans to tackle the situation.
For Grylls, survival isn’t about tools but perspective. He states, “Tools break, technology fails, plans fall through.” The essential skills are adaptability and comfort with uncertainty. When asked about essential traits for any expedition, Grylls mentions, “a resourceful spirit, a determined heart, and a courageous attitude.” These qualities, he believes, empower you to tackle difficulties and progress confidently.
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