CLASS DISMISSED Bear Grylls

PATRICK CROWDER TALKS TO THE ADVENTURER AND TV PERSONALITY ABOUT HIS DARKEST HOUR, WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH BE MILITARY FIT

You’d done a lot in your life. What is the biggest challenge you have faced and what did it teach you?

When I was serving with the military I fractured T8 T10 & T12 vertebrae in a freefall parachuting accident in Southern Africa. The chute opened but ripped and I smashed in very hard. I was so lucky not to be paralysed and a year in and out of military rehabilitation saved me. You only get it wrong once and you have to be smart.

So did that make you see the rest of your life differently?

I vowed if I ever recovered I would live life with arms open and with gratitude. It also made me ever more determined to fulfil my childhood dream of climbing Everest. I stumbled a lot on that journey of recovery for sure and had many dark days but also, I now can see how I never took my eyes off that goal and Everest gave me that driving force to get strong again and go out and grab life boldly.

How can young people find the ‘right fit’ when choosing between higher education, military service and vocational training?

It’s so important for young people to have a sense of purpose. My advice would be that whatever the career path chosen, create your big goal and vision for success.

Any mantra that’s helped you in life?

Be prepared to fail and by getting up with renewed vigour, you will get closer to that goal.

Of all the things you’ve done, it’s fascinating to see you so involved with Be Military Fit. Tell us about it.

Well, I have a long connection with BMF. I used to love training there before I joined the military as a young guy nervous of the road ahead. I remember being especially inspired by the instructors, as well as being pushed by my fellow members in a way that just doesn’t happen through training in isolation or at a gym. When the opportunity to become a co-owner of BMF arose, I was pleased to get closer to the business, to help preserve its legacy and modernise its operation.

Many BMF franchisees are veterans. How does their experience help them to teach others?

BMF veteran franchisees have all the experience of staying fit, focussed and motivated in some of the most restrictive and inhospitable locations on the globe. They know how to improvise, motivate others and to maximise the positive impact on their member fitness levels.

So we all have an inner businessman in us waiting to get out?

For our veterans, the greatest challenge will always be building their businesses, which means retaining loyal members and attracting new recruits. I am proud of the fact that more than 80 per cent of BMF members continued to pay membership fees over the entire lockdown period. This reflects the unprecedented loyalty and high level of satisfaction in what our BMF family does.

How have you struck a healthy worklife balance?

I know all too well the difficult tussles of juggling work and family and being away a lot, especially as a dad. It’s not easy, but it is about trying to make sure you know your reasons why and then really protecting the time at home when you are back.

Some people have found family tough during Covid-19. Others have found it more important than ever before. How’s that side of life been for you?

I have always tried to have clear priorities of family first. Trying to maintain a balance is key - we all have to earn a living but at the same time too much time spent away can harm everyone, and our children are only young once. It's a dance that I don’t think is easy to master but my family know that when I am home I am all theirs.

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