He’s eaten toads, jumped off cliffs, dived into sludge and taken everyone from movie stars to prime ministers on not-so-gentle strolls through the wilderness. At this point, there’s very little Bear Grylls won’t try, swallow or survive. But what happens when the cameras are off? When he thinks, “Right, maybe this was a bit too far”? In this no-frills conversation, the world’s most recognisable survivalist talks about near-death injuries, and why nothing beats coming home to a proper roast chicken. 

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten in the wild that actually tasted nice? 

Bear Grylls: I’ve eaten my fair share of strange things in the wild. Comes with the territory. Grasshoppers, grilled scorpions, raw river shrimp, goat testicles, raven eggs, larvae, termites... you name it. Most of the time, it’s more about survival than flavour. But surprisingly, sea urchin was one of the few that actually tasted pretty good. Fresh, salty, kind of like nature’s sushi. That said, I wouldn’t exactly recommend building a menu off my meals. 

Out of all your celebrity guests, who do you think could survive alone in the wild? And who wouldn’t last a day? 

Survival is the ultimate equaliser. It doesn’t care how famous, fit or strong you are. Out there, it all comes down to mindset, grit, adaptability and staying calm under pressure. And honestly, it’s always surprising who thrives and who struggles. 

I’ve had the privilege of taking so many inspirational people into the wild — global names like Barack Obama, Roger Federer, Channing Tatum and Julia Roberts. Each of them brought something special: courage, curiosity and a real willingness to dig deep and give their all. 

But here’s the truth. At the end of the day, they’re all human. The wild has a funny way of kicking your survival instinct into gear. Sometimes it’s the quiet, unassuming ones who surprise you the most. 

Have you ever reached a point while filming the show where you thought you might have gotten too far?  

One moment that stands out is when I broke my back in a parachuting accident in Africa while serving with the British Special Forces. I had three crushed vertebrae and for a while, it looked like I might not walk properly again. It was a proper near-death moment. 

But that injury didn’t end the journey. It started a whole new one. Eighteen months later, I was standing on the summit of Everest. That experience taught me that survival isn’t just about the wild. It’s about the mindset—the resilience and how you turn pain into purpose. 

Since then, I’ve had my fair share of close calls. Almost drowning in freezing rapids, escaping wild animals, navigating brutal terrains. But every challenge has only strengthened my belief that survival is built on preparation, calculated risk and mental toughness. With Discovery alongside me through many of those moments, we’ve been able to share that raw, real side of adventure with the world. 

What’s one basic survival skill everyone should know, even if they live in a city? 

Situational awareness, hands down. Whether you’re out in the wild or just navigating a busy street, being switched on to what’s happening around you can make all the difference. 

It’s about staying calm, thinking clearly under pressure and not panicking when things go sideways. Survival isn’t just about rubbing sticks together to make fire. It’s a mindset. And that mindset can save you whether you're lost in the jungle or caught in a city emergency. Stay alert, stay smart and trust your instincts. 

You’re stranded with no gear. You can pick one thing: a knife, a smartphone or duct tape. What are you taking? 

Easy, the knife. In the wild, it’s the one tool that can do a hundred jobs. You can use it to build shelter, make fire-starting tools, prepare food and even defend yourself if it comes to that. It’s basic, reliable and doesn’t run out of battery. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. A smartphone can be a lifesaver if you’ve got signal and power, especially closer to civilisation. And duct tape? Total game-changer at times. It can fix almost anything — gear, boots, even patch up wounds in a pinch. 

But if I had to choose just one tool to depend on out there in the wild, it’s the knife. Every time. 

After eating bugs and raw meat, what’s your dream meal when you’re back home? 

You know, after days of grubs, raw fish and whatever else the wild throws at you, all I crave is a proper, home-cooked meal. Nothing fancy, just something warm and hearty. A roast chicken, maybe, or a big bowl of stew. But more than the food, it’s the feeling. Being home, sitting with family. That sense of normalcy. After surviving off the land, those simple moments are what I treasure the most. 

Which place scares you more: the jungle, the desert, or the mountain? 

I would say more that I’ve learned to respect them all. Each terrain has its own way of testing you. The jungle is dense and unpredictable, the desert will sap every drop of energy and water from you, and the mountains can turn deadly in seconds with altitude, weather or a wrong step. 

What matters most is how prepared you are, how well you adapt and how calmly you make decisions when things get tough. Fear can be healthy. It keeps you sharp. But it’s respect for nature that keeps you alive. 

Is there one animal you would never want to face, even with all your training? 

Probably saltwater crocodiles. Don’t mess. Especially if you’re on your own and in murky water. You won’t win. 

Do you ever go on normal holidays, no wild stunts, just relaxing? 

I do. As much as I love the thrill of adventure, I really value the quiet moments too, especially with my family. Some of my favourite holidays are the simplest ones. Just being by the sea, messing around in the surf, no cameras, no survival tests, just peace and nature. 

It’s so important to switch off, recharge and enjoy life without always being in survival mode. We all must recharge at times. 

If you had to survive using only things in a regular kitchen, what would you grab first? 

A kitchen knife. Probably the most versatile tool you’ll find in a domestic setting. You can use it to cut, build, prep food, even for protection if it comes to that.  

Survival is all about making the most of what you’ve got, and a kitchen has more potential than most people realise. Foil, matches, even plastic wrap, they can all be turned into tools if you get creative. Adaptability is everything. 

Have you ever had to stop filming because something totally unexpected or hilarious happened? 

A couple of injuries have stopped us short on a few occasions. Once in the Canadian Rockies, a metal camera housing smashed into my leg after falling down a cliff. A few inches to the left and it would have killed me. That one took me out of action for a month. Or the time I broke my shoulder in the polar region down south. 

But generally, we’ve got away with so much and I’m so grateful for that. Good team, good skills and good fortune. 

What’s the one survival myth you hear all the time that just isn’t true? 

The old “suck the venom out of a snake bite” myth. That one just refuses to die. Not only does it not work, but it can actually make things worse by spreading the venom or causing an infection. 

The real key is to stay calm, keep movement to a minimum and get medical help as fast as you can. In the wild, bad info can be as dangerous as the bite itself. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. 

You’ve been with Discovery since Man vs Wild. What’s the secret behind such a long-standing relationship, and how has their support helped you grow? 
 

It’s simple — trust and shared values. Discovery and I both care deeply about adventure, about nature and about telling stories that matter. That alignment has kept the relationship strong, even as the world and the way people watch content has changed. 

Discovery believed in the idea of raw survival storytelling when it wasn’t yet a thing. They backed bold ideas and gave me the freedom to explore, to experiment and to push the limits of what this genre could be. From taking Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar into the wild to that unforgettable journey with Prime Minister Modi, the shows we’ve created have gone far beyond entertainment. 
 

⁠Discovery has been part of your journey from the start, how has their support helped you grow and try new things over the years?

My journey with Discovery has been that of true partnership from day one. Right from the early days of Man vs Wild, they believed in this idea to take viewers into the heart of nature, show them what survival really looks like, and do it in a raw, unfiltered way. That trust and support made all the difference.

Together, we’ve created a whole new genre of adventure storytelling that’s raw, real, and connects people to nature in the most powerful ways. Discovery has always given me the freedom to experiment, whether it’s new formats, unexpected locations, or deeper storytelling. Over time, that support has helped me not only grow as a presenter but also as a human pushing me to be vulnerable and true to my heart.

And honestly, one of the things that keeps me going is hearing from people around the world who say, “That episode helped me survive a tough situation,” or “You inspired me to explore the wild.” That’s incredibly humbling. That kind of impact… it’s why we do this.

With Discovery celebrating 40 years globally and 30 years in India this year, it feels even more special to be part of something that has inspired generations and continues to do so.