Reality AF: Running Wild‘s Bear Grylls on Survival Tips, Celebrities, and That Nickname + What to Watch This Week
Photo Courtesy of National Geographic
Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new column, Reality AF. Every Monday, Terry Terrones will check in and talk about the state of reality TV, plus provide a Top 5 list of what’s coming up this week that you should not miss.
Extreme adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls, a former member of British Special Forces, has been sharing his love of nature and passion for outdoor education on TV for what seems like forever.
But did you know Bear once made Natalie Portman drink water filtered through his underwear? Yep, the mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia drank underwear water thanks to Bear Grylls.
It’s all part of the fun in Running Wild With Bear Grylls which is currently airing its second season on National Geographic. The series features Grylls taking some of the most well-known people in the world—President Obama, Kate Winset, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts—on extreme adventures that would test anyone’s mettle.
I recently caught up with Bear and asked him about his unusual nickname, the celebrities he’d most like to take into the wild, and what he packs into his backpack. Here’s our conversation:
1) On the show you’re essentially an outdoor education instructor. What’s your process for teaching survival skills to people who don’t have any?
All of our guests come on Running Wild because they want to challenge themselves and experience some of the magic that the wild can give us. This season I really try to also teach them some essential survival skills and then have them put what they’ve learned to the test at the end of each episode. Whether it is knots or navigation, ultimately the journey will come down to a point where it’s all on them. That pressure can be tough when you’re tired and a little afraid but it’s amazing to see them overcome and succeed.
A recent journey for the series had me with Ashton Kutcher in the jungles of Costa Rica where he had to use his new skills to cross a huge gorge on a thin line and it’s a tricky technique of balance and strength but he did brilliantly. The wild always rewards the persistent and the resourceful. And the best way to teach is something I learnt in the military: explanation, demonstration, imitation. It’s just that on Running Wild that can all happen pretty quickly.
2) In the episode with Natalie Portman you grabbed some pitons from her Jeep and later you filtered water using your underwear. Were these ideas planned or spontaneous?
The underpants were a bit in desperation as I was looking for something to filter the water through but the pitons I knew were in the back of the jeep and I knew they’d be great to use on the way.
3) How far into your trek do people suddenly realize, “Oh boy, this is for real.”?
It tends to happen fast and early. That’s the fun of Running Wild!
4) When you do an episode of the show, what’s in your backpack and what’s in your pockets?
Being prepared is so important, it sets you up for success from the get-go. Research the area and know the key items that will help you. For example, in the snowy mountains a set of spare gloves can be a life saver. Ditto a small down jacket that you keep waterproofed and tucked into a small pounce in your backpack. Staple items are multi-tool, waterproofed comms such as an iPhone or satellite phone if off grid. A small first aid and a fire starter kit. Protective clothing – a hat and long sleeved shirt for desert and waterproof jacket for mountains. On top of that we bring a few extra ropes and satellite communications.
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