Mud, Sweat and Tears

by Bear Grylls

hard work and perseverance were the keys to personal progress.

nobility is not a birthright, but is defined by our actions.

The poor man with a rich spirit is in all ways superior to the rich man with a poor spirit.

Only the poor in spirit are really poor. He who has lost all, but retains his courage, cheerfulness, hope, virtue and self-respect, is still rich.

‘True courage and gentleness go hand in hand.’

Savour the moments of sheer happiness like a precious jewel – they come unexpectedly and with an intoxicating thrill.

there will also be moments, of course, when everything is black – perhaps someone you love dearly may hurt or disappoint you and everything may seem too difficult or utterly pointless. But remember, always, that everything passes and nothing stays the same … and every day brings a new beginning, and nothing, however awful, is completely without hope.

Kindness is one of the most important things in life and can mean so much. Try never to hurt those you love.

don’t leave your children if they don’t want you to. Life, and their childhood, is so short and fragile.

what I lacked in stature and confidence, I always made up for with guts and determination, and those qualities are what really matter

Enthusiasm, Encouragement and Love were his watchwords.

I never heard him speak ill of anyone; I never saw him perform an unkind act.

‘Never depend on those luck moments – they are gifts – but instead always build your own back-up plan.’

Mountains create powerful bonds between people. It is their great appeal to me.

know your limits, don’t embark on any adventures without a solid back-up plan, and don’t be egged on by others when your instincts tell you something is a bad idea.

listen to the quiet voice inside. Intuition is the noise of the mind.

we were taught to look out for each other and to think big, and those are pretty vital life skills,

I was exploring my limits and I felt alive on that edge. I was never the fastest, the strongest or the best at anything, but that only served to fire me.

I had a hunger to push myself, and I found out that I could dig very deep when I needed to. I don’t really know where or how this hunger came about, but I had it. I call it the ‘fire’.

I haven’t always succeeded, and I haven’t always had the most talent, but I have always given of myself with great enthusiasm – and that counts for a lot.

my dad had always told me that if I could be the most enthusiastic person I knew then I would do well.

when it comes to camping, a stitch in time saves nine; and time spent preparing a good camp is never wasted.

mountains, and the bonds you create with people in the wild, are great things to seek in life.

Mountains are all about experiencing a shared bond that is hard to find in normal life. I love that fact that mountains make everyone’s clothes and hair go messy; I love the fact that they demand that you give of yourself, that they make you fight and struggle. They also induce people to loosen up, to belly laugh at silly things, and to be able to sit and be content staring at a sunset or a log fire.

That sort of camaraderie creates wonderful bonds between people, and where there are bonds I have found that there is almost always strength.

life is what you make of it. And with that there comes responsibility. No one will do it all for you. That is left to each of us: to go out, to grab life and to make it our own.

‘When supply seems to have dried up, look around you quickly for something to give away.’ It is a law of the universe: to get good things you must first give away good things. (And of course this applies to love and friendship, as well.)

I learnt during this trip that I had no right ever to grumble at my own circumstances and that I should always try to be grateful and hospitable wherever I can. Above all, I will always remember the kindness and warmth I was shown from those who had so little.

I had a dream, and that always makes people dangerous. Dreams, though, are cheap, and the real task comes when you start putting in place the steps needed to make those dreams a reality.

I realized that I had been given privileges beyond those any person could ever hope for, and that we, in turn, have a duty of care towards the world and her people.

That is ultimately what good leadership does. It inspires us to reach higher.

‘Everyone who attempts Selection has the basic mark-one body: two arms, two legs, one head and one pumping set of lungs. What makes the difference between those that make it and those that don’t, is what goes on in here,’ he said, touching his chest. ‘Heart is what makes the big difference. Only you know if you have got what it takes.

What the SAS is looking for is spirit and fight: those soldiers who, when every bone in their body is screaming for rest, will dig deep, and start moving, again and again and again. That isn’t natural fitness, it is heart, and it is this that Selection demands of all that attempt it.