Bear Grylls is a British adventurer, military veteran, bestselling author, BAFTA-winning television presenter, previous chief scout, and as of Thursday 13th March; a recipient of LawSoc’s Allii Proelio award.
The GMB was alive with excitement in the moments before 11am, as LawSoc’s highly anticipated, yet perhaps unexpected, awardee was set to arrive.
Graham Doran of LawSoc introduced the Allii Proelio award, explaining that it is “given to those that have broadened the perspectives of others”. Past recipients of the award include Laura Whitmore, Maisie Peters and Denise Chaila.
Bear Grylls entered the GMB to a vigorous round of applause and a warm welcome by students. Grylls spoke with great enthusiasm, his energetic presence capturing the attention of all those in attendance. After expressing his immense gratitude for receiving the Allii Proelio award, he said “today I want to give, rather than receive”. And give he did.
Bear Grylls gave advice and wisdom to the audience, sharing the insights and teachings he has acquired throughout his wide-ranging life experiences. Firstly, Grylls urged students to embody his three golden rules for life: have courage, be kind and never give up. He urged the audience to have “Kindness in all your endeavours, in all your aspirations, in everything you do – keep it centre”.
During his interview with LawSoc Auditor James Ryan, Grylls shared that the key to success is becoming comfortable with failure. “You really can’t achieve anything in life without learning to become a ninja of failing.” Grylls attributed his success to the fact he was “dog-eared and determined” growing up, and encouraged the audience to be the same.
Grylls began his career in the Special Air Service of the British Army, where he made life-long friendships, as he fondly recalled to the GMB. It was upon leaving the special forces that Grylls first appeared on American screens with the television show “Man vs Wild”. According to Grylls, it was all thanks to those supporting him that he could ultimately reach success. “Some people believe in us when we don’t believe in ourselves. Those people are gold.”
Grylls shared with the GMB that he adopts a “family first” approach to his work. He said it’s “No good being super successful at work and screwing up the real worth in our life; which is our relationships.”
“Life said: be the best – it’s a terrible motto. Do your best is much better”. This is among the insights that Bear Grylls has gained from his experiences in scouting. In 2009, Grylls was appointed chief scout of the UK, the youngest ever to be appointed at 35 years of age. After the end of his term last year, Grylls shared his view of scouting as a “worldwide family” and a “force for good”.
”Once a Scout, always a Scout. It’s actually a state of mind – do your best, try and be kind, and never give up. These are scouting values, founded 150 years ago.”
In regards to the riveting adventures that he is most known for, Grylls explained that survival is about being prepared and having the necessary systems in place. “Park the ego – you don’t want to just seek out close shaves, the wild will do that for you.”
As the audience listened to Grylls with great admiration, he insisted that the feeling was mutual. “I didn’t manage to do a full-time degree or anything like that, I think you guys are amazing”. Grylls expressed to the crowd that “the most exciting thing is you’re only just getting going”. Received with laughter by the audience, Grylls assured that “you do not want to be peaking in university” if so, “something’s gone wrong”.
Bear Grylls received the Allii Proelio award, but in return, gave students his wisdom and inspiration. Even after Grylls’ departure from the GMB, his passion and energy was palpable.
