Bear Grylls on how to deal with fear — and what we can all learn about it
He explains why resilience is built through taking risks and the willingness to get back up, helping people navigate the uncertainty of daily life.
Fear is something we all face, and it’s a part of being human. It helps us recognise when we’re in danger. But when fear takes over, it can prevent us from taking chances or moving forward in life. Recently, Bear Grylls shared insights on navigating challenging situations drawn from his own adventures. He offered valuable lessons on how we can all learn to face our fears and overcome them.
Bear Grylls is a former British Special Forces soldier and a well-known adventurer. He became famous for climbing Mount Everest not long after a major injury left him with a broken back. Most people know him from his television career, where he leads celebrities through some of the most difficult environments on earth. His background in the military and survival gives him a very practical way of looking at fear and overcoming obstacles.
What he says on fear
After years of serving in the military and facing challenging adventures, Bear Grylls has observed how people respond to fear. He recently shared one of the most important lessons he has learned from his experiences is how to handle fear. “The big thing I’ve learned in my life through my job in the Special Forces, from Everest, from many expeditions, it’s like how to deal with fear. I see it every day with Running Wild, take these Hollywood stars into the wild, seeing how they have to deal with fear”, Grylls added.
He watches how people handle extreme situations, such as heights, caves, or rapids. From these experiences, he has also noticed a common mistake they make when they are scared. He said, “What I’ve learned is that when you run, it gets worse. People think they’re avoiding it by like never facing it.”
He used the example of being scared of public speaking, hospitals, or even relationships. Grylls noted that the “green monkey” gets bigger when we run the other way. He further explained that by trying to hide, you actually give the fear more power. “Like you give it power and yet when you walk towards it, however difficult it is, holding the hand of your loved ones if you need to”, he added.
Gryll also emphasized that it’s important for people to face their fears, even if they do it little by little. He believes that if you take small steps toward what scares you, those fears will fade over time. As he put it, “Inch at a time, not big step, but when you’re moving towards it, there is power to that, and the fear and the scary stuff tends to go away.”
Reactions
The public response to Gryll’s video shows how much people struggle with these same feelings in their daily lives, as one person shared when discussing how to teach these values to the next generation: “So true! Always told my kids that fear is like a beast that gets even hungrier and wilder if you ignore it.” Hiding from a problem only feeds it. Explaining fear to children as a beast that grows helps them understand the importance of facing their worries early so they don’t encounter such hurdles as adults.
Another person noted that bravery is a conscious choice, “Nothing could be truer. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision that fear will not decide your direction.”
For those who work in high-pressure environments, Bear’s advice is a vital source of motivation. One person shared their thoughts on how helpful it has been: “You set the bar high and inspire so many of us who serve to keep pushing. Thanks, Bear.” Everyone needs encouragement to keep going when things get difficult, no matter the job they are doing.
One follower explained how Bear’s work influenced their own path: “A legend of adventure and the reason I got into it myself many years ago.” Seeing a professional face their fears can give others the confidence to start their own journey. It shows that being open about these struggles helps others take their own first steps.
Why this matters
Bear Grylls is known for his adventures in harsh environments, but the lessons he shares can also help in everyday life. While most people might not face life-threatening situations like him, they do encounter emotional challenges, such as fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty at work. These feelings influence the choices people make every day, often without them realizing it. When someone avoids a challenge because they feel nervous, it can gradually hurt their confidence and limit their opportunities.
Choosing to hide from fear may offer a quick escape, but it can stop you from getting ahead. Most people stay in situations they hate because they are afraid of the unknown. However, by taking one step at a time, you can handle intimidating situations with ease and overcome your fears and doubts. It’s also important to see fear as a natural protective response that people can learn to handle properly to make better decisions. Having support from friends or family can also make facing these challenges much easier.
