A devastating accident… 
Christened Edward Michael Grylls by his British parents, Eddie (37) was nicknamed ‘Teddy’ at primary school, which later shortened to ‘Bear’ (not a very manly origin, but almost prophetic when one considers his wild adventures!). Having spent his youth climbing cliffs on the Isle of Wight with his politician father, Bear dreamed of protecting his country and exploring the world. This determined soldier went on to serve in the British Special Forces, where he was trained in unarmed combat, desert and winter warfare, combat survival, medics, parachuting, signals, evasive driving, climbing and explosives. However, after three years, Bear’s time in the Forces ended abruptly with a parachuting accident. “In 1996, I suffered a freefall parachuting accident in Zambia when my canopy ripped at 4 900 metres. It was partially opened and I landed on my back, crushing three vertebrae.”
