I recently tucked in for an evening with Bear Grylls out in the wild.
For those of you who have not followed this outdoor adventure survivalist through his various forays into television stardom, Bear Grylls is an experience in himself.
This summer, he’s Running Wild with six public figures.
Each episode, Bear takes a celebrity out for 48 hours on an adventure without assistants, luxuries or working bathrooms.
According to our fearless leader, “The wild can not only be revealing, but empowering.”
The series started with Zac Efron who soared to teen stardom in the High School Musical series before transitioning into adult roles.
His films were hits and his life, seemingly flawless. Unfortunately, a quick trip to rehab last year burst that bubble for shocked fans.
Now Zac, a long-time fan of Bear’s shows and a life-long camper, is living a dream. Before Bear arrives, he tells the camera that he asked for “the toughest level.” And he got it.
There is no preparation for this. The parachute training consisted of Bear shouting instructions above the sound of the flying helicopter. Then, to get down a steep hill, Bear does an improvised body rappel which “works but it hurts.” And this, according to Bear, is “just easing Zac into it.”
After that they covered miles of deep woods and a commando crawl on a rope across a gully.
Then, the famous last words, “I hear water.” Sure. One-hundred-and-forty feet down. And their rope is only about 120. This is followed by the moment we’re waiting for – Zac Efron shirtless – and Bear too – going over a cliff.
Now imagine two wet buff men walking shirtless out of a river.
Sorry, still imagining.
The whole adventure could be compared to The Amazing Race in the woods – except that between each hair-raising feat, the participants actually have time to enjoy their surroundings.
They sit and talk with Bear who asks the usual interview questions. But it doesn’t feel like an interview. It’s more intimate – practically a date with all the hand-holding involved – and more honest.
Zac talked about life in the Hollywood fishbowl, his own weaknesses, and what led him to rehab. And the changes he’s made in his life today.
So between the rotted groundhogs, stolen eggs and dug up worms for dinner, we discover some important life lessons.
First, always go in with “boyish enthusiasm.” Then you can eat just about anything.
Second, you really can start a fire with just a battery and a silver chewing gum wrapper.
Third, always know the difference between the pee bottle and the water bottle.
And finally, pack your “junk” very carefully before jumping lest you learn the hard way what happens to those straps between your legs at 10,000 feet.
The camera angles are fabulous and the trip has more reality than most reality shows. Bear even farts in his sleep.
It’s a summer adventure without the bug spray. And I can’t wait for next Monday night.
