Bear Grylls and the World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji
Conquering changed Bear Grylls as a person. He dreams of tackling the unclimbed peaks in . However, the striking contrasts he experienced in have made a significant impression on the British TV adventurer.
The former SAS serviceman and survival instructor was struck by the South Pacific island country’s combination of natural beauty and intense terrain while hosting the 10-episode adventure series, World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji. This series recently premiered on Prime Video and features 66 teams from 30 countries pushed to their physical and mental limits.
“Fiji is such a stunning country and a land of extremes,” Grylls shares. “It has remarkable natural beauty and diversity, from the crystal blue oceans to the jungle rivers, and pristine wilderness. Nevertheless, it’s also tough terrain, with hundreds of remote miles of swamps, jungle, ravines, and high mountains that are among the most intense I have ever encountered. This made it perfect for us.”
The series produced by MGM Television in collaboration with Amazon Studios showcases the ultimate expedition race. Sixty-six teams raced non-stop for 11 days, 24 hours a day across hundreds of miles of rugged Fijian terrain with mountains, jungles, oceans, and rivers. Moreover, the challenges lie not only within the course but also in the competitors’ equally daunting personal struggles, which are magnified by the demands of the expedition.
While navigating through Fiji’s breathtaking wilderness and trekking through untouched remote villages, Grylls emphasized the iconic nature of returning to where the original Eco-Challenge series concluded 17 years earlier. “The scale of it, the elevation, and the extremes of temperature were brutal for racers,” he explains.
The 46-year-old adventurer understands all too well how life-changing it can be to confront extreme challenges. His memory of conquering Mount Everest will forever resonate with him, particularly watching the sunrise over . He reflects, “Climbing Everest was a life moment. It changed me in many ways, and during that time, the mountain claimed four climbers’ lives. That was hard to come to terms with, but I have since developed a lasting gratitude for life.”
While the rugged terrain in Fiji could be hostile, the reception from locals towards the competitors and crew was overwhelmingly warm. Grylls remarks, “We had huge welcomes from locals wherever the race went. They are genuinely warm and friendly people, welcoming us to their country and participating in the series by cheering on teams or assisting them along the way.”
Although grounded due to the pandemic, Grylls has great memories to sustain him, thanks to his extensive travels and thrilling survival challenges around the world. Nonetheless, he dreams of visiting new places and enjoying adventures with his sons, Jesse, Marmaduke, and Huckleberry.
“I have a large bucket list that keeps expanding, but I still hope to tackle some of the unclimbed peaks in Greenland. The vast, genuine wilderness there is totally unexplored and brings a sense of awe that’s hard to describe. The fun part is that my sons are eager to join me in these adventures,” he adds.
While our travels may be temporarily curtailed, Bear hopes that viewers can experience the thrill of this ultimate adventure series set in Fiji, which is centered on perseverance. “The world needs inspiration more than ever right now, reminding ourselves of the beauty of both the natural world and the resilience of the human spirit,” he concludes.
World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji is available to watch now on Prime Video.
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