A. From 1994 to 1997, I served with the British SAS (21 SAS). I passed U.K. Special Forces Selection, serving as a sabre soldier, highly trained in unarmed combat, desert and winter warfare, combat survival, medics, parachuting, signals, evasive driving, climbing and explosives. I served actively in North Africa twice (details classified).

In late 1996, I broke my back in a free-fall parachuting accident in southern Africa. I spent a year in and out of military rehabilitation back in the U.K. In late 1997, I climbed Mt. Ama Dablam in the Himalaya, a peak once described by Sir Edmund Hillary as "unclimbable."

Then, in May 1998, as part of a small military team of four soldiers, myself and my best buddy Neil Laughton (he's an ex-captain with the Royal Marines Commandos and 21 SAS) summited Everest. I turned 24 10 days later. I signed off from 21 SAS in late 1998.

Q. What was your scariest moment?

A. Well, I've just been on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ranked quite high on the scary list! [Note: Bear appeared on TOWS on Jan. 31, 2007.]

Q. Could you tell us about your book, Born Survivor: Bear Grylls (aka Stranded)?

A. It is a culmination of all that I have learned about staying alive in hostile places. It is based around my military training, Man vs. Wild experiences and past expeditions.

Q. What do you always take with you?

A. Flint and striker, so I can light a fire however tough it gets — lifts my spirit always and has often saved my bacon! My Christian faith: high mountains and my time in the military taught me that it takes a proud man to say he needs nothing, and I need my faith. And, finally, a laminated picture of my family tucked inside my shoe.