As a globe-trotting adventurer and TV presenter, Ben Fogle is well-accustomed to stepping out of his comfort zone. Having been a castaway, trekked the Sahara, swum with crocodiles, rowed across the Atlantic, run the toughest race on earth, crossed the Antarctic and survived frostbite, he’s beaten countless mental and physical obstacles in a bid to test his limits, open his eyes to the world and make fantastic memories. We caught up with him to find out how he’s doing what he loves and why we could all benefit from being a little bit braver in every day life… ~ Rachel
What does adventure mean to you?
Adventure is anything away from the norm. We are all creatures of habit, adventure breaks the mould by pushing your boundaries and opening the mind. You get out of life what you put in and the greatest achievements come from the biggest challenges.
What drives you to explore?
Curiosity and wanderlust. I have always loved travelling. To explore is to delve a little deeper beneath the surface.
What is it about travelling that you’re addicted to?
The assault on the senses. I love the colour, the noise, the smells, the tastes. Everything has a richness. Bettering myself too. I think only by exploring outside of your realm of comfort and normality, can you be objective on your outlook on life. I think it makes me better as a person and a better dad to my kids as well. I love coming back from my travels and telling them my stories.
We first got to know you in 2000 through the BBC reality show Castaway, and you’ve been on our screens ever since. What’s the secret of your success?
Honesty and reality. I am what you see. I have never pretended to be anything different. Some people like that, some don’t. The secret to any success is drive, honesty and integrity.
You’re known for your extreme exploits and you’ve done many big challenges. Which ones have most changed
They have all tested me in different ways. Rowing the Atlantic was probably one of the most overwhelming experiences. Monotony and sleep deprivation can be a lethal combination. They can be quite destructive. It wasn’t a physical challenge but a mental battle.
Is there anything you’re afraid of?
Heights. I can stand on top of a mountain or a cliff but I’m terrified of jumping off. Bungee, diving, parachuting, wing suiting, skydiving. They all make my stomach turn. I have forced myself to skydive a few times now and recently did my first solo dive as a way of conquering my fear. I have a little ways to go.
You travelled to some fantastic far-
Steve Lal and his family in India were quite extraordinary. I adored him. Profound and spiritual. There aren’t many people like him. He had all of us enthralled. I was also inspired by Swiss woman Barbara and her determination and perseverance in the face of adversity in the Australian bush. It’s not always easy. Their bravery and resilience is inspiring.
New Lives In The Wild: UK was a real eye-opener for me too and I loved doing it. I spent time with people who are living off grid in the wilds of Britain, from Fair Isle in Scotland to Exmoor, who have gone in search of a happier and more rewarding life away from the comforts of the city. It’s been a fascinating insight and proof that we can live a wild existence here in this country. I am really lucky I get to dip into all these places and it inspires me for where we might live in the future.
What is it about New Lives in the Wild that has captured viewers’ imaginations?
We all like to think we could do it ourselves. It’s the dream to give it all up and move to a wilderness. It’s a symptom of modern society, the desire for a simpler life.
If you and your family were going to move somewhere really remote and embrace a back-to-basics way of life, where would you go?
Well we all just returned from a month on a remote island in the Bahamas. I’m slowly grooming my family to become castaways with me.
You’ve written numerous books, including a couple of Sunday Times bestsellers, and you’ve also written your travel memoirs. Tell us about these…
The Accidental Adventurer is the first of my travel memoirs and it’s the story of how I went from being an unknown reality TV contestant to an adventurer. My second book, The Accidental Naturalist tells the story of my wild life with animals, from adventures with my labrador Inca to swimming with crocodiles and tracking lions with Prince William in Africa. Animals have always been a huge passion of mine because my dad was a vet and growing up I was always surrounded by them. The third (yet to be written!) will be entitled Accidental Encounters.
What do you think it is about travelling that you were addicted to?
The freedom. The excitement that anything was possible. Here in the UK we still have these brackets, these expectations in life, that you get a job and that there’s a normal life that most people lead. As soon as I left this country it was like, Wow! Look at this whole world that’s here. Why do I have to live in England? Why do I have to conform to normality? Why can’t I come and live here for the rest of my life?
How does being away so much impact on your family life? How do you deal with this?
It’s tough. I’m writing this from a remote corner of Washington State where I’m living in a cave. My life is one of long absences, but we make it work as a family. It’s my job. I need to do it and I also happen to love it and the family understand that. To counterbalance all the time away we spend every other moment together. We travel a great deal as a family.
What kind of adventures do you dream of having with your family?
I’d love to spend a year travelling the world. Exploring and learning together. Can there be a better education for young children?
What’s your advice to anyone who has an extreme dream?
Make the dream a reality. Go for it. I’m a firm believer that people who risk nothing, do nothing. It sums up why I do what I do and where I think society needs to go. Without risk you can’t experience life. There have to be risks, physically and mentally, taken by everyone.
For more information about Ben visit his website. You can also connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
