Bear Grylls on the importance of having role models and why success in life goes beyond academic achievements.

• BecomingX Education, the newest initiative from BecomingX, a global learning and development organization founded by Grylls in 2020, has recently been launched.
• During his school life in England, Grylls admitted that he wasn't an excellent student.
• But what Grylls also remembers was the reaction he received from his father.

Bear Grylls, a renowned global survival expert and adventurer, revealed to CNBC that his role models, including his father, imparted to him the notion that there was more to life than just academic excellence.

Grylls stated that he was inspired by many individuals who had a significant impact on his career, including early and later teachers, as well as his late father.

During his time at school in England, Grylls admitted that he wasn't a straight-A student, as he often didn't receive excellent school reports when he returned home.

But what Grylls also remembers was the reaction he received from his father.

My father never valued my achievements in sports or academics, as he didn't prioritize them when I returned.

He used to ask about my happiness, what I loved, and my relationships with friends, which always mattered more to him.

Personal development gap

BecomingX Education, a new digital platform for schools to teach personal development and life skills, has been launched by Grylls, the global learning and development organization he co-founded in 2020.

He argued that governments worldwide should recognize the need for personal development in education, stating that "we are failing young people" if we solely concentrate on academics and natural talent.

The government must recognize the importance of personal development in curriculums, as most programs are inadequate and unengaging.

Such new programs should be included in the school curriculum, as stated by Grylls.

Schools consistently report positive feedback on our product, and when we trial it, students love it. Teachers also appreciate it because it helps them do their job effectively, with 99% of teachers being exceptional in their desire for tools to inspire and teach kids well.

If academic programs don't have enough space, timetables won't accommodate it, which means students are underserved. Therefore, the government should support BecomingX and ensure that schools with limited resources can also access it.

Covid crisis

International businesses who have already funded his initiative for schools include and Capita.

The BecomingX Foundation, established by the organization, aims to empower schools globally, particularly those with limited resources, to access the programs that teach skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, resilience, and mental health.

The best-selling author and TV star stated that the timing of this program's launch was perfect, following the outbreak of Covid-19.

The pandemic has been a perfect timing for BecomingX. It feels right to launch BecomingX Education now, as young people need these skills, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.