Paul de Gelder

IMPROVISE...ADAPT...OVERCOME...

These three words – a mantra Paul learnt in the Australian Army as a young Paratrooper – resonated with him the first time he heard them.

 

Paul de Gelder chased adventure wherever he could find it, from his wild ride as a teen looking for adventure, and his whirlwind lifestyle working in clubs & the music industry to hauling his way up to the elite echelons of the Australian Defence Forces as an Army paratrooper and then Navy bomb disposal diver. But trouble hunted him down in the form of a 10 foot bull shark in February 2009 while diving for the Navy. Paul lost two limbs, and his career as a daredevil diver was flung into jeopardy. Drawing on everything his eventful life had taught him, Paul left nothing to chance, conducting his own rehabilitation. He fought through excruciating pain, smashing challenge after challenge whilst amazing the medical staff and the Australian public with his will to succeed, and returned to full-time Navy service after only 6 months.

 

His inspiring story as detailed in his autobiography “Uncaged’, takes the saying “never say die” to a whole new level.

 

In the years since the shark attack, Paul's life has changed in every aspect.

 

Having left full time Navy Service in August 2012, after continuing to instruct Navy Divers for a further three years, Paul has travelled the world as a top motivational speaker, passionate environmentalist, adventurer and mentor to school kids. He has spoken at venues across the globe, from the United Nations in New York, to conferences across the U.S. , China, London, Vietnam, New Zealand, and of course, Australia. Paul has also been a guest on every major Australian TV talk show and many in the U.S. He starred as a guest trainer twice on the Biggest Loser Australia, and has hosted over 30 documentaries for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Where he learnt to hand feed bull sharks, great hammerheads, blue sharks, tiger sharks and even dive Great Whites without the protection of a cage.

 

Mega star Will Smith Featured Paul in his Facebook series “Bucket List” as his shark diving mentor, UFC hall of famer Ronda Rousey was taught how to hand feed bull sharks by Paul, and most recently Iron Mike Tyson became Paul’s shark diving student.

 

Paul also became part of an anti-poaching team in Africa to film the amazing work done by the Rangers there for "FEARLESS", aired on NatGeo.

 

Paul has been touted as one of the top 15 inspirational Australians and top 10 speakers and now based in Los Angeles he continues his work with Discovery Channel whilst adding a growing number of acting credits to his repertoire.

 

An incredible life and an incredible story. 

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