Survivor of Grisly Shark Attack, Paul de Gelder, Reflects on Life After the Incident

Paul de Gelder, a former diver in the Australian Navy, faced death in February 2009. In a routine counter-terrorism training exercise near Garden Island in Sydney Harbour, a nine-foot bull shark attacked him, resulting in the loss of his right leg and part of his right arm.

After a long recovery process and being fitted with prosthetic limbs, he documented his journey in his memoir “No Time for Fear: How a Shark Attack Survivor Beat the Odds” in 2011.

Following his time in the Navy, de Gelder became a motivational speaker, mentor, actor, and TV personality, appearing on Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” program.

Aside from his debut book, he has written other books, including “Big Red Bruce: The Kangaroo Who Lost His Tail,” a children’s book released in July last year.

Despite his achievements, de Gelder remains humble, stating, “I don’t think anything I’ve done is particularly special.”

“We all go through hard times, and my story isn’t any better, bigger, or more important than anyone else’s,” he said in a recent interview with The Epoch Times.

Reflecting on his time in the military, de Gelder adopted the mantra “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome,” which helped him recover from his injuries.

His experiences in his youth also played a significant role in shaping him into the person he is today.

Despite being terrified of sharks before the attack, de Gelder is now a passionate advocate for shark conservation, emphasizing the importance of these creatures in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.

‘The Mantra Hasn’t Changed’

Even 15 years after the shark attack, de Gelder still lives by the mantra he learned in the Army, believing it to be a useful tool in overcoming life’s obstacles.

“Improvise, adapt, and overcome” remains a guiding principle in his life, helping him face challenges with resilience and determination.

He emphasizes the importance of community and working together to overcome difficulties, highlighting the strength found in unity.