How I Escaped Polar Bears, Crossed Antarctica & Cut Off My Fingers | Minutes With

In this week's episode of Minutes With, we had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary Sir Ranulph Fiennes, hailed as the world's 'Greatest Living Explorer.' Sir Ranulph recounts his early days in the Special Air Service (SAS), the extensive preparations for his historic Transglobe Expedition (1982), and the harrowing challenges faced during his Antarctic crossing. He recalls near escapes with Polar Bears in the arctic, recalls incredible survival stories of endurance, and reveals how the frostbite he sustained ultimately led to a decision to amputate his own fingers.
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[@LADbible]

Thank you to Sir Ranulph Fiennes for sharing his story with us. His new book ‘Around the World in 80 Years: A Life of Exploration’ is available now.

[@Bonkers4Hex]

Could you pass it on to Sir Ranulph to research ibogaine (Iboga), it is used to cure Parkinsons, thanks.

[@jimmy66603]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes autobiography, "MAD, BAD, AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW" is another read that I highly recommend to anyone who would like to find out in detail how mentally and physically hard this legendary knight of ours is. This quote from Sir Ranulph Fiennes alwy makes me giggle, and at the same time feel proud to be British. "I did not intend to blow up anything in particular, but fancied the notion that I had the capacity to do so" 🤣💪🙌🙌🙌🙌🇬🇧👌

[@hugopereirinha1003]

He borow one of my working shirts (I work in a Hotel)to go to an event when he came to Lisbon present his book "Mad, Bad & Dangerous to know" and gave me his "chiq" shirt that his assistant bought for him ... he told me that we wasn't confortable with it (too fancy! he said) Big respect for this unique Man!!! I still have his greeting card thanking me along with a sign book wchich I've read and made me understand the real nature of some with a pionier spirit I was truly surprised by stumbling on this video Thank you!! Best from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@100275379]

😊😊😅 8:41 ​@@jimmy66603

[@libertarian100]

It doesn't surprise me. The Earth is Flat and Globalism is Done. Hyperborea may exist at Magnetic North directly under Polaris. If we stay here we die. We have nothing to lose.

[@christopherdaly1399]

Let's not forget his wife. Sounds like she was the backbone of everything and accompanied him on many of the early ventures like the Nile trip.

[@Justinicus24]

nah she cheated on him msny times look it up. sorry to break it to ya

[@libertarian100]

It doesn't surprise me. The Earth is Flat and Globalism is Done. Hyperborea may exist at Magnetic North directly under Polaris. If we stay here we die. We have nothing to lose.

[@Daz759]

​@@Justinicus24 can't find anything about that???

[@capellozapellini6074]

He’s so casual when talking about cutting off his fingers, what a legend

[@Dominick_Francione]

Seriously. I speak with a higher level of intensity and self pity when discussing stubbing my toe. We can learn a lot from a legend like this man.

[@simonscycling3692]

Everyone who has had frostbite does the same thing eventually. Maurice Herzog, first ascent of Annapurna in 1950, pulled his dead fingers and toes off in a train somewhere in India, so it's all a bit clichéd by the time Fiennes did the same thing in his shed TBH. Frostbitten fingers are Dead by definition - there is no sensation, and they cannot be saved. So, they get in the way, and either drop off or you pull them off. The real trick is not to get frostbite in the first place.

[@yggdrasild755]

@@simonscycling3692 ikr

[@LudiCrust.]

People don’t understand that frostbite fingers are extremely painful. Cutting them off relieves the pain & isn’t painful to do; it’s exactly like pulling an infected tooth. You’re going through level 3 pain to kill level 10 pain.

[@LudiCrust.]

@@simonscycling3692if they’re completely dead there’s no pain at all but if parts are especially the bone it is extremely painful. Cutting them off is nothing. 9 out of 10 people would cut them off to stop the pain. Just think how painful your fingers are when you go inside after just shoveling snow for 30 minutes well frostbit fingers are 100 times more painful than that. It really is like having a frosbit tooth with all the nerve endings in there.

[@iHatePolitics]

I met Sir Ranulph when i was 14. He came to our school and told us some amazing stories of his feats including using explosives to blow up the dam. A true explorer and an absolute mad lad.

[@GardenGuy1943]

He is unemployed

[@coriT16]

​@@GardenGuy1943You sound bitter what does being unemployed at his age have to do with anything,? He explored the world you explored your back garden😂

[@simonscycling3692]

I think blowing up the dam got him RTU'd (returned to unit) from SAS selection and he never served with a Sabre (i.e. an active) Squadron as a result. I may be wrong, however?

[@zs5002]

British people are natural explorers. Something about England just makes you want to run as far away as possible

[@GardenGuy1943]

@@zs5002 it’s racism and colonialism, my father knew it all too well.

[@Rakibrown111]

Wow man, if you saw this old guy going to past you to the supermarket you’d never know what an exceptional life he’s lived, you wouldn’t know what an exceptional human being he is.

[@markorollo.]

I remember sitting in the car when I was younger waiting for my Mum, so some time in the late 80s early 90s, and an old man walked past, slowly with a cane,and I don't know why but I just immediately thought I wonder what kind of life he has lived, We need to realize that our older people are people who have lived a life and stop like we are treating them like children like a lot of people do. I don't know if that's related to your comment but it made me remember it. And I'm 50 this year so getting older is on my mind lol.

[@themerchantofengland]

​@markorollo. Hi Mark, I'm nearing my 50's as well, I try often to make casual conversation with older people, some converse some do not, those that do we have an amazing time talking, mostly about them, I get quite emotional with them, life is life bud, we all live it hey!

[@mrmaldoon8362]

%100

[@LOCATIONREDACTED]

​@@markorollo. My grandfather was in the Gurkha reg, I never forgot that, but his kids seemed to.

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

Well.. you could say that about everyone! Everyone has a story :)❤

[@richardsmith9050]

Spent much of my 76 yrs. seeking adventure as well. Traversed arctic, jungles, deserts, dealt with all forms of wildlife. This man is my kind of guy. Soon we all will pass but our adventures live forever.

[@RandomNooby]

Same, 20 years behind you, but dudes like you and Fiennes make me realise my life has barely begun. (

[@silverstreetmoto1458]

Big respect to this man, kids nowadays should try looking at him for inspiration rather than non celebrity nonsense.

[@XxBeastWTFxX]

Not like your generation was any better 😑

[@callybongo7700]

Are you jokeing? his dad used to try to kill people with tanks. Skum bags kid , is all he is

[@BhadVhibes]

@@XxBeastWTFxXtrue but he still has a point, our generation looks up to the wrong people.

[@Kelly42395]

@silversteetmoto1458, What inspiration tho? How to cross Antarctica without any support and how to shoot a polar bear while being attacked? I would highly advise any sensible person to not try that. It’s a good story to hear tho

[@libertarian100]

It doesn't surprise me. The Earth is Flat and Globalism is Done. Hyperborea may exist at Magnetic North directly under Polaris. If we stay here we die. We have nothing to lose.

[@PRCOM]

What Sir Ranulph has accomplished is remarkable, he is living proof that you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it and never give up.

[@GardenGuy1943]

It isn’t all that special

[@winsalot84]

​@@GardenGuy1943get the fuck out of here with that. You go do that expedition, supported, and I bet you fail and give up after two weeks. You're batshit.

[@r3co0]

​@GardenGuy1943 don't talk waffle, he is a true hard man.

[@GardenGuy1943]

@@r3co0 he is unemployed

[@GardenGuy1943]

@@r3co0AND disabled.

[@jimmy66603]

Many years ago I remember a newspaper article by someone who'd previously interviewed Sir Ranulph. The interviewer said it was hardest job he'd ever been on. He said that talking to Sir Ranulph was like stirring a mysterious dark void with a teaspoon. Without a shadow of doubt, Sir Ranulph Fiennes is as hard as a coffin nail. And some !

[@OngoGablogian185]

The word 'legend' is thrown around far too often these days. This man is a legend.

[@Justinicus24]

nah hes soft

[@justinriley8651]

​@Justinicus24 your mom said your soft.

[@kellymartell1292]

You take bubble baths lol ​@@Justinicus24

[@davechoi746]

Genuinely inspiring man may god bless him

[@BlaxJakx]

we NEED AND WANT more stories of Ranulph’s. What an amazing life this gentleman has led.

[@dbarrett747]

He has books and they're absolutely brilliant to read

[@BullCricket75]

OMG! I have watched so many interviews with interesting people, but this one takes the cake! I have been struggling a lot lately with pain. Feeling hopeless, like I cant find a reason to keep going. I just realized my own strength while watching this interview. If he can do THAT, I can do THIS. Thanks so much for the inspiration❤

[@xanderstamp4108]

A man I truly admire and what achievements he has had in his life. I wish I was just 5% the man he is.

[@bigjermboktown6976]

What a certified badass! Man said he got some bull clippers and a Black & Decker work bench with a vice and cut his own fingers off... I'd like to think I'm tough for some of the things I've done and have had to go through but you sir are the greatest and toughest. God bless you sir & your wife ❤️

[@joohara1985]

What a pleasure to hear you speak about just a few moments in your very colourful life! I am in complete admiration and awe! I wish you luck with your cold swimming challenges! Thank you LADbible TV - Super interview! 💕

[@rds957]

What an interesting gentleman, I’ve read his book, amazing life

[@charlesshamash1102]

Sir Randolph came to my school Sussex House when I was a young lad. I still remember him after 40 years. I was so impressed by him, and I never forgot his visit. A very cool guy.

[@zoelawrence8808]

What an amazing couple! What an amazing Team! My grandfather was in the SAS and these men are built different, destined to show people how far you can push yourself to survive. I loved this, thank you.

[@LordLorenzo834]

Absolutely unfathomable what he an his team did.

[@mzanziman9150]

Shout out from Cape Town South Africa!! Wow what a story

[@jordanwitter4291]

What a man That’s what you call “real men “‼️

[@dejavoue88]

This man is what's called a true legend.... What a life he has led . And shown the world that it can be done

[@TravisRoth-Harmon-qn6jr]

Im so inspired now. This is a real life, a superhero. Im so thankful that this man exists. I hope his name & his legacy become common knowledge in every home on the planet.

[@jay71512]

Extraordinary man. What a life hes lived. The determination he has to succeed is mind blowing.

[@Berkanann]

Do not waste your lives folks. Make the most of it!

[@BLUEGENE13]

I'd rather waste my life than do this shit frankly and so would you

[@Gilly9244]

One truly incredible man, his mental strength should be an inspiration for us all. What he’s conquered and achieved in his life is remarkable

[@Monkfutrucker]

It's men like Sir Ranulph Fiennes that have pushed mankind forward. Thank you sir.

[@greenbankreptiles]

True legend.. maximum respect.

[@otomesavesus6779]

Honestly I find his story so amazing and just mind blowing. I feel bad the sas still gave him such a hard time but him and his wife are amazing. They set goals and dreams and pushed forward head strong believing in themselves.

[@Rex..]

They don't make them like this nowdays.

[@Mcfc2Rich]

He made himself. Plenty of great expeditioner's out there

[@orpheusP]

Yea. We don't got mutilated pee pees anymore

[@Stu2be2]

And that’s how it’s encouraged

[@araven3888]

They sure don't. What a man...

[@jayzee4097]

Check out Russ Cook. He's running the length of Africa and is a legit dirt bag.

[@ScottSpiritTarot]

An amazing man, with an amazing life, and so many amazing stories. We salute you Sir

[@MichaelGalt]

Love these interviews. That man has lived life more than I can probably ever hope to. I hope he does get a bit better with that cold exposure training, but he still seems remarkably sharp even without it.

[@RhysCropper]

Thankyou sir for sharing your stories with us. Your enormous historic feats are incredibly impressive and commendable.

[@hughowen8453]

what an absolute legend. An absolute hero in my mind

[@ashleywilson8306]

I’m so glad people like him exist! What a guy.

[@mungo75]

The man is an absolute legend. What an interview!

[@itsOnMARS2023]

It was an absolute privilege listening to that. What a truly remarkable human being Sir Ranulph Fiennes is!

[@Zizzle-sg1qg]

What an amazing story and individual. Thank you for sharing his story! Very inspiring and moving!

[@user-gw9fg4hq6b]

Absolute legend, one of the most intriguing stories is The Feather Men.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

I met him at a book signing after one of his lectures. Incredibly funny, dry humour, and he was a real gent when we met. His skidoo from Transglobe is in a museum in Christchurch NZ.

[@markroberts8596]

How this man sounds ashamed of not handling cold water after what no one else will ever accomplish EVER again , especially given the state of young people today ffs, is astonishingly humble. In the nicest possible way, he’s an absolute beast of a man. Truly legendary.

[@Althesia]

Given the state of young people 😂 what about you man 🤡 There’s no shortage of stupid young people who’d run head-first into the arctic with no substantial support and no idea what they’re doing. Hopefully they, like him, have a wife who’s intelligent enough to save all their skins through proper navigation and communication…

[@willyum3920]

Remarkable, captivating and wonderful. Thank you. A hero in the truest sense.

[@seamus9750]

Had the pleasure of meeting him after reading his book in Johannesburg about 30+ years ago. Awesome !

[@tablasolo]

How have I never heard of this guy? He’s lived an amazing life.

[@noyzmunky]

Great man right there. Humble yet powerful in himself

[@iLOOOOOVEu]

Goosebumps! Absolute inspiration!

[@taz454]

What an incredible man. He really has lived.

[@jonostewart6140]

One of the greatest modern day explorers, a true inspiration!

[@northernninjarunner5506]

I have seen Ran twice now, absolute legends, such a nice bloke

[@lightofthewayshower9350]

A truly remarkable man and God rest his amazing wife soul..both pioneers.

[@TheAmericanDane]

What a man he is, someone we can be proud of, truly a legend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@johnscallobs8273]

a legend in all its true genuine form

[@shaunspost]

This is the epitome of old school tough!! Respect.

[@strbst2075]

This guy was and still is my boyhood hero

[@throwawa1]

Terrific, thanks so much for these videos

[@matthewmann7713]

One of the single greatest men to ever walk this earth! This man is harder than steel, intelligent, gentle and ferocious. He is everything a man should strive to be.

[@BenTheDoonhamer]

Amazing man, with an amazing story to tell.

[@HERTZINDAKOK]

This man is the last of a generation of strong men and women that simply put did amazing feats the likes of the world will never see again.. simply amazing. I tip my hat to you sir

[@Chris-hp1wy]

They still exist. You've just become jaded

[@paulhumphrey3402]

What a guy so inspirational they say never meet your hero’s I was lucky enough to meet him and he was everything I wanted him to be a top bloke

[@adifferentwayuk3335]

Amazing man. Great interview 😊

[@jonbrunohlongwane9140]

One of the coldest openings, brilliant!

[@gingerfloof777]

I read his autobiography in one day; I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. Great book by an amazing man.

[@user-bw8ny2ig7s]

My hat is off to you sir, we know what we know because of legends like him.

[@lincslegend6936]

Wow! What an amazing video. 👏 , to think what he and his team achieved without modern technology is incredible.

[@ryankehir7002]

A proper toff and a proper legend!!!!

[@SevenGC89]

Damn Sir, that was absolutely amazing story, this is one of the last chances (at least until deeper space travel starts happening) where we can hear about journeying into the unknown out into uncharted wastelands. You looked like you were quite the lady killer back in the day Sir, loved listening to your story, my Grandad passed last year and he used to tell me stories all the time, he served in the US Navy during his life and he had such fun stories , almost felt like I was reconnecting with him here so thank you for that.

[@halo3tes4]

I don't know what to say! Awe inspiring is an understatement ,recounts his life like a normal 9-5 job

[@carolynclarke8911]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MAN! ABSOLUTELY 💯 UNBELIEVABLE LIFE. GOOD HEATH TO THIS MAN 🥰

[@tminusnyc2915]

WHAT A MANIAC!!!!!!! Much respect from NYC.

[@Paul-D]

What an incredible man, Learnt of Sir Ranulph many years ago and although its kind of sad to see him in less good health now he has experienced more life then 99% of us ever will.

[@jasonallen6081]

Yeah but, what a life !

[@damianmckenna9899]

The real definition of a man💪

[@scsutton1]

I would just like to say that I genuinely had no idea that Sir Ranulph was suffering from Parkinson's. I wish him nothing but the best in the fight against this terrible illness and hope that he continues to inspire for years to come.

[@sharpstudio241]

What an amazing story, he’s one tough dude!

[@susanlester1]

My goodness, what a handsome young man he was and an extraordinary life he has lived.

[@jayeharrison4533]

Wow, this is an amazing person.

[@RC-nv6rc]

Sir ranulph fiennes, absolute legend

[@MrAidanfleming]

Incredible!

[@LuckkyCanuck]

What an absolute legend!

[@Platoson]

OMG!! What a guy! I always thought David Goggins is the toughest man on the planet, but move over David, this guy is on another level.

[@assymcgee7217]

Ran is a great man with a fascinating catalogue of adventures , I'd recommend any of his books.

[@matthewsmith7502]

Such a genuinely fascinating and inspiring gentleman. I have to commend Ladbible for such a brilliant interview. I hadn't realised it was all the fingers on his left hand that were amputated, I thought it was just one or two. How he described it, which I very vividly recall also on Top Gear, is brutal, yet so candidi. I don't like using the term, but Sir Ranulph, and indeed Ginny Fiennes, are national treasures

[@andrewdunn63]

😅

[@nikolinacvitkovic4665]

I loved his docu series with Joe in Egypt. Has so many great stories.

[@robbellphoto]

Thank you for this ❤

[@paulcamus8944]

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is my fucking hero. Whenever I doubt myself I think of his life, tenacity and experience and it lights a rocket under me and I get things done. One of the greatest explorers in history.

[@sstritmatter2158]

The guy is incredible. I somewhat thing he set these incredible goals in part to make his dad proud if he were around to see it. I think it bothered him that he couldn't be like his dad - a war hero and couldn't follow the same path, but still did incredible things anyway. Really a tough man!

[@yesthisispatrick1428]

He's also perfectly spoken

[@fidgetmackenzie9419]

His book ‘cold’ is incredible, very gripping and great stories in there, highly recommended

[@mtbgreg]

What a guy, incredible!

[@davidlewis4162]

Truly amazing person and story

[@YouKnowMeBruv]

The definition of a national treasure

[@robsmithadventures1537]

He's written some great biographies on Scott and Shackleton. Incredible stories this man has.

[@hairychris444]

I was taken by my dad to see him do a talk on his Everest expedition 40-odd years ago, and have a signed poster of him somewhere in my parent's loft. He's a proper old-school adventurer, aka a complete nutter.

[@jalenn757]

What an incredible man.

[@traylaitken-cade6112]

Thankyou . What an inspirational man .

[@stevedoggart2805]

A genuine Boys Own Hero.

[@tubefreakmuva]

This guy has the most tolerance to pain I've ever heard of. Solid .

[@step4798]

I remember Sir Fiennes from about 20 years ago when he "first" stated being picked up by the mainstream media telling his story, and I was fascinated. He is more that his stories, he is an amazing human being, who else would chop of their toes after frostbite because of the pain and no doctor would do it, but you take a knife yourself and do it? He is a legend!!!! Look at his left hand, he lost so many things by going to places people could not do.

[@nlbm]

Amazing life, amazing couple, what a great life story.

[@adambritain5774]

I used to be a soldier and always thought i’d done some pretty difficult/challenging things but then i was given a book written by Ranulph Fiennes called Cold and it completely opened my eyes. These people are once in a generation.

[@AChadburn]

I'm currently reading his book about his crossing of Antarctica with Dr. Stroud, those men are unbelievably tough, the grit that they have is unparalleled. These are the kind of people kids should look up to, not reality TV fools.

[@golach420]

LEGEND!❤