What do you think?
Rate this book
No Time for Fear: How a Shark Attack Survivor Beat the Odds
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. These three words—the mantra of the Australian Army—resonated with Paul de Gelder the first time he heard them. Paul chased adventure wherever he could find it, from his wild ride as a hoodlum teen and his drug-and-alcohol fueled stint working in a strip club to hauling his way up to the elite echelons of the defense forces. But trouble hunted him down in the form of a brutal shark in February 2009. Paul lost two limbs, and his career as a daredevil navy clearance diver was flung into jeopardy. Drawing on everything his eventful life had taught him, Paul left nothing to chance in his recovery. He fought through excruciating pain, smashing challenge after challenge, and amazing the medical staff with his will to succeed. His inspiring story takes "never say die" to a whole new level. From rebel, drug dealer and strip club worker to adventurer, soldier, fitness enthusiast, Navy diver, shark attack survivor, top motivational speaker and mentor to school kids across Australia, Paul de Gelder is an exceptional young man. He is now determined to carve out the best future for himself he could possibly imagine. Paul is a true survivor and an incredible inspiration.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Paul de Gelder
12 books42 followersFrom rebel, drug dealer and strip club worker to adventurer, soldier, fitness enthusiast, Navy diver, shark attack survivor, top motivational speaker and mentor to schoolkids across Australia, Paul de Gelder is an exceptional young man. He is now determined to carve out the best future for himself he could possibly imagine. Paul is a true survivor and an incredible inspiration.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 5, 2020
If I had come to myself as I was 5 years ago and said that I will have read an inspirational memoir about a shark attack victim and the tale of his life before and after the big event, my old self would have probably have laughed in my face.
"What," the old me would have said, "the hell would have inspired you to read such unabashed tripe?"
I'd reply, "I got roped into it."
"You sure you didn't get tossed in the drink to be a chew toy?"
"Eh, smartass. It's meant to be INSPIRATIONAL."
"Why, because you're such a stubborn athletic specimen that had gone through both Australian infantry and the dive teams? Because you really have that go-getter f*** y** attitude?"
"I am stubborn, you jerk."
"Yeah, yeah."
So I read this and it is inspirational. The boy succeeded against the odds.
But do you know what I really got out of this?
He's got some top-notch toys now. He's gone transhumanist. He's a real-life swimming cyborg.
Okay. I'm a bit weird.
"What," the old me would have said, "the hell would have inspired you to read such unabashed tripe?"
I'd reply, "I got roped into it."
"You sure you didn't get tossed in the drink to be a chew toy?"
"Eh, smartass. It's meant to be INSPIRATIONAL."
"Why, because you're such a stubborn athletic specimen that had gone through both Australian infantry and the dive teams? Because you really have that go-getter f*** y** attitude?"
"I am stubborn, you jerk."
"Yeah, yeah."
So I read this and it is inspirational. The boy succeeded against the odds.
But do you know what I really got out of this?
He's got some top-notch toys now. He's gone transhumanist. He's a real-life swimming cyborg.
Okay. I'm a bit weird.
September 29, 2018
One February morning in 2009 Paul was attacked by a 3 metre (9.8 ft) bull shark in Sydney Harbour. As a result, he lost part of his right arm, and his right leg from the knee down.
In this book, he goes back over his childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood. He sowed a lot of wild oats, cut himself off from his family, and was living a life with no direction whatsoever. So, to try to stop his downward slide, in 2000, he joined the Australian Army. Despite the odds, given his background, it turned out he loved it. He prided himself on working hard, and excelling. He finally found his real niche when he became one of the elite Navy Clearance Divers. Which was why he was swimming in Sydney Harbour on that day in 2009 ....
Some reviewers found him to be egotistical, but I didn't take it that way at all. He knew he'd thrown away a big hunk of his early life on stupid things, and he had worked damn hard in the ensuing years to better himself. After the attack, he made up his mind that he wasn't going to lose out on life just because some ol' bull shark tried to have him for breakfast. He pushed himself HARD to recuperate, to get fit again, to return to doing a lot of the things he loved to do. So, yes, he has an attitude ... but it's not ego driven ... it's survival driven.
"There really wasn’t one or even just a few things that were the most challenging. Every single thing about life became a struggle. From the moment I woke up in the morning after a horrible, sometimes drug-induced sleep until the time I went to bed and laid there trying not to think about the pain I was in, I was struggling. But I couldn’t show that a lot because I was desperately trying to reclaim my life and convince everyone around me that I could still do my job. I was literally fighting through every single day with as much fake positivity as I could muster. Training as hard as I could, practicing and relearning everything from tying shoelaces to eating and cooking, showering on one leg, walking, weight training, running, driving, swimming, brushing my teeth, housework. Every single thing in life with only one leg, crutches and then prosthetics and a hand which wasn’t even my master hand. It was the worst thing I’ve ever gone through, and I cried myself to sleep many a night. But I had to succeed because I wanted my life back so I just kept pushing the limits even through many follow-up surgeries that would take me back to square one."
"Negativity is a vacuum in which nothing else can exist. It has no usefulness, and I decided to ban it from my life. I had no fear of failure because, if I wanted something enough, I’d bite into it and hold on like a rottweiler at a dog fight until it was accomplished. I’d do all that I possibly could not to fail."
"Life is here to be lived. And with the right attitude and willingness to deal with the hurdles, it can be bloody awesome."
Several photos ... including a couple of graphic ones showing his injuries.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
In this book, he goes back over his childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood. He sowed a lot of wild oats, cut himself off from his family, and was living a life with no direction whatsoever. So, to try to stop his downward slide, in 2000, he joined the Australian Army. Despite the odds, given his background, it turned out he loved it. He prided himself on working hard, and excelling. He finally found his real niche when he became one of the elite Navy Clearance Divers. Which was why he was swimming in Sydney Harbour on that day in 2009 ....
Some reviewers found him to be egotistical, but I didn't take it that way at all. He knew he'd thrown away a big hunk of his early life on stupid things, and he had worked damn hard in the ensuing years to better himself. After the attack, he made up his mind that he wasn't going to lose out on life just because some ol' bull shark tried to have him for breakfast. He pushed himself HARD to recuperate, to get fit again, to return to doing a lot of the things he loved to do. So, yes, he has an attitude ... but it's not ego driven ... it's survival driven.
"There really wasn’t one or even just a few things that were the most challenging. Every single thing about life became a struggle. From the moment I woke up in the morning after a horrible, sometimes drug-induced sleep until the time I went to bed and laid there trying not to think about the pain I was in, I was struggling. But I couldn’t show that a lot because I was desperately trying to reclaim my life and convince everyone around me that I could still do my job. I was literally fighting through every single day with as much fake positivity as I could muster. Training as hard as I could, practicing and relearning everything from tying shoelaces to eating and cooking, showering on one leg, walking, weight training, running, driving, swimming, brushing my teeth, housework. Every single thing in life with only one leg, crutches and then prosthetics and a hand which wasn’t even my master hand. It was the worst thing I’ve ever gone through, and I cried myself to sleep many a night. But I had to succeed because I wanted my life back so I just kept pushing the limits even through many follow-up surgeries that would take me back to square one."
"Negativity is a vacuum in which nothing else can exist. It has no usefulness, and I decided to ban it from my life. I had no fear of failure because, if I wanted something enough, I’d bite into it and hold on like a rottweiler at a dog fight until it was accomplished. I’d do all that I possibly could not to fail."
"Life is here to be lived. And with the right attitude and willingness to deal with the hurdles, it can be bloody awesome."
Several photos ... including a couple of graphic ones showing his injuries.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
August 6, 2020
I’ve known this guy from an episode of Shark Week in 2019. I did a double-take back then when I saw that he was a double-amputee and not only diving but with sharks! Upon research, I found out that he had lost both limbs in the same accident in Sydney harbor - to a bull shark.
Paul de Gelder joined the Australian military, first the Army, then the Navy. Eventually, he became a Clearance Diver, an elite group of the AU Navy. In 2009, during a training exercise, a bull shark attacked him and took most of his upper leg as well as his hand (both on the right side). Amputating the leg was the best option so he went for it. From that day on, his life changed dramatically.
Not only because he had to sell the love of his life (an Aprilia motorcycle), but also because he could no longer work the job he loved. But never fear, it all worked out for him. He had a chance to get back in the water relatively soon and even went to swim with sharks to overcome his discomfort. That kickstarted him becoming an activist for the animals’ conservation as well as a public speaker and TV host for various shark-related programs.
This book details not only the gruesome fight for survival in the water as well as the difficult recovery afterwards, it also tells the story of a weird-ass kid, very troubled teenager and daredevil young guy who transformed into … well, a daredevil shark-lover who keeps pushing himself. What I like about Paul de Gelder is that he has achieved more since he became a double-amputee than 99% of „whole“ people do in three lifetimes. He never accepts no for an answer. And even if he is in a situation he regrets (like that Shark Week challenge where he was „lost at sea“), he adapts and overcomes. Like he was taught in the military.
I know the line is cheesy but also true: „when the going gets tough the tough get going“ - Paul de Gelder is the embodiment of that. And he has a sense of quirky humor about it too! :D
Rounding off the reading experience are photographs, yes, also of his injuries.
I hear he’s gonna re-publish the book since it’s difficult to find it outside of Australia. I hope he’ll include an update of the years between this version’s publication and now. Would be very interesting indeed!
Some further reading for those interested in this guy: https://www.insidehook.com/article/ac...
(It has the original promo video for this book.)
Paul de Gelder joined the Australian military, first the Army, then the Navy. Eventually, he became a Clearance Diver, an elite group of the AU Navy. In 2009, during a training exercise, a bull shark attacked him and took most of his upper leg as well as his hand (both on the right side). Amputating the leg was the best option so he went for it. From that day on, his life changed dramatically.
Not only because he had to sell the love of his life (an Aprilia motorcycle), but also because he could no longer work the job he loved. But never fear, it all worked out for him. He had a chance to get back in the water relatively soon and even went to swim with sharks to overcome his discomfort. That kickstarted him becoming an activist for the animals’ conservation as well as a public speaker and TV host for various shark-related programs.
This book details not only the gruesome fight for survival in the water as well as the difficult recovery afterwards, it also tells the story of a weird-ass kid, very troubled teenager and daredevil young guy who transformed into … well, a daredevil shark-lover who keeps pushing himself. What I like about Paul de Gelder is that he has achieved more since he became a double-amputee than 99% of „whole“ people do in three lifetimes. He never accepts no for an answer. And even if he is in a situation he regrets (like that Shark Week challenge where he was „lost at sea“), he adapts and overcomes. Like he was taught in the military.
I know the line is cheesy but also true: „when the going gets tough the tough get going“ - Paul de Gelder is the embodiment of that. And he has a sense of quirky humor about it too! :D
Rounding off the reading experience are photographs, yes, also of his injuries.
I hear he’s gonna re-publish the book since it’s difficult to find it outside of Australia. I hope he’ll include an update of the years between this version’s publication and now. Would be very interesting indeed!
Some further reading for those interested in this guy: https://www.insidehook.com/article/ac...
(It has the original promo video for this book.)
July 6, 2019
Inspirational through and through.
August 22, 2014
Through the beginning of this book, I couldn't help thinking that when he was a young person, I would not have liked to have known Paul de Gelder! I was wondering "how on earth did he have it in him to turn his life around & become a Navy Clearance Diver?" What happened???
However, upon reading further ( and I must say...I couldn't put the book down)I have the utmost respect for Paul de Gelder.
Paul's story shows what determination is all about. When you really want something, nothing can stop you.
Paul...I take my hat off to you, for the wonderful human being that you have become & all the obstacles you have overcome to get there!
This book is full of inspiration & I highly recommend it.
However, upon reading further ( and I must say...I couldn't put the book down)I have the utmost respect for Paul de Gelder.
Paul's story shows what determination is all about. When you really want something, nothing can stop you.
Paul...I take my hat off to you, for the wonderful human being that you have become & all the obstacles you have overcome to get there!
This book is full of inspiration & I highly recommend it.
August 5, 2011
Inspirational... the guy has seen and done a lot... I see him around work alot and find him VERY motivating... especially when I see him at the gym punching out more and better pushups on one arm then most people I know can do with two!!! He has made what could have been a really bad thing in his life into something postive and doing a lot of good with it! Well done DG!!
May 18, 2013
I could not put this down, such a motivating book, being an ex athlete myself, I loved the description of his training and what he experienced. His resolve and capacity to overcome every challenge on his journey is awe inspiring.
September 21, 2017
I listened to the audio version of this book. I particularly enjoyed discs 3,4,5 & 6. Discs 1 & 2 in the main provided a background of Paul de Gelder's life. The narration in my opinion was of a particularly high standard.
February 14, 2013
my dad read this and told me to read it cause it was inspiring and all that jazz.
It is the tale of how to turn from a complete dickhead into a decent human being who happens to be fit and in the army and such. Since I'm already a decent human being it doesn't inspire me much except to keep pursuing my fitness to a high level but I would be doing that anyway.
His story is interesting but his writing isn't great.
It is the tale of how to turn from a complete dickhead into a decent human being who happens to be fit and in the army and such. Since I'm already a decent human being it doesn't inspire me much except to keep pursuing my fitness to a high level but I would be doing that anyway.
His story is interesting but his writing isn't great.
August 2, 2018
A slow start, but beyond inspirational. Super quick read. And if you’re into Australian accents, he narrates his own audiobook. Seriously though, this book has inspired me to stop being so negative. I STILL HAVE ALL MY LIMBS.
November 2, 2015
Inspiring. Sue Williams is a master ghost writer.
April 15, 2025
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: non-fiction - memoir
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it’s a great overview of what’s to come
Sum it up: it’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it and if you ever needed an example of this, say hello to Paul de Gelder. From wayward teen and no hoper adult, de Gelder shares how his desire to take back his life lead him to the Australian Army. This makes for an interesting and inspiring read in itself; but as de Gelder searched for more in life, he became a Navy Clearance Diver, which in turn led to him becoming the victim of a horrific shark attack. What comes next would defeat most people, but not de Gelder, for ‘victim’ is not in his vocabulary. In his own laid back style, he shares the good, bad and ugly of rebuilding his life limb by limb, literally. The writing is honest, candid and no nonsense; yet comes across conversationally, as if de Gelder is speaking to you personally, which for me is how a memoir should read. I liked the paragraphs dotted throughout the book, where his family, friends and medical team make cameo appearances, as this added another dimension to an already fascinating read. de Gelder might be at pains to say he is not inspirational, he’s just a man who improvises, adapts and overcomes; but this truly is an inspiring and motivational must read book, that you’ll take a lot away from. I cannot recommend this eggscellent read highly enough.
Who should read it: anyone who enjoys memoirs and/or has an interest in the military must read this, but it really is a book that anyone and everyone would be hard pressed not to like and take something away from.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @peggyanne_readsandruns on Instagram.
Genre: non-fiction - memoir
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it’s a great overview of what’s to come
Sum it up: it’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it and if you ever needed an example of this, say hello to Paul de Gelder. From wayward teen and no hoper adult, de Gelder shares how his desire to take back his life lead him to the Australian Army. This makes for an interesting and inspiring read in itself; but as de Gelder searched for more in life, he became a Navy Clearance Diver, which in turn led to him becoming the victim of a horrific shark attack. What comes next would defeat most people, but not de Gelder, for ‘victim’ is not in his vocabulary. In his own laid back style, he shares the good, bad and ugly of rebuilding his life limb by limb, literally. The writing is honest, candid and no nonsense; yet comes across conversationally, as if de Gelder is speaking to you personally, which for me is how a memoir should read. I liked the paragraphs dotted throughout the book, where his family, friends and medical team make cameo appearances, as this added another dimension to an already fascinating read. de Gelder might be at pains to say he is not inspirational, he’s just a man who improvises, adapts and overcomes; but this truly is an inspiring and motivational must read book, that you’ll take a lot away from. I cannot recommend this eggscellent read highly enough.
Who should read it: anyone who enjoys memoirs and/or has an interest in the military must read this, but it really is a book that anyone and everyone would be hard pressed not to like and take something away from.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @peggyanne_readsandruns on Instagram.
October 22, 2019
This book would have been a lot better if details of earlier life was condensed. As it were, I was really greatly disliking the author, the more I read. In his youth, he was a violent, drug using and selling, truant binge drinking... idiot. There are passages throughout the book that quite his friends and family. Both of his parents say he was ‘a good boy’. Umm, no he wasn’t. See above.
Then he joined the military and seemed to have a purpose and outlet for his aggression. Those parts of the book were interesting - at least the training aspects and general life. The extreme levels of toxic masculinity were not. (Refer to the ‘fat chicks’ part.)
Then there was the shark attack itself which was horrendous, as were the gruesome photos.
Then rehab and life after the attack. These parts of the book were interesting and the main reason why I wanted to read it.
Some reviewers have felt the author to be boastful but I didn’t get that impression. It took a lot of strength and determination to overcome his terrible experience and it’s aftermath and he was straightforward in telling it like it was. There was no need for false modesty. Having said that, the writing could have been so much better. Eloquence is not his strength and too many colloquialisms were allowed to slip into the narrative, which detracted from the story that was being told.
But one major kudos to the author- his attitude towards sharks post attack, and speaking out against shark culls. I particularly like that he mentions the environmental impact shark culling has to oceans and how it distrusts the ecological balance. I wish he went into further detail on this issue in the book.
Then he joined the military and seemed to have a purpose and outlet for his aggression. Those parts of the book were interesting - at least the training aspects and general life. The extreme levels of toxic masculinity were not. (Refer to the ‘fat chicks’ part.)
Then there was the shark attack itself which was horrendous, as were the gruesome photos.
Then rehab and life after the attack. These parts of the book were interesting and the main reason why I wanted to read it.
Some reviewers have felt the author to be boastful but I didn’t get that impression. It took a lot of strength and determination to overcome his terrible experience and it’s aftermath and he was straightforward in telling it like it was. There was no need for false modesty. Having said that, the writing could have been so much better. Eloquence is not his strength and too many colloquialisms were allowed to slip into the narrative, which detracted from the story that was being told.
But one major kudos to the author- his attitude towards sharks post attack, and speaking out against shark culls. I particularly like that he mentions the environmental impact shark culling has to oceans and how it distrusts the ecological balance. I wish he went into further detail on this issue in the book.
September 2, 2018
Paul de Gelder is nothing short of being a super human. His military background lent him the physicality that most of us would only hope to achieve. It’s also that physical training which I believe helped enable him to have such mental perseverance as well. After reading Paul’s attack and what he had to overcome, it really is the mental aspects more than anything that can make us all thrive or flounder when faced with such life altering adversities. By the end of the book, one is left with the same feelings as all of his peers and family. To be more brave, don’t whine, get up, workout more, enjoy life. Improvise, adapt, overcome. It’s amazing to see what Paul has go on to do with Shark week since this book was written.
August 4, 2023
This was just meh. I say that after reading his 2nd and latest book and that was really good. This one read like an autobiography and a lot covered his childhood/teen years, young adulthood and then the shark attack. I did like how resiliant he was and still is to not let the lost of his two limbs (right arm, right leg) keep him down. It's very inspirational. I did like the little snippets where his friends/family/co-workers talked about him from their POV.
June 6, 2017
Great book! I loved how most of the book was actually about how he got attacked and the events leading up to it. It explained how he grew up and how he changed a lot. It then went into a section of the book about the aftermath of the attack. Really inspiring story and worth a read!
April 16, 2022
What an amazing man and what an inspiration he is to others. This book was very well written and informative. Even before the shark attack the accomplishments that Paul had achieved are more than normal. I love watching him in shark week.
September 3, 2022
I just absolutely love Paul, his inspiring story, and his astonishing bravery. Very well written—but more than that—very well read by Paul, himself. What I loved the most about the audio book version was how he read his book in his true, hysterical, vulnerable fashion. A MUST read!!
January 26, 2019
Amazing story of positivity and overcoming so much to continue moving forward despite losing two limbs to a shark.
June 8, 2021
Very Inspirational
Never give up on your dreams even when things are not going you way. Stay positive and have positive people around you.
Never give up on your dreams even when things are not going you way. Stay positive and have positive people around you.
August 23, 2021
How very inspiring!
September 18, 2022
A wonderful story of perseverance and determination.
May 21, 2024
Good example of how to approach life and just keep on going no matter what happens to you.
February 11, 2025
Enjoyed hearing about his life outside of the shark week moments we know and love him for!
October 25, 2021
A great read. Truely an amazing look into a brave and encouraging person.
July 23, 2012
This was difficult to read at times, lots of info about his military training and his upbringing. I gave it 4 stars because he is AMAZING... I don't think I can imagine anyone in his situation being more positive or working harder to recover. He's definitely an inspiration. No doubt all that military training and fighting growing up really prepared him to recover from this ordeal so it's definitely relevant to the story. Worth a read!
July 6, 2015
I was a massive fan of Paul's before I read this book and I'm pleased this bloke came through his ordeal and can inspire others..... But, arrogant much?
He comes across as so full of himself- he's not afraid to talk himself up AT ALL!
It's good he turned his life around before it was too late, but is he really a good guy?
With comments about blowing off steam by "rooting fat chicks" I was turned right off this guy.
I wish him well, but this tale left me cold
He comes across as so full of himself- he's not afraid to talk himself up AT ALL!
It's good he turned his life around before it was too late, but is he really a good guy?
With comments about blowing off steam by "rooting fat chicks" I was turned right off this guy.
I wish him well, but this tale left me cold
April 18, 2012
I loved this book so much, I actually hated knowing when I was nearing the end of it. I was just so enthralled in his life and everything he went through, his mentality was so inspirational to me, post and pre shark attack, he just had an amazing hold on life. I enjoyed reading this book ! A+
September 24, 2014
Paul de Gelder is a true inspiration to everyone, to overcome such drastic changes in his life caused by events that he could not control himself is incredible. He truly did beat all odds. The book is truly worth a read!
December 26, 2011
Great story though not nearly as inspirational as seeing and hearing Paul in person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews