When I wrote my book ‘A Life That Counts‘ there were a couple of people I wanted in the book who I thought were inspirational but for one reason or another couldn’t be part of it. Paul Degelder is one of those inspirational people – a navy clearance diver who was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour. Read and watch his story and be inspired …

Sydney Morning Herald, Feb. 11, 2009. A navy diver fought off a shark as it attacked him during an anti-terrorism training exercise in Sydney Harbour, the navy says. Able Seaman Paul Degelder, 31, of the clearance diving team based at HMAS Penguin at Balmoral,  is in a serious but stable condition following the attack at Woolloomooloo Bay, in Sydney’s inner east, just before 7am today. A NSW ambulance spokesman said he suffered severe injuries to his right hand and leg and is serious but stable in St Vincents Hospital. Able Seaman Degelder was taking part in the Kondari Trial, a test of new technologies to protect ports and ships from terrorist attack, which began on Monday.A spokesman for the Defence Science and Technology Organisation said it was likely the trial would be cancelled today. A defence spokesman said it was the first recorded attack on a navy clearance diver. He said no shark repellent equipment was used as the equipment was only used in water deemed to be a high risk of shark attack. Sydney Harbour had been assessed as being low risk, he said. There was also no sonar equipment being used.

I defy you not to be inspired by what he’s doing 12 months on and how he has overcome the adversity that he faced (and continues to face). And remember Paul next time you feel like throwing a pity party or skipping your workout. I know I will …