When most people think of Steve Irwin—the “Crocodile Hunter”—they remember the wild stunts with crocodiles, snakes, or other dangerous animals. On the surface, it seemed the thrill came from near-death encounters with fearsome creatures. But that wasn’t what drew millions of people to him.
The true reason Steve Irwin captured the hearts of so many was twofold: first, his uncontainable passion and enthusiasm for life, and second, his unwavering fight for the lives and dignity of animals across the globe.
I recently watched a video of him being attacked by a cheetah. He narrowly escaped injury, but instead of fear or anger, his immediate response was awe. He spoke about the beauty of the cheetah, the importance of protecting the endangered species, and how natural it was for the mother to be defensive of her cubs. His instinct wasn’t to dwell on the pain or danger—his instinct was to love.
What does it take to become a person like that? Someone who can suffer hurt and still respond with gratitude and reverence? Someone who sees the world not through the lens of fear, but of wonder?
Steve Irwin had a contagious joy, but it wasn’t naïve. Behind the scenes, his life required discipline, vision, planning, and sacrifice. And yet, all of that structure never hardened him—it deepened his joy. He had the ability to take even the sting of injury and translate it into fascination for the animal’s God-given ability to protect itself.
That perspective struck me. I believe God gives us trials for similar reasons. The venom of a snake or the sting of a scorpion may seem cruel, but they are protective mechanisms. Likewise, our personal trials can serve as protection, growth, or redirection. Our weaknesses and hardships—though painful—may save us from greater harm down the road. Darkness teaches us to cherish the light.
Recently, I read The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman. He describes the transformative power of stepping into an “alter ego”—a persona that allows us to bring out the best version of ourselves. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with channeling my own “inner Steve Irwin.”
For me, as an oral surgeon, this means finding renewed joy in every procedure, every patient, every opportunity to relieve pain and restore health. It’s easy in a busy surgical practice to become numb to the privilege of what we do each day. But when I imagine Steve Irwin in the operatory, I hear his voice—full of wonder and passion—as if to say:
“Crikey! What a gift, to be able to help this person heal! What a miracle that our hands and minds can solve problems and bring relief!”
It reframes even the routine moments into something sacred.
Reflection Questions
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Are there ways you’ve grown numb to the beauty of life and work around you?
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How can you rekindle love for the people you serve—whether patients, colleagues, or family?
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Who in your life models this kind of contagious positivity and love?
Action Points
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Read The Alter Ego Effect and consider an alter ego that might help you show up as your best self.
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Watch a clip of Steve Irwin in the wild. Notice his unrestrained joy and passion.
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Each day this week, write down 5 things in your world that are beautiful, inspiring, or worth celebrating.