From Shanghai Rice Fields to the World’s Wilderness

An Everyday Hero Who Teaches Survival Through Respect

Interview Notes

This interview did not take place in a studio or conference room.Instead, we met deep in the mountains outside Hangzhou, China. It is a place Zhu Weiqiang has returned to countless times—and in many ways, where his dream of nature began to take root.

Early spring in Jiangnan carries a quiet vitality. Tea hills are turning green, and streams run clear through bamboo forests. We followed Zhu along a narrow trail until we reached a small mountain spring. He gently picked a few tender tea leaves, rinsed them in the cold water, and handed them to us with a smile.

“Try this,” he said.
“This is the sweetest taste of spring.”

And just like that, a conversation about survival, purpose, and the meaning of life unfolded naturally in the landscape he loves most.

At Luminox, we believe heroes are not born. They are ordinary people who choose conviction in everyday life and responsibility in moments of challenge. We call them Everyday Heroes.

Today, we are honored to introduce Luminox’s first Everyday Hero from China — Zhu Weiqiang.

Luminox: Weiqiang, welcome. Would you like to greet our global community? We hear you’re in a particularly good mood today.

Zhu Weiqiang: (He laughs, scooping up a handful of spring water.)

Of course I am. Look at this water—clear and sweet, just like the well water I drank as a child in Pudong. Hello everyone. I’m Zhu Weiqiang. I was born in 1987 in Zhuqiao, Pudong, Shanghai.Being here today—somewhere I know so well, speaking with people who understand me—makes me feel completely at ease.

Luminox: You grew up in Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities, yet you’ve spent years exploring some of the planet’s most remote wilderness. How did these two worlds shape you?

Zhu Weiqiang: Many people assume my passion for the wild began with my expeditions. In reality, the seed was planted much earlier—in childhood. Back then, Pudong wasn’t a forest of skyscrapers. It was farmland. As a child, I loved crouching beside rice paddies, watching plants I couldn’t name, studying how insects moved, observing how leaves unfolded. That simple curiosity about life in nature stayed with me.Shanghai is my root. It gave me discipline, efficiency, and a sense of order.The wilderness became my wings. It taught me humility and adaptability.They may seem like opposites, but they complement each other. In the city you plan routes; in the wild you assess risks. In the end, both are forms of survival.

Luminox: Many people call you “China’s Bear Grylls,” yet you often describe yourself as an educator. Why is that important to you?

Zhu Weiqiang: An explorer’s glory belongs to the individual. An educator’s value belongs to society. A successful expedition might only change my life. But sharing knowledge might one day save someone else’s. My philosophy has always been simple: explore, but never recklessly. Professionalism isn’t about conquering untouched lands. It’s about approaching nature with respect, preparing thoroughly, and passing that sense of responsibility on to others. That’s why the title outdoor educator means far more to me.

Luminox: Your life changed during your time studying in the UK. What sparked that transformation?

Zhu Weiqiang: I participated in a commando-style training program run by the Royal Marines. It was the first time my childhood curiosity about nature merged with systematic survival training. In the cold, the hunger, and the exhaustion, something unexpected happened—I felt an extraordinary sense of life. Under extreme conditions, discipline, teamwork, and determination become the only way forward. That experience fascinated me. If my childhood in Shanghai’s countryside gave me the curiosity to ask why, Britain taught me how to return safely from the wild.

Luminox: You chose a life far from conventional career paths. What does that freedom mean to you?

Zhu Weiqiang: It isn’t an escape from reality. It’s an exploration of the real self.

If I had missed these experiences, I would have missed conversations with my deepest fears, the awe of witnessing Earth’s rawest landscapes, and the opportunity to discover the limits of human potential.Out there, in the wilderness, I found a more complete version of myself.

Luminox: After facing so many dangers, do you still feel fear?

Zhu Weiqiang: Of course. Fear is one of humanity’s most basic signals. To me, fear isn’t an enemy to defeat—it’s a message to listen to. It tells me, “Pay attention. Something may be wrong.” When fear appears, I stop. I reassess the risks, check my equipment, and adjust my plan. True courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to make rational decisions despite it.

Luminox: What lies at the core of your survival philosophy?

Zhu Weiqiang: Outdoor survival is not an offensive skill, but a defensive one. It is not a weapon for challenging nature.It is a safeguard for when things go wrong. A true outdoorsman does not try to conquer nature. He prepares carefully—and then simply enjoys it. If you begin a journey thinking, “I will defeat this mountain,” you have already lost.But if you enter the mountains as a guest, with humility and respect, the wilderness reveals its true beauty.

Luminox: In extreme environments, what roles do time and equipment play?

Zhu Weiqiang: In the wilderness, time is a survival resource. You must find shelter before sunset. You must reach water before exhaustion. Reliable equipment becomes a silent guardian. It buys you time and protects your safety. A watch, for example, is more than a timekeeping tool. It helps you navigate, plan your route, and coordinate actions in emergencies. Yes, I can estimate time by observing the sun and the stars. But in extreme environments, dependable modern tools allow you to focus on what matters most—clear thinking and sound decisions.

Luminox: You successfully completed Sky TV’s Bear Grylls Survival Challenge. What helped you persevere?

Zhu Weiqiang: Willpower—and a strong sense of collective honor. At the time I was the only Asian participant. I carried a single thought with me: I cannot disappoint the people who believe in me. That sense of honor gradually became a deeper responsibility. I realized that every challenge I face might inspire someone else to step beyond their comfort zone. The hardest part of that training wasn’t physical—it was psychological. Hunger, cold, and sleep deprivation create a persistent sense of despair. In those moments, your team becomes your strength. Sometimes all it takes is a look from a teammate to remind you why you keep going.

Luminox: You are now Luminox’s first Everyday Hero in China. What does that title mean to you?

Zhu Weiqiang: I truly resonate with Luminox’s definition of a hero. A hero doesn’t have to accomplish something dramatic. To me, everyday heroes are people who quietly fulfill their responsibilities—rescue workers on standby, teachers in classrooms, parents supporting their families. They persist day after day. And when the moment arrives, their dedication shines. If you search my name online, you’ll see many impressive titles. But those are just labels. What truly fulfills me is receiving a message like this: “Teacher Zhu, I watched your video. Today I successfully found my direction in the wilderness—and returned safely.” In that moment, I feel like an Everyday Hero. An Everyday Hero is simply someone who persists daily and is reliable when it matters most.

Luminox: We understand you purchased your first Luminox watch nearly ten years ago, long before this partnership.

Zhu Weiqiang: That’s true. While studying in the UK, before a polar expedition, a veteran teammate recommended Luminox to me. He said, “In the darkness of the polar night, you need a watch you can read instantly.” That watch has traveled with me to the Arctic and across deserts. I still keep it carefully today. So when this collaboration came along, it didn’t feel like the beginning of a commercial partnership. It felt more like reconnecting with an old companion. I’ve believed in Luminox’s philosophy—that tools can become trusted partners—for more than a decade.

Luminox: You’ve been sharing outdoor safety knowledge through videos. Will you continue doing that?

Zhu Weiqiang: Absolutely. It’s a responsibility. My ultimate goal isn’t just to reduce accident statistics. I hope to reshape how people relate to nature. Nature shouldn’t be seen as an enemy to conquer, nor simply as a danger to fear. It’s a partner—one we must approach with knowledge and respect. If I could leave people with only one idea, it would be this: Respect nature. Prepare well. Those eight words alone could prevent most tragedies. I record everything—a poisonous mushroom, a fragile rock face, a dangerous trail. I share these details with friends and even strangers. Because in the wilderness, knowledge is light. And light shows the way home.

Luminox: Which qualities of Luminox watches resonate most with your philosophy?

Zhu Weiqiang: Reliability comes first. The watch is easy to read, and its self-powered illumination works instantly in darkness or harsh environments. It’s like a companion that never sleeps—a silent guardian. In moments when every bit of attention must be devoted to survival decisions, having such a trusted partner beside me brings tremendous peace of mind.

Luminox: Finally, what would you say to those who have dreams but are afraid to begin?

Zhu Weiqiang: (He gestures toward the spring behind him.)

Look at that water. It flows down the mountain without worrying about how many rocks may block its path. It simply begins to move—and eventually arrives here. Everything starts with the first step. If I had been afraid of dirty clothes as a child and never crouched down to study that wild plant, none of this would have happened. And if you’ve already begun but feel stuck, remember your original purpose. Adjust your pace. Find your team. Failure is never the end. It’s part of learning. Every fall reveals something new about who you are—and brings you closer to your destination. Believe this: you are stronger than you think.