HOW I SURVIVED A SHARK ATTACK - AND WHY I GOT BACK IN THE WATER

PAUL DE GELDER CAME JUST SECONDS AWAY FROM DEATH. NOW THE MILITARY VETERAN OPENS UP ABOUT RECOVERY AND ADVOCATING FOR THE ANIMALS THAT 'TRIED TO EAT ME FOR BREAKFAST'

- ABIGAIL ADAMS

Paul de Gelder wasn't just comfortable in open water-he thrived as a diver with the Australian Navy until February 2009, when he was attacked by a shark in the Sydney Harbor and found himself in a fight for his life. "I was a rag doll in a monster's mouth," he says. A string of good luck saved him, even though he lost a hand and a leg. Sharing his story with People, the 47-year-old, now a motivational speaker and environmentalist featured on Shark Week (streaming now on Max), recalls the nightmare, how he healed and what it taught him.

It started out as a pretty boring day. I was doing a counterterrorism training exercise with my mates when I felt this big whack on the back of my leg, but I didn't really think too much of it. Then I turned and saw this massive shark staring back at me. To be honest, it was my greatest fear.

The shark grabbed me by my right hand and the back of my right leg in the same bite and dragged me underwater. I tried to fight it off, but it had my hand. Meanwhile, my left hand couldn't reach the and when I tried to punch it in the shark's eye, nose, it started shaking me.