Sawyer was raised by their free-spirited mother in a small, eco-conscious community in Olympia. They learned to love the outdoors from a young age, spending their summers exploring the Olympic National Forest and their winters camping along the coast. After high school, they joined the Peace Corps, spending two years in Ecuador teaching English and learning about sustainable farming practices. Upon returning to the States, they found their calling as a wildland firefighter, drawn to the adrenaline, the sense of purpose, and the camaraderie. They