Jake was born and raised near his family’s farm outside the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. His siblings and parents fostered a sense of adventure and an appreciation of the outdoors, leading to several summers working at residential camp and extended backpacking trips across the country. Jake earned a degree in outdoor education and recreation from the University of Minnesota – Duluth on the north shore of Lake Superior and gateway to the northwoods of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He also discovered the sport of ultimate frisbee and would spend two decades playing, coaching, and organizing the sport. Jake has always worked in experiential youth programs, from nature centers to team building and leadership development field trip destinations. He was the first executive director of Minnesota Ultimate, a youth sports-focused non-profit governing the sport in Minnesota. In 2019, Jake sold his urban St. Paul home and has been living and working remotely from his off-grid converted campervan; largely in the mountain west. He is taking the next step in his pursuit of simple living and access to wild and natural places, joining the team at Willow-Witt Ranch with his constant companion and adventure buddy, Cedar.