Some people spend their lives chasing comfort. A steady job, a predictable routine, a familiar town where you know everyone. And then there are people like Donovan de Leon. In 2018, Donovan packed up his Toyota Solara, left his hometown of Chicago, and pointed it towards Missoula, Montana. From Montana to Utah and now Oregon, his years in the West have been spent working with the Montana Conservation Corps, Utah Conservation Corps, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and now as a Wildland Firefighter traveling across the U.S. and Canada. Donovan's story is exactly why Outback Trading Co. was built. For the adventurers, the doers, and the ones that break from the mold.
From Chicago to the West:
Born and raised in Illinois, Donovan grew up far from the rugged backcountry he now calls home, but that seed of adventure was planted early.
"My grandfather lived in Lewiston Idaho, and he was the one who first introduced me to the outdoors. My mom taught me survival skills and showed me how to live off the land. More than anything, she taught me how to value experiences over things."
The real turning point was when Donovan decided to leave it all behind. Packing up his car, and driving west to Missoula, MT where he lived out of his car for a year. Camping on BLM land and embracing a life built around what he's always dreamt of. Mountain range views, and the freedom the live his life on his terms. It wasn't glamorous, but it was honest.
A Career Built from Passion:
Donovan didn't just admire the outdoors; he made it his livelihood. His career in conservation began in 2018 with the Montana Conservation Corps, where he worked on trail rehab projects in rugged backcountry areas. In 2019, he moved on to the Utah Conservation Corps, leading a saw crew through remote burn areas, clearing trails, and restoring access to wilderness areas swallowed by wildfire.
In 2021, he took a role with the U.A. Forest Service in the Manti-La Sal National Forest around Moab, Utah. His days were spent patrolling the ridgelines, replacing signage, mapping trail systems and at the end of the day sleeping in his rig - a lifted Toyota Sequoia outfitted with a bed, solar, shower, sink and stove.
"My time with the Forest Service was great. I didn't pay rent, and I'd sleep out my rig. There's certain peace you find when you wake up in a place without cell service, miles from the nearest town."
From 2022 to 2024, Donovan worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Roseburg, Oregon, where his job took him to the water as much as the woods. He specialized in whitewater kayaking patrols, cutting out strainers from rivers, leading youth corps trail projects, assisting law enforcement, hazard tree assessments, and patrolling public lands and waterways by truck, watercraft, or UTV. During this time, he also earned a Swiftwater Rescue certification.
Now, Donovan has taken on a new adventure, serving as a Wildland Firefighter traveling across the U.S. and Canada. Stepping onto the fire line to defend the landscapes he's spent years working in.
Adventure Beyond Borders:
Donovan's commitment to adventure doesn't stop with his career. One of his most memorable journeys took him to New Zealand, where he tackled the Kepler Track. This 32-mile backcountry trek through the Fiordland wilderness pushed him to his limits.
"It was one of the most mentally draining things I've ever done," he admitted. "There were moments when I thought about turning back, but you learn something out there. You realize how much of what holds you back is in your head."
When asked what keeps him motivated, Donovan points to his own journey. It's about choosing the harder road, stepping out of your comfort zone, and seeing what you're made of. He believes in chasing memories, not possessions, and credits his mother for instilling that mindset early on.
"I've never been one for the easy road," he says. "I like to know what I'm made of."
His advice for others hoping to live a similar life is simple, but powerful. Don't limit yourself. Budget travel is possible, public lands are there for everyone, and the only real obstacle is your own mental barrier you build for yourself. Once you break through, that is where your adventure begins.
Outback is Proud to Have Donovan as a Brand Ambassador:
Donovan first discovered Outback Trading Co. in 2022 and immediately connected with the brand's vision. When asked what his favorite piece of gear he has in his closet, he answered The Swagman Jacket, especially during long days on the job as a ranger.
There’s one story that stands out: during a photo shoot for Outback Trading Co., a sudden downpour hit. Without hesitation, Donovan pulled out his Harlan Rain Jacket and threw it over his camera gear, keeping his equipment dry while he finished the shoot soaked.
Donovan's story is exactly why Outback Trading Co. exists. To celebrate the people who go against the mold, outperform the odds, and believe that the best stories are the ones you earn. As Donovan says, "The best thing you can collection in life are stories." and we're proud to be a part of his.