About Dixie

After graduating with a degree in engineering, Jessica “Dixie” Hawkins began her career in the corporate world. Within a couple years, she felt like she was living life backwards by spending her youth waiting for the weekend. She had followed society’s accepted recipe to become “happy and successful,” but didn’t really feel like she was either of those.

Deciding to live life on her own terms, Dixie quit her engineering job to chase her childhood dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail despite the fact she had never been backpacking before. The 6-month and 2,000+ mile journey in the wilderness afforded her time to think and re-prioritize what was important to her. She experienced a freedom she never wanted to lose again.

Dixie began sharing her experiences through YouTube videos and public speaking events, encouraging others to write their own stories instead of letting society’s standards hold the pen.

With more than 10 years of “thinking time” in the woods, Dixie has grown an interest in topics such as self-reliance, longevity, overcoming hardships and more. Wanting to once again share those thoughts and interests with the world, she has decided to expand her platform as she explores these topics in conversations with others through her podcast.