Allen grew up in Indianapolis, IN spending much of his teenage years camping in forests of rural Indiana with the Boy Scouts. Wanting to explore concepts of sustainability and outdoor education, he attended Sterling College in Vermont. This led him to work on farms in New England and the Pacific Northwest. While he was in Vermont, Allen completed the Long Trail in 2020.

Allen spent a semester with the National Outdoor Leadership School located in Baja, California and become aquatinted with the desert. Staying connected with NOLS, he has worked multiple summer seasons in Alaska helping manage the equipment room and on the farm at the branch.

Living outside has helped Allen cultivate a passion for mindfulness. He spends much of his time listening to podcasts about empathy and compassionate living while traveling. Wilderness has helped him create a space for emotional growth, and he wants to share that passion with others.