Troy Brockway’s Journey on Port Protection: Why He Left and What He’s Doing Now

When viewers first met Troy Brockway on Life Below Zero: Port Protection, he stood out—not as a seasoned survivalist, but as someone who had traded a conventional life for something wilder and far more uncertain. He joined the cast in Season 5 (2022) and remained part of the remote Alaskan community through Season 8 (2025). Hailing from Kirkland, Washington, Troy had attended Juanita High School and worked professionally before deciding to challenge himself by living off-grid.

Building a Life in Port Protection

In one memorable moment during Season 5, Episode 7 (“Breaking Ground”), Troy rolled up his sleeves and started installing pilings for what would become his cabin—on his own land, with his own hands. For many viewers, that was when it clicked: this guy was serious. He wasn’t just visiting Port Protection; he was investing in it. Eventually, he completed that cabin near Point Baker and even listed it on Zillow for around $159,000, a move that hinted at future transitions.

Skills & Community Role

Troy wasn’t the show’s best hunter or trapper, but he found his place in other ways. He became known for his diving skills and formed friendships with longtime residents like Sam Carlson. Online fans appreciated his contribution to the community, noting how his youth and willingness to learn were refreshing.

One fan on Reddit wrote:

“He does have skills … like his diving. Given he’s befriended Sam … he’s going to do well.”

Another chimed in:

“He gave what he had to offer, which was well received by the community.”

Life with Sarah

Troy wasn’t alone on his Port Protection journey. His partner, Sarah McDonald, joined him on the show, appearing in several scenes. She wasn’t a regular cast member, but her presence was felt—especially when fellow resident Oliver Johnson helped build a porch to make life a bit easier for her.

Their relationship drew a lot of attention from fans. Some say they were engaged; others say they eventually went their separate ways. Either way, Sarah’s attempt to adapt to life without plumbing or creature comforts was real—and perhaps a bit too much.

Confirmed Departure & Show Conclusion

In April 2024, fellow cast member David Squibb confirmed in a direct message that “Troy left,” following rising speculation on social media. This confirmed what fans had been noticing—Troy’s absence from newer promotional content and community updates.

Multiple fan group discussions and live chats with cast and producers further suggested that Troy and Sarah had left Port Protection for an extended vacation and never returned. Reports of them traveling through Europe and even getting engaged circulated among viewers. His cabin’s listing on Zillow only added to the belief that they had moved on.

Adding to this, Port Protection Alaska has not been renewed beyond Season 8, and the latest season primarily featured previously filmed content. This makes Troy’s departure part of a larger conclusion to the show’s run, rather than a personal exit alone.

Life Before and Beyond the Show

Off-screen, Troy’s life is quite different. He works as a Senior Consultant at Guidant Financial Group in Bellevue, Washington. In a company video filmed back in 2011, Troy talks about helping clients use retirement funds to buy businesses or start franchises—highlighting a long-standing career in financial consulting. The contrast is striking—finance by day, frontier life by season.

While the show never delved into that side of him, it’s clear Troy managed to blend two very different worlds: the structured, strategic world of financial planning and the raw unpredictability of Alaskan survival.