Meet Sanni McCandless, a certified professional life and transition coach, outdoor event planner, and co-founder of ‘Outwild.’ Based in Washington, DC, Sanni’s passion for outdoor living led her to leave her previous job at a software company and pursue a career in life coaching. With her expertise, she brings people together, helps them conquer their fears, and guides them towards a fulfilling and fearless life. Sanni’s unwavering support for her partner, renowned rock climber Alex Honnold, is a testament to her unwavering commitment and belief in their relationship.
Quick Facts
- Boyfriend: Alex Honnold
- Also Known As: Sanni, Cassandra McCandless
- Age: 31 Years, 31 Year Old Females
- Family: father: Jay McCandless, mother: Leslie Marijke McCandlesssiblings: Helena, Laila
- Business Women
- American Women
- Height: 5’6″ (168 cm), 5’6″ Females
- U.S. State: Washington
Childhood & Early Life
Sanni, originally named Cassandra McCandless, was born on June 30, 1992, in Washington, DC. Her parents, Leslie Marijke McCandless and Jay McCandless, both attended the University of California, Los Angeles. Her mother works as a corporate communications specialist, while her father is an electromagnetic engineer. Sanni’s parents own a company called Suncastle Microwave LLC, which is based in California. She spent most of her childhood in Washington State and North Carolina. Sanni acquired her nickname from a childhood friend who found her name difficult to pronounce. She graduated from East Chapel Hill High School in 2010 and went on to attend the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill. In 2014, she graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in Spanish. During her time at UNC, Sanni joined the all-female a cappella group called Cadence and held positions as the social chair and business manager. In 2017, she obtained her personal life coach certification from iPEC coaching.
Career
While studying at UNC, Sanni worked as a waitress at Carmine’s Ristorante and Pizzeria. She also interned at the Back Country Land Trust, where she organized a fundraising event for a non-profit organization in California. In 2013, Sanni joined the Durham Arts Council, one of the oldest arts councils in the US, as an intern through the UNC APPLES Program. She marketed several events for the council and was later hired to plan the CenterFest Arts Festival. Sanni also served as the Spanish student leader at UNC, teaching elementary-level Spanish. Additionally, she worked as a nanny for the Duarte family. In 2014, Sanni spent a few months in Cordoba, Spain, working as a hospitality assistant at WorkAway. She then worked briefly at Koru@Porch before joining EnergySavvy as an events and marketing coordinator. After some time, Sanni decided to pursue an outdoorsy lifestyle and became a certified life coach. She started her own coaching center and eventually co-founded Outwild, a resource hub for group events promoting outdoor and value-driven lifestyles. Outwild organizes an annual festival in an outdoor location, hosting motivating events and activities. Sanni is also active on various social media platforms and maintains a blog.
Family & Personal Life
Sanni is currently in a relationship with Alex Honnold, a renowned rock climber known for his solo ascents of big walls without any safety gear. They first met in 2015 at the launch of Alex’s book, Alone on the Wall. Sanni was attracted to Alex’s simplicity and gave him her number before leaving. They went on a date in Seattle a few weeks later, followed by a rock-climbing trip to Switzerland. Sanni eventually moved in with Alex in his van, and when they are not on the road, they reside in his house in Las Vegas. During their early stages of dating, Alex was planning a major free solo ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, a 3,000-foot rock wall. Sanni supported him throughout the planning process. Around the same time, Sanni was featured in the documentary Free Solo, which primarily focuses on Alex and his passion for climbing. The film also showcases their relationship.