Tonight, Wednesday, December 17, 30-year-old clinical social worker Sage Ahrens-Nichols will enter the finale of “Survivor 49” with a one-in-five shot at becoming the next “Sole Survivor.”
CBSWhile her journey on the season began with displays of her “wacky” personality, from discussions of her collections of blackheads in jars to using flatulence to disguise strategic rendezvous with her allies, Sage has since emerged as a force to be reckoned with, eliminating players like Shannon Fairweather and Sophie Segreti for getting on her bad side.
Coming into the finale without the numbers to guarantee herself a seat at Final Tribal Council, however, will Sage be able to turn things around and walk away from the competition $1 million richer?
For now, only time will tell. Until then, here’s five fast facts you need to know about “Survivor 49” finalist Sage Ahrens-Nichols.
1. Sage Ahrens-Nichols Almost Played ‘Big Brother’ With Cirie Fields
CBSWhile “Survivor 49” marked Sage Ahrens-Nichols’ reality TV debut, some fans will be surprised to learn that the castaway has actually been on CBS’ casting radar for years now.
Prior to landing a spot on Season 49, Sage flew to Fiji as an alternate for Season 47 in 2023. Despite having to wait a full calendar year for her “Survivor” dreams to come true, Ahrens-Nichols said she considered the opportunity to return as a full-fledged contestant an “advantage” over this season’s other competitors.
“I think that for me, I take a while to get settled,” she told Parade in a pre-season interview. “So I think it was a pretty big advantage to get to come out, scope things out, and then come back.”
That being said, Sage originally applied to compete on a different CBS reality competition series altogether – “Big Brother.”
After discovering the series while deployed with the U.S. military in Afghanistan – more on that later! – Sage applied to “Big Brother” year after year until she, finally, made it to the final round of casting auditions for Season 25 in 2023, a season that starred “Survivor” legend Cirie Fields.
Unfortunately, Sage was ultimately cut from consideration in the final round, though the castaway now says she’s happy with how things panned out, telling Parade, “I don’t think that ‘Big Brother’ is where my heart is. No offense to the show.”
2. Sage Ahrens-Nichols is a Military Veteran
CBSWhile Sage Ahrens-Nichols currently works as a clinical social worker in Olympia, Washington, she previously spent a decade serving her country as a member of the U.S. Army.
According to the castaway, she enlisted at 18, straight out of high school, hoping that, by serving, she’d eventually “get the money to pay for college.” Sage added that, growing up in a small town in North Carolina, her parents were not in a financial position to support herself and her twin brother as they continued their education.
In a pre-season interview with Parade, Sage revealed that when she arrived for the first day of her basic training, she discovered that she’d unwittingly signed up for “the only female combat job at the time.”
Shortly thereafter, she was deployed to Afghanistan, though she hasn’t provided any further details regarding her time in service.
3. Sage Ahrens-Nichols Is Not a Big Fan of Social Media
CBSUnlike her fellow finalist, casual fans of “Survivor” won’t find Sage Ahrens-Nichols on social media. While she does have an Instagram account, it is private, and though she does accept follow requests from fans, you won’t find nearly as many updates from the castaway as you might expect.
Prior to the beginning of the season, Sage shared the following message with fans regarding her social media presence: “I’ve genuinely appreciated the support and excitement people have shown me around my participation in Survivor. One of the things I admire most about the people I’m close to is how fiercely they love and protect those they care about.”
“That’s why there’s something important I want to address before the season airs,” she continued. “How we respond to negativity on social media. Social media can be a powerful, inspiring space, but it can also be incredibly toxic. Too often it becomes an outlet for people to project their own insecurities by tearing others down. It’s easier to criticize from a distance than to confront what’s unresolved within ourselves.”
4. Sage Ahrens-Nichols Is in a Relationship
CBSOnce again. When comp[ared to her fellow finalists, information on Sage Ahrens-Nichols’ love life is sparse.
She did, however, reveal in a pre-season interview that she is in a relationship, adding that her unnamed partner is one of her biggest inspirations in life.
“The relationship we have built together is a constant source of inspiration,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “He’s made me feel safe enough to find myself again. It’s the most special gift anyone has ever given me.”
The nature of Sage’s relationship similarly remains a mystery. While she has been wearing a ring on her finger all season long, the finalist has yet to confirm whether or not she is married, engaged, or still in the dating stage of her relationship.
5. Sage Ahrens-Nichols Is a Queer & Neurodivergent Therapist
CBSAfter leaving the military, Sage continued her education, eventually earning her master’s degree from the University of Washington Tacoma School of Social Work and Criminal Justice.
Today, Ahrens-Nichols runs her own therapy clinic called “Therapy with Sage,” where she offers counseling for neurodivergent teens, LGBTQIA+ individuals, military veterans and families.
“I am a queer and neurodivergent therapist that is ready to help you embrace your authentic self,” reads the home page of Sage’s company website. “Together, we will work on breaking up with shame and moving toward a place of self-acceptance and true self-love. You don’t have to carry this burden alone, I’m here to help guide you on this journey.”
Be sure to tune in to the “explosive” three-hour finale of “Survivor 49” on CBS, tonight, Wednesday, December 17, at 8:00pm ET, to see if Sage Ahrens-Nichols can emerge victorious as this season’s “Sole Survivor.”
