You’ve seen him hauling wood, fixing up cabins, and generally surviving the kind of weather that makes most people want to hibernate for a decade. Tim "Curly" Leach was a staple of the Alaskan wilderness on Life Below Zero: Port Protection. He was the guy with the chainsaw and the no-nonsense attitude. But lately, fans have been scratching their heads. The scenery changed. The rugged coastline of Prince of Wales Island isn't in the background anymore.
Basically, if you're wondering where does Curly Leach live now, the answer is a bit of a bittersweet transition. He isn't battling the tides in the same way. He moved.
Leaving the Edge of the Map
For years, Curly was part of that tiny, tough-as-nails community in Port Protection. It’s a place where you don’t just "live"—you endure. There are no roads. No grocery stores. If you want a steak, you better hope you’re good with a fishing rod or a rifle. But in Season 7, Episode 10, titled "Don’t Look Back," viewers watched a pretty emotional turning point. Curly Leach decided to leave Port Protection.
He didn't just go for a vacation. He packed it in. He spent some final moments with a close friend and headed back to what people in the bush call "the grid."
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Honestly, it makes sense when you look at the physical toll that life takes. Port Protection is a young man's game, or at least a game for those whose joints haven't been punished by decades of Alaskan winters. Curly moved back to a more conventional lifestyle where things like electricity and paved roads aren't luxuries. While he hasn't broadcasted his exact street address (and why would he?), he has transitioned away from the isolated boardwalks of the North Pacific and back into a more accessible part of the world to be closer to family.
The Transformation Nobody Saw Coming
While the move was a huge shift, the thing that really has people talking is what Curly did with his health. When you live off-grid, you’d think you’re in peak shape, but the Alaskan diet can be heavy. Think lots of salt, lots of fat, and lots of "storing up" for the winter. Curly realized he was slowing down. He was pushing 300 pounds and getting winded doing tasks that used to be second nature.
He didn't go on some fancy Hollywood diet. Kinda the opposite. He just changed his rhythm.
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- He cut the grease: Less frying, more baking.
- Portion control: He stopped eating like every meal was his last.
- Active survival: He treated his daily chores—chopping wood, hauling gear—like a gym workout.
By the time he was ready to transition away from Port Protection, he had dropped somewhere between 70 and 80 pounds. It wasn't about looking good for the cameras; it was about being able to breathe. He wanted longevity. He wanted to be a role model for his family and his community. You can see the difference in his face and his movement in recent updates—he’s literally a smaller, faster version of the man we first met.
Life Back on the Grid
Transitioning from a place where you barter for supplies to a place where you have a mailbox is a culture shock. Curly has been focusing on his well-being and staying connected with his family. He’s also stayed active in the "public" eye in his own quiet way, advocating for health and showing that even if you've lived a rough life, you can always pivot.
A lot of people think that once these reality stars leave the show, they just disappear. But for Curly, leaving Alaska's harshest corners was a strategic move for his "third act." He’s still the same guy—handy with tools, fiercely independent—just with a little more convenience and a lot less ice to shovel.
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He has been seen participating in community events and even popping up in discussions about traditional lifestyles. He remains a beloved figure because he was "real" in a genre that often feels scripted. There were no fake dramas with Curly; just a man and his environment.
What’s Next for Tim Leach?
If you're looking for him to return to Life Below Zero, don't hold your breath. He made his choice. He left for an easier life because he earned it. He proved he could survive the hardest conditions on Earth, and now he’s proving he can master a healthy, modern lifestyle.
If you’re inspired by his journey, here are the actual takeaways you can use:
- Environment isn't an excuse: If Curly can lose 70 pounds in the Alaskan bush without a gym membership, you can find a way to move more in your neighborhood.
- Listen to the "Winded" signal: He changed because he felt heavy and sluggish. Don't wait for a doctor's warning; listen to how your body handles a flight of stairs.
- Know when to pivot: There’s no shame in leaving a "tough" lifestyle when your body or your family needs you elsewhere. Moving back to the grid wasn't a defeat; it was a new chapter.
Curly Leach lives a life of more balance now. He’s traded the extreme isolation of Port Protection for the stability of the grid, proving that even the most rugged mountain man knows when it’s time to come home.