MASON SAWYER Lost His Wife, 2 Kids, Brother & Nephew: He Talks to Susan about Coping with Grief.

 In this deeply moving episode of the Susan Sheehan Success Series, I sit down with Mason Sawyer—husband, father, teacher, coach, and the host of The 10 Ninety Podcast. Mason opens up about the unimaginable tragedy that changed his life forever: the loss of his wife, two children, brother, and nephew in a devastating car accident caused by a sandstorm. With raw honesty and remarkable strength, Mason shares his journey through grief, the moments that brought him to his knees, and the powerful steps he’s taken to keep moving forward—one breath, one day at a time. This episode isn’t just about heartbreak; it’s about healing, resilience, and finding purpose in the pain. Whether you’re navigating your own grief or supporting someone who is, Mason’s story will leave you inspired, reflective, and reminded of the power of love and connection. 

Transcript

INTERVIEW WITH MASON SAWYER
Topic: Grief, Healing, and Resilience
Susan:
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Susan Sheehan Success Series, where you're going to be inspired, informed, and empowered to escape the ordinary. I'm Susan Sheehan, and today we have an incredible human being joining us.

Well, I say "this evening"—it's actually raining here in the afternoon. Mason, what time is it where you are?

Mason:
It's 10:36 PM over here.

Susan:
Wow, so definitely evening for you! Isn’t it amazing how technology allows us to connect across the world, at any time?

Today, I’m speaking with Mason Sawyer about grief. We all experience life-changing events, and learning how to manage our minds and build resilience is truly a gift we give ourselves. I want to give a gentle warning—Mason’s story is heartbreaking. Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up as we talk. You may hear something today that helps you on your own grief journey.

Mason Sawyer, thank you so much for being here.

Mason:
Thank you. I'm really grateful to be here. Any time I get a chance to talk about my family, I'm thankful. So, thank you.

Susan:
You're more than welcome. I first heard Mason speak on stage in Los Angeles late last year, and I knew I needed to have a more personal conversation with him. I think you're incredibly courageous, Mason, not just in sharing your story but in using it to help others navigate grief.

Would you feel comfortable sharing some of your story with us?

Mason:
Yeah, absolutely. I married my high school sweetheart, Courtney. She was beautiful, and we were best friends. We got married and quickly started a family—three kids: Riggins, Blue, and our daughter Frankie. We had this cute little family. It felt like we were living the dream.

Courtney was a nurse, and I was a high school basketball coach and psychology teacher. I loved basketball—it was my thing. After five years of teaching and coaching, I was offered my dream job as a basketball trainer at a facility in Southern Utah called Nets on Fire.

Susan (laughing):
You must be tall then, right?

Mason:
I should be! But no, I’m 5'10"—wrong sport. I just learned how to shoot really well.

Susan:
Love it.

Mason:
So I started that job and loved it. Around the same time, Courtney became a home and hospice nurse, which she also loved.

A month or two after I started my new job, we had a family reunion up north, about four hours away. I couldn’t go because we had our first tournament that weekend, and my family totally understood.

Since I couldn’t make it, my brother Race drove up with his youngest son, Ryder. Race’s wife stayed home with their other two kids.

On the way back that Sunday, Courtney texted me saying they were getting gas and would be home soon. I texted back that I missed her and was excited to see her.

A couple of hours later, I got a phone call.

There had been a 22-car pile-up caused by a sandstorm. I’ll never forget the words I heard:
 "Everyone's dead except one."

I collapsed. Screaming. Crying. It was like an out-of-body experience, but also the most physically real thing I’ve ever felt. I remember feeling sick—throwing up or almost throwing up. At one point, I was on the floor thinking, "What is that horrible sound?"—and then realizing it was me.

And then the phrase: "One survivor." Over and over in my head.

Eventually, I asked, “Who?”—and the voice said, “A three-year-old.”

That was my son, Blue.

I collapsed again, trying to process what that meant. My wife Courtney was gone. Riggins, gone. Frankie, gone. My brother Race, and my nephew Ryder—gone.

Blue was life-flighted to a hospital, and a friend drove me four hours to get to him. We had to drive through the wreckage. When I got there, Blue had a fractured hand and a deep cut on his head, but miraculously, no stitches were needed. We spent a night in the hospital, then went to my parents’ house.

Susan:
Oh Mason... I just want to pause here and say, there are moments in life when words just escape us. And this is one of those moments. Nothing I say can take away what you’ve felt. But I believe your courage—your willingness to share your story—gives hope to others who are suffering silently.

You said you couldn't talk about it for a long time. What helped you find the strength to start sharing your story?

Mason:
At first, I couldn’t even look at photos of them, let alone talk about them. Then one day, I discovered that talking about them—really talking—was actually healing. It gave me my life back.

So I went from saying nothing to starting a podcast. And now I talk about them all the time. I know that might sound strange, but it helps. And along the way, I’ve found people who’ve been helped just by listening.