Brian is not an average teenage boy. Ever since surviving 54 days in the Canadian woods, he has never been the same. His time in the woods matured him, and he has a humble attitude untypical for a teenager. He attributes his success in the woods to luck rather than skill and dislikes the excess of attention and publicity after his return. His relationship with everyday necessities has also changed, and he values things others take for granted, such as food and time. No one fully understands him because they have not experienced survival as he has. His experiences have brought him immense maturity, bravery, and resourcefulness.

Brian is also highly observant, a skill that serves him well in the woods. He constantly learns from his observations. For example, he hears individual sounds in his environment and uses all of his senses to judge the weather, what animals are nearby, and whether danger approaches. He constantly thinks back to books he has read or information he has heard to aid him in survival. For instance, he remembers a story about a girl who could hear while she was in a coma, so he decides to start talking to Derek based on this knowledge.