Elisa Escalante grew up in Texas and California throughout most of her childhood. Twelve days after her high school graduation in June of 2008, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and was selected to be a mental health technician. Elisa served six years active duty on Dyess Air Force base working in the mental health clinic at the medical group, serving Air Force troops and their dependents with mental health needs. In 2012, she deployed to Afghanistan to work at the combat stress clinic and support deployed soldiers on a forward operating base. After her active duty career ended in 2014, Elisa moved to New York City after being accepted to NYU Silver School of Social Work. During her studies, she also served in the Air Force reserves at Westover Air Reserve Base Massachusetts. Elisa became a licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) in July 2017. Also, in September of 2017, Elisa began her first civilian career working for the Brooklyn vet center providing counseling services to combat veterans and veterans who suffered from military sexual trauma. Elisa then completed her LCSW in February of 2021 and moved back to California shortly after. She now works as a behavioral health consultant for primary care for the DoD.