Meet the Team
ALEXANDER J. BALCELLS
PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER
Born and raised under Florida's endless summer skies, I'm a South Floridian whose soul was shaped by the sawgrass prairies and cypress domes of the Everglades. These wild spaces aren't just my backyard—they're my classroom, my inspiration, and my endless source of wonder.
My journey began with a simple YouTube channel, where my passion for "touching grass" evolved into a mission to reconnect with the old soul of exploration that animated figures like Teddy Roosevelt. As an avid nature photographer and filmmaker, I strive to capture and share the raw beauty of our wild places, from gator-filled waters to mountain summits, one frame at a time.
When I'm not tracking wildlife through the River of Grass or documenting Florida's remarkable creatures, you'll find me seeking adrenaline and adventure: carving fresh powder while snowboarding, navigating challenging trails in my off-road vehicle, or riding the rhythms of white water rapids.
My mission remains constant through it all—to celebrate and preserve the natural wonders that surround us, inspiring others to step outside and discover their own connection to the wild.
GARRETT BECK
VICE PRESIDENT
Maryland-born and wilderness-bound, Garrett Beck brings the passionate eye of a photographer and the steady determination of a seasoned hiker to everything he touches. As Vice President of Xplorist, he channels his lifelong love affair with the outdoors into creating meaningful connections between people and wild places.
His camera has become an extension of himself—capturing not just images but emotions, stories, and moments that most people walk right past. From the mist-covered Appalachian trails of his home state to the sweeping sawgrass prairies of the Everglades, Garrett finds poetry in landscapes that others merely visit.
It was during the challenging wet season in the River of Grass where fate intervened—two photographers, strangers then, wading through the same waters with the same gleam of adventure in their eyes. Since that chance meeting, we've become inseparable adventure buddies, pushing each other to explore further, climb higher, and dive deeper into America's wild treasures.
Whether he's leading an Xplorist expedition, framing the perfect sunrise shot, or paddling out of Florida Bay to venture through the scattered jewels of the Keys, Garrett embodies the spirit of exploration that makes the outdoors not just a place to visit, but a place to belong.