06/19/2026
We don’t always get to decide where we start.
But we do get a say in where we’re going.
That’s something I believe in pretty deeply, especially while chasing my own dreams and trying to build something real in this community.
And that’s why meeting Dean hit a little different.
There are people you meet in this community who don’t have to explain what they’re chasing. You can see it in how they move, how they talk about the future, and the work they’re willing to put in when nobody is watching.
Dean is one of those people.
He runs DCBL Media and is traveling the country building his own media company one mile, one trail, and one shot at a time.
He’s already built an impressive resume shooting events like Texas Raptor Runs, and even had the opportunity to shoot the legendary Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
But what stood out to me most wasn’t just the talent.
It was the heart behind it.
The willingness to bet on yourself, chase the story, and turn the thing you love into something real.
That’s the kind of person this community is built on.
A great dude, an insanely talented creator, and someone I’m genuinely excited to see keep winning.
Drop him a fist bump in the comments, or go follow his journey. 👊🤘
Dean Bates
