Mike Bárcena and Alex Garrido

Mike’s Mission: “To inspire exploration, promote conservation, and share powerful stories that connect people with nature and its incredible wildlife.” 

Alex’s Mission: “To show the fragility and beauty of our oceans and our planet.” 

Mike Bárcena and Alejandro Garrido Verdugo, lifelong friends from Mexico City, have spent over 20 years cultivating a shared passion for exploring and documenting the beauty of the natural world. Together, they co-founded Alpha Expeditions, a platform that inspires millions through breathtaking photography, videography, and storytelling.

Mike Bárcena is a 25-year-old explorer, photographer, and content creator from Mexico. As the co-founder of Alpha Expeditions, he has dedicated his life to inspiring others to explore and protect nature while sharing incredible stories from some of the world’s most remote places. Mike has traveled extensively, diving beneath the waves, hiking through wildernesses, and documenting wildlife to connect people with the natural world. With a passion for photography and filmmaking, he is driven to showcase the beauty and importance of conservation through his work.

Alejandro Garrido Verdugo is a 25-year-old underwater photographer, videographer, and adventurer from Mexico City. Alejandro has always been passionate about showcasing the natural world through the lens of his camera. His journeys have taken him to some of the most remote and iconic dive locations, including Tiger Beach, Bimini, the Galapagos Islands, Socorro, and Malpelo. As a Divemaster and Technical Diver (Tec 50), Alejandro has dedicated himself to creating impactful content that connects people to the ocean and inspires conservation. He co-founded Alpha Expeditions with his best friend, Mike Bárcena, where they have reached millions of people worldwide with their breathtaking storytelling. Whether diving beneath the waves or capturing wildlife on land, Alejandro’s mission is to highlight the fragility and beauty of the planet.

• Mike: Co-founder of Alpha Expeditions, inspiring millions through exploration and storytelling.
• Mike: Built a global online community of 2M+ followers and over 200M views.
• Mike: Experienced advanced diver and outdoor adventurer with expertise in photography and filmmaking.
• Mike: Collaborated with top brands to promote exploration, conservation, and outdoor lifestyles.
• Alex: Divemaster
• Alex: Technical Diver (Tec 50)
• Alex: Open Water Freediver
• Alex: Underwater photographer and videographer
• Alex: Co-founder of Alpha Expeditions (+2.5M followers and 700M+ views on social media)
• Alex: Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management
• Alex: Filmmaking Diploma from New York Film Academy, Australia