It takes a village…The team behind the lens
Alexey Vermeulen
Age: 30
Residence: Boulder, CO
Occupation: Professional Cyclist and Co-Founder of FTGU
Professional Dog Dad to Sir Willie the Wiener and occasional bike rider. Alexey grew up in Michigan playing ice hockey and running xc before falling in love with riding bikes. In 2020, he moved to Colorado and Co-Founded FTGU in an attempt to lower the barrier of entry and make the sport more accessible.
Fun Fact: Willie isn’t actually Alexey’s dog…
Avery Stumm
Age: 30
Residence: Boulder, CO
Title: Executive Producer/Videographer FTGU
Growing up in Michigan, Avery was always creative and found himself shooting and playing around BMX bikes before catching the bug himself. Avery was integral in getting FTGU off the ground in Season 1 and can be easily confused with Alexey when carrying Willie.
Fun Fact: Avery has finished Leadville 100 MTB in less than 9 hours
Dylan Hyman
Age: 32
Residence: Litchfield County, CT
Occupation: Co-Founder Hour Theory Studios | Director & Producer FTGU
Dyaln grew up in California and moved east for college. He started working with cameras as a photographer, but moved on to video in 2014. You’ll find him riding bikes or filming out in the woods somewhere!
*Dylan Edited S3 of FTGU with Jackson
Fun Fact: I have the urge to operate every piece of heavy machinery I see, and yes, I was that kid in the sandbox digging holes
Jackson Buscher
Age: 31
Residence: New Mexico
Occupation: Co-Founder Hour Theory Studios | Producer FTGU
Jackson grew up exploring in his home state of New Mexico. He cut his teeth (and famously lost one) pursuing and capturing high-stakes outdoor sports. When Jackson’s not behind the camera, you’ll likely find him playing in the outdoors—though with a bit more focus on keeping the rest of his teeth in place. He is passionate about telling stories that move people.
Fun Fact: : Jackson edited S3 of FTGU with Dylan
David Chapdelaine
Age: 29
Residence: Berkley, Michigan
Occupation: Composer and Editor of FTGU
David’s been editing, mixing and scoring films ever since falling in love with storytelling at a very young age, and is still teaming up with the same friend he started a YouTube channel with at 12, Avery Stumm. He once toured the country, playing guitar in a pop-punk band (Yes, even Warped Tour), and now spends his off-time either perfecting his homemade pizza recipes, or building his new music studio out.
Bike: David is still perfecting his pizza recipe
Robert Barranco
Age: 30
Residence: Davie, Florida
Occupation: Photographer
Originally from Florida, Rob moved out to Colorado several years back. He comes from a world of film cameras and BMX bikes, but has been shooting all the photos you’ve seen since season 2.
Fun Fact: Rob, also known as Bert has travelled to more countries than you have
Ian McGrew
Age:
Residence: New York
Occupation: Videographer
Justus Stewart
Age: 31
Residence: Greeneville, Tennessee
Occupation: Videographer - Not Just Media
Justus is a filmmaker with years of experience in live-event production/tv broadcast. His claim to fame is going to high school with Avery Stumm. Off set, he’s a proud husband and dad, working to be better everyday.
Fun Fact: : Now after filming with From the Ground Up, it’s only a matter of time before he gets his first bike!
Logan Bonwell
Age: 31
Residence:
Occupation: Videographer