For nearly a decade, Maxx Powell ran toward danger. As a professional firefighter and emergency medical technician—and before that, a U.S. Army veteran—he learned how to stay calm under pressure, solve problems quickly, and lead with purpose.

But when he wasn’t in uniform, Powell was chasing a different kind of adrenaline: adventure. Whether flying paramotors, skiing remote backcountry lines, or filming off-road expeditions, he always had a camera in hand. What started as a creative outlet soon exploded into an online phenomenon—earning him millions of views and features on Spike TV, TruTV, G4, and Ridiculousness.

“I didn’t realize it at the time,” Powell says, “but I was learning how to tell stories that connect with people. Firefighting taught me discipline and teamwork—YouTube taught me emotion and attention. Those two worlds eventually collided.”

The Leap from Service to Strategy

By 2015, Powell had started his own videography company, using drones for commercial projects in agriculture and architecture. But his heart was still in the outdoor industry—the world he lived and breathed.

“I saw how much opportunity there was for authentic storytelling in outdoor brands,” he recalls. “These were amazing companies built by passionate people, but most struggled to show that passion online.”

That insight turned into action. After years of collaborating with major brands like BFGoodrich, Honda, Polaris, and Can-Am, Powell noticed the same recurring frustration among smaller companies: marketing agencies didn’t understand outdoor audiences.

A Problem Only an Insider Could Fix

When Powell launched his own outdoor e-commerce brand, he hired outside marketers to handle ads and content. The results were disappointing. “I realized there was a huge disconnect. You can’t market to outdoorsmen if you’ve never been in the dirt, the salt, or the cold yourself,” he says.

So he decided to build the agency he wished existed—one that blended professional-grade marketing systems with genuine lifestyle experience. That was the beginning of Outsiders Media.

The Agency Built on Grit

Powell assembled a small but elite team of marketers, designers, and filmmakers—all handpicked from his professional network. Many were outdoor enthusiasts themselves: off-roaders, anglers, mountaineers, and filmmakers who spent their weekends creating content in the field.

What started as a small operation quickly grew into one of the most trusted agencies in the outdoor recreation space. Today, Outsiders Media manages marketing for dozens of brands, outfitters, and off-road shops nationwide. Its results are measurable: millions in client profit driven through ads, and an expanding network of over 100 outdoor creators contributing authentic content every month.

“Our advantage is simple,” Powell says. “We live the lifestyle. We don’t just market to this audience—we are this audience.”

From Saving Lives to Fueling Dreams

Powell credits much of his entrepreneurial success to lessons learned in the fire service. “When you’ve faced life-and-death decisions, business challenges don’t intimidate you,” he says. “You learn to prioritize, adapt, and lead under pressure. It’s the same mindset—different battlefield.”

That steady leadership now guides Outsiders Media’s rapid growth. What began as a way to help small outdoor brands survive has become a mission to help them thrive. Through a combination of performance marketing, influencer collaboration, and creative storytelling, Powell’s agency has redefined how outdoor companies grow online.

The Mission Ahead

Looking forward, Powell isn’t slowing down. His goal is to scale Outsiders Media into a full-spectrum creative powerhouse while keeping its roots firmly in the adventure community.

“The outdoor industry is built on passion,” he says. “Our job is to make sure that passion reaches the right audience. If we can do that—authentically, consistently, and at scale—then we’re doing more than marketing. We’re fueling the lifestyle that connects us all.”

From firefighter to founder, soldier to storyteller, Maxx Powell’s path is a reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it just takes on a new form.

Media Contact
Company Name: Outsiders Media
Contact Person: Janett Guzmán
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://outsidersmedia.com/