Brock Stevens is a Navy Diver, underwater photographer, product designer, and Land Rover enthusiast based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He’s had plenty of adventures overland and underwater, and we wanted to take some time to highlight his adventures, his rigs, and why he loves to call the Blue Ridge Mountains home. You can find him at Overland Expo East with at least one of his Rovers, maybe more, and you can follow along on his adventures and projects on Instagram @deepseaedc
OE: Thanks for chatting with us Brock! We broke down some of your history and projects in the intro, but can you tell us a bit more about yourself? Where you grew up, and how you got started in what anyone would call a rather adventurous life?
Brock: First off, thanks for having me. I grew up in Alexandria, VA, right outside of Washington, D.C., and I have always had a fascination for the outdoors, history, and figuring out how things work. That eventually led me into military service, where I became a Navy diver. Spending years working underwater taught me a lot about problem-solving, self-reliance, and staying calm in challenging environments. Those experiences really shaped the way I approach life today.
After the Navy, I found myself drawn toward exploration in a different way. Whether it’s traveling by Land Rover, documenting all of it through photography, or developing products for the watch industry, there’s a common thread. I’m always looking for the next adventure and an opportunity to learn something new. I’ve never been great at sitting still, and fortunately a lot of my hobbies have turned into projects and careers along the way.
OE: For sure, you’re a man on the move. Okay, we can’t bury the lead here. Before we dive in, pun fully intended, you have some awesome vehicles in your garage. Can you give us a breakdown of your Rovers and your plans for those?
Brock: I’ve always appreciated vehicles that have a story to tell, and Land Rovers definitely fit that description. Right now my Land Rover collection includes a 1984 Land Rover 110 V8 and a 1971 Land Rover Santana Series 2A.
My primary expedition vehicle is my 110, which is quickly evolving into the truck I trust for long-distance travel and overlanding. It’s built to be used, not just admired, and that V8 is very reliable. I am currently in the process of adding a roof rack, light setup, and winch. After that, it will be pretty much complete. Maybe a set of white Wolf steelies.
My Series is also an incredibly capable adventure rig in its own right (albeit slow), and I enjoy keeping older Rovers on the road because every one of them has its own personality. Half the fun is maintaining and improving them between trips.
None of them are really “finished.” They’re always evolving based on where I plan to travel next or whatever lesson the last trip taught me.
READ MORE: Get Inspired and Educated by World Class Instructors at Overland Expo Mountain West
OE: Speaking of Land Rovers, you were selected for the Defender Trophy qualifiers a couple of months ago. What was that experience like?
Brock: It was an incredible experience. Just being selected to participate alongside so many talented people was an honor. The qualifiers pushed every aspect of what makes overlanding enjoyable. Navigation, recovery, teamwork, technical driving, and problem-solving under pressure, just to name a few. I was really impressed with how much freedom JLR gave the participants when it came to driving the Defenders and just how much of a beatdown that first day of physical events was. Reminded me of a selection from my Navy Diver training pipeline. I loved every second.
One of the highlights was earning the Live Courageously Award from the outdoor adventure brand Shackleton and Defender, which was only given to one participant from each of the three groups. The award was given to those whose outstanding performance, determination, and skill align with the spirit of the Defender Trophy, and it was a true honor to receive it.
More than anything, I walked away with a tremendous amount of respect for everyone involved. It was a fantastic community to be part of.
OE: It looks like an amazing experience. As much as you love overlanding, you’ve spent alot of time underwater. Outside of your time diving for the Navy, you also use that skill set for some other projects, right?
Brock: Diving has never really stopped being a part of my life. Today I spend a lot of time doing underwater photography, generally for dive watch-related shoots and documenting WWII plane crash sites for Project Recover. It was a true honor to become a Team Member with Project Recover a few years ago.
Project Recover is an organization that combines history, archaeology, and advanced technology to locate and help identify missing American service members from World War II and other conflicts. It’s meaningful work because it gives families answers that, in some cases, they’ve waited generations to receive. Being able to contribute my diving experience to something with that kind of purpose is incredibly rewarding.
Photography has become another way to tell those stories. Whether it’s documenting an expedition or creating imagery underwater, I enjoy sharing places and moments that most people would never otherwise experience.
OE: Wow, that’s awesome. Project Recover is a great organization, and your shots are really cool. Obviously, a lot of those photography projects revolve around the watch world where you’re also involved. Can you tell us a little bit about that and your product development work?
Brock: The watch industry has been another unexpected adventure. What started as an appreciation for well-built tool watches eventually grew into opportunities to work on product development, testing, photography, and storytelling for several brands. Namely, Jacques Bianchi Marsielle, MKII/Tornek-Rayville, Marathon Watch Company, and Watches of Espionage. I was able to design my own watch with Jacques Bianchi, which was released last year and, to my surprise, sold out within 24 hours.
I really enjoy helping bring products from an idea into something people can actually use in the field. My background in military diving gives me a practical perspective on what works and what doesn’t, so I try to approach every project from the standpoint of real-world performance instead of just specifications on paper.
Photography has become a big part of that as well. Whether I’m shooting watches underwater, in the mountains, or while traveling internationally, I enjoy creating images that show products in the environments they were designed for. Those projects have taken me to some incredible places, and travel has become a natural extension of both my work and my personal life.
OE: It’s safe to say you stay busy and stay on the road a lot. What keeps you based in the relatively rural Blue Ridge Mountains?
Brock: As much as I enjoy traveling, it’s hard to beat coming home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Living here gives me immediate access to some of the best trails, rivers, and public lands on the East Coast.
It’s the perfect place to test gear, spend time outdoors, and reset between trips. There’s also a great community of outdoor enthusiasts here that makes it feel like home.
Ironically, having a quiet place to come back to probably makes me more willing to head out on the next adventure.
OE: I get that, we’re only about an hour down the Parkway from you, and this area, and Virginia as a whole, has a lot to offer. You’re in the mountains, just a couple of hours from the coast, and you can be in New England or down south after an easy day’s drive.
We’re excited to see you at Overland Expo East in a couple of months. Where can folks find you if they want to chat and check out your Rover?
Brock: I’m really looking forward to Overland Expo East. It’s one of my favorite events because everyone is there to learn, share ideas, and talk about their upcoming adventures.
I’ll have my Series 2A at the Zarges USA booth, so if anyone wants to check it out, talk about Land Rovers, diving, photography, watches, or just swap travel stories, I’d love to meet you. If you recognize me, don’t hesitate to pull me aside and say hello. Some of the best parts of these events are the conversations that happen in the parking lot or around camp after the day’s over.
