Page 36 - Issue 3
P. 36

JOSH







                                                                                                                                      RUSSELL














                                                                                                                                      GRAPPLING
                                                                                                                                      THE WILDERNESS




                                                                                                                                        Josh Russell began studying martial arts over 20 years
                                                                                                                                      ago. He earned his black belt from Carlos Gracie, Jr. in 2004
                                                                                                                                      and is owner and lead instructor of JR Academy in Calgary
                                                                                                                                      AB Canada.


                                                                                                                                        He’s also a badass outdoorsman. Spearfishing, big game
                                                                                                                                      bowhunting and free diving are just a few of his hobbies.
                                                                                                                                      Russell answered all our questions regarding two of his
                                                                                                                                      greatest passions.

                                                                                                                                      GrapplerMag: When did you first start training BJJ?

                                                                                                                                      Josh Russell: I first started at a Japanese Jiu Jitsu club Feb 97.
                                                                                                                                      The instructor there had the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu instructional
                                                                                                                                      course on VHS. So he would often mix the two styles together.
                                                                                                                                      It was helpful training but it was very crude technique by
                                                                                                                                      today’s standards. Then from there onto another place with
                                                                                                                                      semi/full MMA training 98-99. My first real introduction to
                                                                                                                                      BJJ was when I moved to Brazil and went to my first class Nov
                                                                                                                                      2 2000 at Gracie Barra HQ in Rio de Janeiro.

                                                                                                                                      GM:  How would you characterize your progression to
                                                                                                                                      earning your black belt?









                                                                                                                                      Written By:
                                                                                                                                      BRANDON IBARRA, ROME LYTTON
                                                                                                                                      Photographed By:  @joshrussell9911

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