We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grandmaster Shifu Brett Russell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grandmaster Shifu Brett below.
Hi Grandmaster Shifu Brett, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
I’d been teaching martial arts for three years in 1999 when I began teaching stunt actors at Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia. I was asked to be the personal martial arts trainer for the actor John Leguizamo – I trained John up to 4 times a week for about a year.
John had already trained and worked with many highly skilled martial artists. While I was training John, he told me that he believed I was a world-class martial artist who could make it as a trainer and have a successful business.
Being told this early on in my career by a successful actor that I (still) admire meant a lot to me. Having his respect really helped build my confidence at a crucial point in setting up my business. It really just went from there, and by customer base kept growing.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been learning martial arts for 40 years and teaching since 1995. My first training was with Rhee International Tae Kwon Do, reaching a second-degree blackbelt. Then I began Shaolin Temple Kung Fu with the Great Master Shi De Fon, disciple of Grandmaster Shi Su Xi, ex-President of the Shaolin Temple. I became a 32nd-generation Shaolin Temple disciple.
After years of training in Shaolin Temple Martial Arts, I was given the disciple name Shi Xing Wu, translating to ‘Martial Warrior’, reflecting my natural ability as a warrior in the ancient arts. I was ranked a 4th Duan Wei by the Chinese Wushu Association for Traditional Shaolin Temple Martial Arts. Also known as Tiger Level, this is the highest ranking that can be held by a non-Chinese national.
Soon after, I was training stunt actors on movie sets and providing VIP bodyguarding services in Sydney, Australia. I’ve since trained a range of people – from those interested in self-defense and fitness generally, to become known as a ‘trainer of trainers’ in the fitness industry, to professional skills development for military and law enforcement personnel.
One of the things I’m most proud of has been teaching and mentoring people to run their own martial arts fitness businesses. Most recently we’ve been focusing on bringing SDF to the USA. With SDF, we aim to bring the ancient teachings of martial arts to general fitness for a workout that includes the benefits of self-defense, spiritual development, and mental well-being.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I don’t just do this as a job — I live it. It’s a passion that I enjoy and I have built my training into my lifestyle. People tell me that my enthusiasm and commitment to martial arts and fitness inspires them.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
I would definitely choose this profession again… but I also love aviation and I have trained to be a pilot. I am lucky that I can still go out and fly a plane for recreation, but I still get to teach martial arts as a career.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaolinmonkmartialarts.com
- Instagram: grandmastershifubrettrussell
- Facebook: www.shaolinmonkmartialarts.com
- Linkedin: Grandmaster Shifu Brett Russell