Russ Helm is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Eric  Burdo and Julio Fernandez, and a brown belt in judo under Kevin Santi. He began his grappling career in 1997, and  has competed and placed in a variety of tournaments, including Copa  Atlantica and VABJJ events.  He is a certified special education teacher with the Commonwealth of Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.  Russ runs the competition training class and BJJ Fundamentals class on Fridays.