Instructor Hogg began his fencing career in 1993 in El Paso, Texas, training in the modern competitive sporting form until 2000. In 2003, Russell became a student of traditional fencing at the Martinez Academy of Arms. He was drawn to the Academy because of the way it honors the deep heritage of fencing. He has served as Chef de Salle at the Academy, where he has earned the rank of Instructor of Arms in classical French foil and dueling sword as well as French small-sword. He has also assisted Maestros Martínez and Acosta-Martínez in a number of workshops and demonstrations. He currently resides in the Naples/Ft. Myers area in Southwest Florida, where he runs the Côte du Golfe School of Fencing and is also available for private lessons.

Although he has a broad interest and background in traditional fencing weapons and styles, Russell’s primary interest lies in the evolution of French fencing from its appearance as a distinct school in the mid-17th century. He thus devotes much of his attention to French foil, dueling sword, and small-sword, as well as rapier. He continues to research fencing of the baroque and classical eras, and has published articles on fencing in the 1800s and early 1900s. As a researcher and professor of anatomy he is also very interested in human anatomy and kinesiology as they relate to fencing (especially the teaching of fencing) and the martial arts in general. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Performance at Florida Gulf Coast University.