James Donahue is a purple belt under professors Charles and Kristi Russell, representing the Rodrigo Vaghi affiliation. His journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began in 2012 and came from the world of MMA. This is where James discovered that jiu jitsu was his true passion.

As an active competitor, James competes in the heavyweight and ultra-heavyweight divisions, where he has racked up six gold medals. His competitive resume speaks to his relentless work ethic, but his personality is what truly sets him apart. As he puts it, he is the "the heaviest, most unapologetic guard puller you will ever see." Where most big guys default to top pressure, James embraces the guard with confidence, using his weight, leverage, and a deceptively technical bottom game to sweep and submit opponents of all sizes.

As a coach, James brings that same unapologetic energy to every class. He believes that jiu-jitsu should be effective, practical, and above all, enjoyable for everyone, from the hobbyist looking to get in shape to the competitor chasing a podium finish. He has a gift for breaking down complex movements into digestible steps, ensuring that even the newest students leave class feeling accomplished rather than overwhelmed.