News Release - Behind the Black Belt Podcast Interview

  In addition to being an artist Michael Armstrong is also a martial artist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Black Belt and instructor at Redback BJJ Canberra Australia. Like art, martial arts has been a key component in his life since he was a child and has led to the achievement of several black belts, Senior Unarmed Combat Instructor in the Australian Army, and the coach of thousands of students over a three decade instructing career. Michael was recently invited to be interviewed on a Podcast called Behind the Black Belt and spoke at length about his art and martial arts journey. If you're interested in a behind the curtain look at my upbringing, family and the key moments that led him on his journey, please check out the podcast on all the major distribution applications or via YouTube on the link below.

In the interview Michael discussed the following topics:

• His upbringing in Papunya, Alice Springs and Melbourne Australia
• His Grandfather Jack Armstrong, Father John Armstrong and Mother Lynne Armstrong
• His wrestling experiences growing up
• His siblings
• His early forays in art, exhibiting, life drawing, art school and the role of the figure in his art
• His early Karate experience with instructor Shihan Frank Dimarco
• Joining The Australian Army
• Training with martial arts instructors and fellow students such as Wayne Williams, Chris Haseman, Bill Turner, Colin Crosby, Rob Williams, John Donahue, John Will, Tony Morris, Eduardo Diaz, Danny Weir, Declan Redman and Travis Faure
• His motivation and beliefs around martial arts training
• The impact martial arts and art making has had on each other
• The role of the Warrior Monk or Yamabushi in his life and art
• The role of martial arts and art in his current life

If you are interested in following up or interviewing Michael for your own podcast or blog please contact him through the CONTACT tab on this website