Growing up, martial artist Jeremy Parisi points to his older cousin, Angelo Parisi, who competed and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, as his point of entry into the fighting sport. “He was a huge inspiration to me, so my dad took me to my first Judo class after watching him fight. Martial arts is something my father encouraged and I had a natural ability in.” 

Now a martial arts expert and competitor himself, Parisi has been featured in health and fitness magazines all over Europe, and keeps up a thriving social media presence with well over 100 thousand dedicated followers. But he still finds space for much-needed down time and life balance. “Watching a movie or walking my dog Teddy gives me a positive mindset. Being the best version of yourself means you are ready for what life brings you, good or bad.”

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Get to know Bracewell in an exclusive interview below:

V Magazine: How did you first get into martial arts?

Jeremy Parisi: I got into martial arts when I was six years old. My cousin is Angelo Parisi who was the Olympic Champion for France in Moscow in 1980. He was a huge inspiration to me, so my dad took me to my first Judo class after watching him fight. Martial arts is something my father encouraged and I had a natural ability in.

V: What does a training session look like for you?

JP: I always give the best of myself even if it’s a short 30-minute cardio burst on a Peloton bike. If I’m not exhausted by the end, it’s not a good training session for me. I switch my training between cardio and some workouts with weights. I like to change every day and mix it up. For example, one day running, next day interval training, then heavy lifting and stretching. I work out with weights or use my own bodyweight some days.

V: How has martial arts affected the non-athletic parts of your life?

JP: I think being a fighter helps me to have very good discipline with my diet, sleep and recovery. I try to have the most healthy life possible but it’s all about balance. Downtime is also important. Watching a movie or walking my dog Teddy gives me a positive mindset. Being the best version of yourself means you are ready for what life brings you, good or bad.

V: You also act — do you get to do your own stunts?

JP: Yes of course, if I can I always like to do my own stunts! 

V: Who inspires you in martial arts?

JP: The Japanese people, because I love how dedicated they are to Judo, how they admire the beauty of Judo as an art form.

V: What inspired you most in 2021?

JP: The doctors, nurses and care workers throughout the world who selflessly helped everybody during the pandemic. 

V: What are you most looking forward to in 2022?

JP: Traveling without restriction, and reconnecting with friends and family all over the world.

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