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The man is a paradox. You hate what he does to you but at the same time you love it. He is merciless yet compassionate, totally dedicated, yet has a glorious sense of humour with a personality larger than life.

After 15 years living on the Dolphin Coast, Bob Russell is now setting his sights once more on the world of professional sport.

This time with English Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth, where he will take up the role of Head of Sports Massage on June 26.

A well-known figure in SA rugby circles, Russel was part of the Sharks team structures as sports massage therapist for 14 years until 2013.

But it is for Bob’s Bootcamp that hundreds of local fitness enthusiasts will most fondly remember and miss the effervescent Russel when he sets sail for the British Isles.

Whether at 5am under the winter stars on the Umhlali Primary school fields or in the baking December sun at Salt Rock beach, Bob was always ready with a fresh routine to lay siege to your muscles (almost always still tender from the previous “session”).

A veteran of six Comrades, three Iron man triathlons and six Dusi canoe marathons, Russel has always been a fitness fanatic. This love for exercise and his passion for people was the perfect recipe for a “cruel-to-be-kind” bootcamp instructor, which was a pastime when he started Bob’s Bootcamp 10 years ago.

When his time with the Sharks ended, Russel focussed more on Bob’s Bootcamp and injury and sport massage. It was also during this time that he got involved in the fitness training of pupils at Umhlali Prep, Village Kids and KZN primary school netball.

“Helping children from a young age develop a love for exercise through fun and outside play sets them up for a lifetime of benefit. This is one of the most rewarding parts of my job and things I will miss most”, said Russel.

His wife Jonelle and three children, Andrew, Zoe and James will join him in England as soon as their visas come through. Bob’s Bootcamp will continue under direction of local fitness and obstacle race aficionado, Keegan Marsden.

“I will miss friends and real community that we have on the Dolphin Coast – one can never overestimate the value of these”, said an emotional Russel.

Fare well Bob – it’s time to go and make those English hurt and happy at the same time, Mr Paradox.

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

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