Josh Magden – 5am BJJ

• BJJ Brown Belt

Josh is a brown belt under Professor Alex Henley and Insight has been his home gym since he started jiu jitsu at age 40 with zero grappling experience. He was a collegiate football player and club rugby player, and trained in krav maga until he needed open heart surgery at 36. Josh found Insight a few years later when he moved to Smithville and went to Lowe’s to buy a tractor, but was sold instead on joining the gym by the store manager at the time, who also trained at Insight.

Josh took over primary responsibilities for the 5am class when Professor Jackson moved to Rockport in 2024. Josh enjoys training at other gyms when he travels, including gyms in Brazil, Madagascar, New York, Harrisburg, Myrtle Beach & San Diego. He loves to cross-pollinate with Professor Walt’s boxing classes and Sensei Pat’s judo classes when he can. Josh also serves on the Smithville ISD school board and Smithville Youth Football Association board in his spare time.

Josh loves the intensity of scraps on the mats and the camaraderie of the team, but he knows that ultimately the battle belongs to the Lord.