What is an Arte Suave Economist?

Promotion to Brown Belt (Faixa Marron)

An Arte Suave Economist is someone that is guided by the main principle of Jigoro Kano: Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort. Jigoro Kano was an educator and the originator of Judo.

Over the years, it has become clear to me that Kano was on to something with his combination of Judo and Education. As an Economics Professor, and a practitioner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu/Brasilian Jiu Jitsu, The Arte Suave, I am able to transfer much of what I learn as a student of Brasilian Jiu Jitsu to the academic setting. I am also able to put into practice what I preach to my economics students.

I will use this blog to further describe these ideas. But first, a minor introduction. The Arte Suave Economist is Russell Engel. I am an Assistant Professor of Economics at Sacred Heart University. Prior to that, I was a student at Florida State University under Mark Isaac and Tim Salmon. I have been training Gracie Jiu Jitsu for...... a while. So that you can put a face to a name, I have posted some photos. 

The awesome guy presenting me with my brown belt is Marcio Stambowsky. I have the honor to count Marcio as not only an instructor but as a true friend. Marcio is legendary when it comes to Gracie Jiu Jitsu, but if I start writing about that, I will be here all night.

The next photo is just so you can see me in all of my nerd glory. It was taken at the 7th Gulf Coast Economics conference. John Taylor is a famous economist, but Ryan is Marty Lyons nephew, so it isn't clear who the second coolest guy in this photo is.

Ryan Murphy, John Taylor, ASEconomist

Lastly, Please watch the video of Joe Rogan describing why everyone should train in The Arte Suave.