John of all trades
Though he was a sniper assassin in the military and a private investigator who searched for missing children, 54-year-old John Russell, of Tampa, has found the most excitement underwater.
And that’s part of the reason he traded his day jobs for a job teaching people to scuba dive.
“It’s a lot more fun making $8 an hour in the water than $75 following criminals. I get more of a thrill out of petting a shark than petting a criminal,” says Russell.
“You walk around outside, and you see flowers and things like that, so often you almost become jaded by them,” Russell says. “Then you see the beauty underwater and you know there is a God. It’s a religious experience, more than anything else.”
Russell, who still subcontracts investigative work, will continue to dive as a source of income and delight; sharing his passion with others.
“I’ve already taught my brother and son to dive. It’s just such a rewarding sport.”