In Alabama this weekend, Russell will return to the World Championships as one of Great Britain’s medal hopes.
And while as a UK Sport-funded athlete, cycling is Russell’s number one focus, he supplements his income with modelling jobs on the side.
Signed to a talent agency, who he first met not long after his accident when he decided to attend a casting on a whim, he has appeared in television adverts and worked with numerous well-known brands.
“I would say I’m quite reserved, and I’m probably always the one that just observes, sits back and watches the situation, but there’s definitely situations where I would never have tried before, or opportunities that I would never have tried before my injury, because I’d have just thought that’s not for me,” he said.
“Whereas now, it’s sort of like why is that not for me?
“Something’s happened to me that’s pretty unique, and so why should I not go and try other opportunities that you never know what will come from it.”
Reflecting on his injury, he added: “I think that there is definitely an amazing life after injury. There’s no doubt that it will change your life, and there’s huge learning curves there, but there’s also massive amounts of opportunities that maybe you wouldn’t have before that injury, so it’s definitely worth just grabbing them with both hands and going for it.”