About Me
Contact me
I’m Josh Willis, the founder of CYPHR Combat. I’ve always preferred to let the brand speak for itself, but I’ve learned that people often appreciate knowing the person behind the name.
I’ve spent most of my life somewhere between sport and garment manufacturing — two worlds that shaped how I see design, performance, and what makes great gear. I grew up around garment manufacturing, learning the importance of craftsmanship and fit, while also competing and staying active through rowing, rugby, and now Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I started CYPHR Combat to bring those two parts of my life together — to make gear that reflects real experience, both in how it’s made and how it’s used. Every product comes from that mix: years of understanding clothing construction, and years of testing what works on the mats. My aim is simple — gear with purpose, built to perform, and created by someone who genuinely lives it.
Willis Lingerie
My story starts with Willis Lingerie, my family’s business that helped shape my understanding of design and manufacturing. Established in Sydney, Willis built its reputation on craftsmanship and attention to detail — garments made locally, from the finest fabrics, with a focus on fit and finish that bordered on obsession. The philosophy was simple: if we liked it, we made it. That commitment to quality and pride in production was my earliest exposure to the rag trade, and it’s something that’s stayed with me ever since.
Rowing & Rugby
Sport has always been the other half of my life. I rowed competitively, representing NSW at the Youth Olympics, and later played rugby for Eastern Suburbs RUFC, where we won the 2002 2nd Grade Colts premiership. Those experiences taught me the value of discipline, teamwork, and the importance of gear that performs under pressure.
Pontoon Sports
In 2006, I co-founded Pontoon Sports, a custom teamwear business
For ten years, Pontoon supplied apparel to rowing clubs, schools, and teams across Australia and the world.. Including the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, the Australian Canoe/Kayak team, and Fiji Rugby to name a few.
BJJ and CYPHR Combat
I started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Anthony Perosh, a journey that’s become central to my life. I earned my blue belt in 2020 and my purple belt in 2022.
CYPHR Combat grew out of everything that came before it — a lifetime in sport, manufacturing, and design. It’s a one-person project focused on creating high-quality, custom BJJ gear that combines technical performance with clean, considered design. Every item is developed with the same precision and pride I saw growing up, and the same mindset I bring to training.
