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BJJ Mental Models

Author: Steve Kwan

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Explore the conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests discuss the mental models, or universal principles, behind the gentle art.
313 Episodes
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Mini Ep. 8: Wedges

Mini Ep. 8: Wedges

2024-06-2707:55

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing wedges, and we don't mean pizza! We break down the two types of wedges in Jiu-Jitsu: blocking wedges (used for immobilizing your opponent) and prying wedges (used for breaking open your opponent's defenses). This is the third in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts.Further study:Mini Ep. 6: Frameshttps://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/152...
This week we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff is the head instructor at Serafin BJJ, a partner at Gym 1801, and a black belt under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias. In this episode, Jeff advocates for fostering a healthy gym culture and reducing dogma in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: identifying and avoiding toxic gym cultures, ego management in training, and strategies for pairing students to ensure safety and learning. Follow Jeff on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/serafinbj...
Mini Ep. 7: Levers

Mini Ep. 7: Levers

2024-06-2009:52

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing levers! Levers are force multipliers and the source of leverage in Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, we talk about the levers of the human body, turning frames into levers, and when levers are less important. This is the second in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts.Further study:Mini Ep. 6: Frameshttps://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/1...
This week we're joined again by Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic! Lyzz is a multi-time black belt masters world champion and a longtime member of the BJJ Mental Models Premium community. Lyzz will be competing at ADCC this year after earning her entry via victory at ADCC West Coast Trials. In this episode, Lyzz shares what high-level competition camps look like, how to best utilize your competition team, and what to do when your preparation doesn't go according to plan.Follow Lyzz...
Mini Ep. 6: Frames

Mini Ep. 6: Frames

2024-06-1310:14

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing frames! You probably know what a frame is, but I'm guessing you haven't walked through the concept as in-depth as we'll do here today! Let's talk about how we define a "frame," when we want to use frames, what makes frames useful, and when frames become a liability. This is the first in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts. Further stud...
This week we're joined again by Chris Wojcik! Chris is a black belt under Jeff Serafin and the author of The Grappler's Diary. In this episode, Chris discusses open guard leg entanglement strategies under different rulesets. Follow Chris on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcikhttps://www.instagram.com/thegrapplersdiary Subscribe to The Grappler's Diary:https://thegrapplersdiary.com/Resources discussed in this episode:Everything is Turtle, by Steve Kwan (requires BJJMM ...
In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the alignment scorecard! It's a quick way to use Rob Biernacki's alignment framework to "score" your grappling and make smarter grappling decisions faster. This episode builds on the last four mini-episodes about base, posture, structure, and alignment.Further study:BJJMM Mini Ep. 1: Basehttps://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15022850-mini-ep-1-baseBJJMM Mini Ep. 2: Posturehttps://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15078064-mini-e...
This week we're joined again by Cal McDonald! Cal is a BJJ black belt under Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team and is the author of the new "BJJ Foundations" instructional alongside Stephan Kesting from Grapplearts. In this episode, Cal discusses "automatic grappling," or the science of how we can improve our reaction time and make better decisions by thinking less when we train.Email Cal:cal.mcdonald@hotmail.comGet Cal's instructional, BJJ Foundations:https://www.grapplearts.com/...
Mini Ep. 4: Alignment

Mini Ep. 4: Alignment

2024-05-3011:30

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of alignment! Alignment is Rob Biernacki's simplified concept for understanding Jiu-Jitsu and making smarter grappling decisions faster. This episode builds on the last three mini-episodes about base, posture, and structure.Further study:BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignmenthttps://bjj.plus/1BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernackihttps://bjj.plus/50Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki (exclusively on BJJMM Premium)https:...
This week we're joined by Lucas Wilhan! Lucas is a black belt under Bruno Fernandes and is the head instructor at Lapel Arts in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In this episode, Lucas joins us to break down concepts behind the ankle lock, and to discuss modern innovations and variants around this submission.Follow Lucas, Pauline, and Lapel Arts on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lucaswilhanhttps://www.instagram.com/paulibakhttps://www.instagram.com/lapelartsCheck out Lucas' instructiona...
Mini Ep. 3: Structure

Mini Ep. 3: Structure

2024-05-2308:53

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of structure! Structure means the ability to effectively utilize your limbs. This episode builds on the last two mini-episodes about base and posture.Further study:BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignmenthttps://bjj.plus/1BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernackihttps://bjj.plus/50Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintroDon't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!If you...
This week we're joined by Dr. Jooyoung Lee! Jooyoung is a BJJ black belt, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, and an accredited expert in the sociological study of violence. In this episode, Jooyoung discusses the science behind "pulling the trigger" when grappling, how to be more aggressive in the moment, and how to avoid becoming flustered in the face of your opponent's aggression.Follow Jooyoung on social media:https://www.instagram.com/joojitsuleehttps://www...
Mini Ep. 2: Posture

Mini Ep. 2: Posture

2024-05-1609:45

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of posture! Let's talk about what posture means in the context of Jiu-Jitsu, why it's so important, and how managing posture improves both your defense and offense. This episode builds on last week's mini-episode about base.Further study:BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignmenthttps://bjj.plus/1BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernackihttps://bjj.plus/50Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:https://bjjmentalmode...
This week we're joined by Beatrice Jin! Beatrice is a coach at Kogaion Academy in Virginia, an outstanding brown belt professional competitor, and the operator of America's longest-running women's open mat. In this episode, Beatrice explains how unaggressive grapplers can shed that passive mindset, "stop being nice," and weaponize the strategic meanness needed to excel at high-level Jiu-Jitsu.Follow Beatrice on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/berimbozoFollow Kogaion Academy on...
Mini Ep. 1: Base

Mini Ep. 1: Base

2024-05-0912:18

We're launching a brand new mini-podcast! Once a week, we'll publish a brief explanation of a key mental model for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This week we're talking about base, one of the core elements from Rob Biernacki's theory of alignment.Further study:BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignmenthttps://bjj.plus/1BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernackihttps://bjj.plus/50Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to check out BJ...
This week we're joined again by Dominyka Obelenyte! Dom is a black belt under Marcelo Garcia, a 4x black belt and 10x overall world champion, and a longtime BJJ Mental Models collaborator and coach. In this episode, Dominyka breaks down mental models for Jiu-Jitsu gameplanning alongside her new Digitsu instructional, The Art of the Gameplan.Get Dom's gameplanning instructional on Digitsu:https://digitsu.com/programs/art-of-the-gameplan-dominyka-obelenyteFollow Dom on Instagram:htt...
Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of ...
This week we're joined again by Josh McKinney! Josh is a coach at HeadnodHQ in Illinois and a black belt under Kyle Watson. In this episode, Josh breaks down his "Champions Stay Present" coaching strategy: a mindfulness-based method to help athletes achieve their best performance and mental state.Follow Josh on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmckinneyCheck out the I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show:https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinneyhttps://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow...
This week we're joined again by Dr. Mike Piekarski! Better known as "Doctor Kickass" on Instagram, Mike is a BJJ black belt under Henry Akins and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. In this episode, we discuss ways to safely apply the stack pass and reduce your risk of injury while defending it.Follow Mike on social:https://www.instagram.com/doctor_kickasshttps://www.facebook.com/mike.piekarski.50Work with Mike:https://linktr.ee/doctor_kickassMental models discussed in this episode:E...
This week we're joined by Giles Garcia! Giles is the head coach at Ronin Grappling in Glasgow, Scotland. In this episode, Giles explains why it's so important that coaches help their students simplify their thinking surrounding Jiu-Jitsu.Follow Giles on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/el_guancheTrain with Giles at Ronin Grappling:https://roningrappling.com/Learn from Giles online at BJJ Codex:https://www.bjjcodex.com/Resources discussed in this episode:White Belt Survival Cour...
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Comments (11)

Ayman El-Ghazali

When he said Gym tattoos I rolled my eyes and then looked at the release date of the episode. I almost gave up on the podcast. It was an April fools joke. I will say that listening to how ridiculously they talk about things made me realize lots of people behave poorly. An effective way to reach certain people, well done!!

Apr 14th
Reply

Shuofei Yang Sophie

Agreed with why some blue belts left because they’ve experienced/seen negative things after a few years….

Sep 5th
Reply

Shuofei Yang Sophie

Yes, an episode on social media couldn’t be more relatable atm.

May 31st
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Shuofei Yang Sophie

This is a great episode.

May 31st
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Shuofei Yang Sophie

You guys are the best!

Apr 16th
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Jimi Danaan

It took me longer than I'm willing to admit to realise that this is an April Fools episode.

Mar 8th
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Shuofei Yang Sophie

A very good episode, as usual. Keep it up guys!! I’ve been struggling with getting to the offense side from half guard, which I’m naturally inclined to do..now I’m seeing it from another perspective. Also reverse de la riva. Thanks for sharing!

Jan 13th
Reply (1)

Sal Frech

my name is coach Sal I've coached mixed martial arts for almost 15 years I live in a third world country when mixed martial arts is more of a glorified street fights they don't have real discipline they put kids to fight for almost no money I coach in a dojo that is a judo and Sambo BJJ with catch wrestling an American kickboxing have my team has won national titles in Judo and samba and they won in their first BJJ tournament I think your show is great you're being listened around the world keep up the great work ZOMBIE MMA & SABAOT Academy we make no money I do volunteer work and we train kids so they won't be out on the streets boring games our country right now is going through a civil war we live they today the sport of BJJ is keeping us alive it keeps us motivated to going forward I don't have a black belt I don't have no ranks just a white guy volunteers his services for the right cause I don't get paid I do this because this was what God gave me this gift I have worked with guys

Jul 9th
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Matthew Fleming

Hey guys, would I really enjoy this podcast as a Coach, Student, and Competitor and Recommend it to my teammates. Would y'all ever do one on competition focus like things like supplemental training and game planning from an athlete and coach side of things? I would love to hear y'alls opinions and thoughts! Thank You!

Apr 4th
Reply (1)