BJJ Mental Models

Latest Episodes:

Mini Ep. 34: Zone of Genius Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain the so-called "zone of genius:" a concept that encourages us to spend our time in the areas where we're most passionate and talented. This has implications for Jiu-Jitsu strategy: We should build a gameplan that takes the fight to places where we are the most exceptional. In terms of our skill development, this means we're best off doubling down on our strengths. Instead of trying to "get good at everything" (which is impossible), we should "get good enough" to avoid losing in our areas of weaknesses, but be exceptional within our areas of strength. As the old saying goes, we want to avoid being a jack of all trades but a master of none.
Before you listen to this episode, check out:
Mini Ep. 33: Layers of Strategy
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16303959-mini-ep-33-layers-of-strategy
Mini Ep. 32: Funneling
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16266002-mini-ep-32-funneling
Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16225783-mini-ep-31-asymmetric-warfare
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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Ep. 316: Content Overload, feat. Jake Luigi Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Jake Luigi from Less Impressed More Involved and Outlier DB! In this episode, Jake discusses a problem we can all relate to: content overload in BJJ. Jake shares great advice on choosing what to study in a world where quality Jiu-Jitsu content is plentiful but time is scarce.
Follow Jake on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/limibjj/
Subscribe to Less Impressed More Involved on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ
Check out Outlier DB:
https://outlierdb.com/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Inversion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
Analysis Paralysis
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/analysis-paralysis/
Feedback Loop
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
Cognitive Load
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
Concepts Over Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
Ecological Dynamics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/

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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/
Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Mini Ep. 33: Layers of Strategy Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain the layers of strategy: every good plan needs a solid foundation and a flexible perimeter. This concept applies to all manner of strategies, both on and off the mats.
Before you listen to this episode, check out:
Mini Ep. 32: Funneling
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16266002-mini-ep-32-funneling
Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16225783-mini-ep-31-asymmetric-warfare
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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Ep. 315: Defensive Angles, feat. Priit Mihkelson Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Defensive BJJ coach and BJJMM fan-favorite guest Priit Mihkelson! In this episode, Priit discusses the importance of angles when defending from inferior positions. Priit explains concepts for finding the correct angle when defending from the bottom, such as maintaining a 45° angle relative to the floor after your legs have been cleared, and how "making a capital T" by positioning your body perpendicular to your opponent can prevent them from wrapping their arm around your head.
Follow Priit on social:
https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson
https://www.facebook.com/priit.mihkelson
Buy Priit's instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/priit-mihkelson
Learn from Priit on Defensive BJJ:
https://www.defensivebjj.com/
Watch Priit's BJJ Globetrotters seminars:
https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/category/videos/instructors/priit-mihkelson/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Mirrored Stances
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/
Constraints-Led Approach
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
You Are What You Train
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train/
Alignment Over Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/
The Map Is not the Territory
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
Labeling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling/
Force Vectors
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/
Priit's 45° Rule
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/priits-45-degree-rule/

Mini Ep. 32: Funneling Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain funneling, a key concept for building Jiu-Jitsu strategies. The idea is to build "funnels," or pathways to where we have an unfair/asymmetric advantage. A good gameplan uses funnels to "connect the dots" so no matter where a match goes, you have a viable pathway to your strongest positions.
Before you listen to this episode, check out:
Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16225783-mini-ep-31-asymmetric-warfare
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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Ep. 314: Reluctant Leadership, feat. Ken Postnikoff Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined by Ken Postnikoff! Ken is the black belt head coach at Confluence Jiu Jitsu and a longtime member of the BJJMM community. In this episode, Ken introduces the concept of "reluctant leadership," or how to be the leader your community needs when leadership doesn't come naturally to you.
Follow Ken on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kenpostnikoff
Train with Ken at Confluence Jiu Jitsu in Castlegar::
https://www.instagram.com/confluencejiujitsu
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Reframing
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reframing/
Self-Organization
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization/
Self-Competition
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
Mindfulness
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
Growth Mindset
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
Magic Relationship Ratio
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/magic-relationship-ratio/
Teach to Learn
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/

Mini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain asymmetric warfare (or asymmetric advantages, if you want to be less dramatic). Asymmetric warfare means looking for unfair advantages: places where we are strong and our opponent is weak. In Jiu-Jitsu this often means seeking a superior position, but it can also mean playing to any other advantage we have, including natural attributes, favorite techniques, and match style.
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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Ep. 313: Second-Level Coaching, feat. Fiona Geisinger Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined by Fiona Geisinger! Fiona is the founder of Athletic Arts and is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt training out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this episode, Fiona explains second-level coaching, and how athletes of all levels benefit from a "second opinion" by working with other coaches either in-person or remotely.
Follow Fiona on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fiona_athletic.arts
Connect with Fiona for coaching:
https://www.athleticarts.co/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Psychological Safety
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
Do What Works
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
Feedback Loop
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/

Mini Ep. 30: Predictable Responses Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

In this week's mini-episode we explain predictable responses. This mental model teaches us that each technique has a series of common reactions, and knowing these reactions allows you to anticipate and "mind read" your opponent. In many ways, knowing a technique's predictable responses can be just as important as knowing the technique itself.
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 the cost of a single private.
Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Ep. 312: Fulcrums, feat. Kelsey Carter Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

This week we're joined by Kelsey Carter! Kelsey is a newly minted black belt from Precision Jiu Jitsu Academy in Sacramento. In this episode, Kelsey discusses the physics and mechanics underlying Jiu-Jitsu techniques, emphasizing the importance of fulcrums, weight distribution, and angles during sweeps and submissions. Kelsey provides insights into adapting techniques for different body types and teaching empowering strategies, particularly for women in the sport. The episode also delves into advanced concepts such as energy conservation, the dynamics of bottom position, and the science behind effective movements.
Follow Kelsey on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kels.jitsu
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Core Mechanics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/
Breaking Mechanics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/breaking-mechanics/
Surface Area
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/
The Map Is Not the Territory
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
Theory of Alignment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
Kuzushi
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
Dominant Angles
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
Shifting Platforms
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/
Center of Gravity
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/

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