BJJ Mental Models

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 256: Rolling Back Takes, feat. Stephan Kesting Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Stephan Kesting! In this episode, the legendary Grapplearts instructor breaks down key concepts from his latest instructional, Rolling Backtakes for Everyone.
Follow Stephan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Dope Mount, The Easiest Way to Get to the Mount —Stephan Kesting
https://youtu.be/hhZx5ZFhSQw
Rolling Backtakes for Everyone, by Stephan Kesting
https://www.grapplearts.com/rolling-backtakes-for-everyone/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Predictable Responses
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
Committed Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
Economy of Motion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
Asymmetric Warfare
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
Static vs. Dynamic Control
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
Investing in Loss
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
Critical Control Points
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/
Keep it Playful
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/

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/

Ep. 255: Blending Judo/Wrestling/BJJ, feat. Chris Wojcik Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined by Chris Wojcik! Chris is a black belt under Jeff Serafin, an accomplished competitor, and the writer of the popular BJJ newsletter The Grappler's Diary.
In this episode, Chris talks about the evolving standup game in competition Jiu-Jitsu, involving a hybrid of wrestling, Judo, and BJJ.
Subscribe to the Grappler's Diary on Substack:
https://chrismwojcik.substack.com/
Get Chris' free ebook:
https://christophermwojcik.com/learn-bjj-faster/
Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Committed Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
Controlling the Distance
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
Mask Your Intentions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
Kuzushi
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
Grips Dictate Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
Growth From Discomfort
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
Investing in Loss
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
Tokui Waza
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza/

Ep. 254: Impostor Syndrome, feat. Drew "Darce_Knight" Foster Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined again by Drew Foster! Drew Foster is a black belt instructor at Elevate MMA in North Carolina, the host of The Neon Belly Podcast, and a frequent contributor on /r/bjj under the alias Darce_Knight.
In this episode, Drew discusses a topic we've wanted to get into for a long time: impostor syndrome. Oxford Dictionary defines impostor syndrome as "the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills."
Follow Drew Foster on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drewdarce
Listen to Drew on The Neon Belly Podcast:
https://theneonbelly.buzzsprout.com/
Check out Drew's contributions on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/user/Darce_Knight/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Self-Competition
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
Double Down on Strengths
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-down-on-strengths/
Respect People, Not Positions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
Kaizen
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
Reflecting "As If"
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reflecting-as-if/
Loss Aversion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion/
Beginner's Mind
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
Keep it Playful
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/

Ep. 253: Finding Your Why, feat. Joe Hannan Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we're joined by Joe Hannan! Joe is a BJJ black belt under Emily Kwok, the founder of BJJ Meditations, and the co-host of The Highest Levels on BJJ Mental Models Premium. In this episode, Joe discusses the importance of finding meaning in your Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Follow Joe on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/
Listen to the BJJ Meditations Podcast:
https://www.bjjmeditations.com/podcast
Subscribe to BJJ Meditations on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@bjjmeditations3786
Visit the BJJ Meditations website:
https://www.bjjmeditations.com/
Resources discussed in this episode:
The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkin:
https://www.joshwaitzkin.com/the-art-of-learning
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis, by John Vervaeke:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
Keep Your Identity Small
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
Prioritize Longevity
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
Keep it Playful
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/

Ep. 252: Ecological Drilling for Snobs, feat. Matt Kwan Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Brother Matt joins us to discuss his coaching experience with ecological dynamics and drilling. We also get into whether the discourse surrounding the ecological approach in Jiu-Jitsu is productive or toxic.
Check out The Essential Jiu-Jitsu Podcast with Brother Matt:
https://ejjp.show/
Subscribe to EJJP on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@TheEssentialJiuJitsuPodcast
Check out the On Guard online academy:
https://onguardbjj.com/
Zara Can Do Jiu-Jitsu:
https://amzn.to/46tACIH
Resources discussed in this episode:
BJJMM episode 206 feat. Dr. Rob Gray:
https://bjj.plus/206
How We Learn to Move, by Dr. Rob Gray:
https://amzn.to/3E5tg1o
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Ecological Psychology
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
Constraints-Led Approach
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
Interleaving
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/
You Are What You Train
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train/
Effortful Retrieval
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval/
Differential Learning
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/differential-learning/

Ep. 251: The Ladder System for Guard Passing, feat. Kristian Woodmansee Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined by Kristian Woodmansee! Kristian is a black belt under André Galvão, the founder of Logic BJJ Online, and the head instructor at Logic Philly. In this episode, Kristian explains his ladder system for guard passing: a simple concept that helps anyone better understand best practices for passing the guard.
Follow Kristian on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/logicbjjonline/
Subscribe to Logic BJJ Online:
https://logicbjjonline.com/
Train with Kristian at Logic Philly:
https://logicphilly.com/
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Probabilistic Thinking
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
The Map Is Not the Territory
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
Dictate the Pace
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
Grips Dictate Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
Dominant Angles
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
Grip Inversion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/
Phases of Passing
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-passing/
Inversion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
Funneling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/

Ep. 250: Work-Life Balance, feat. Riley Stearns Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined by Riley Stearns! Riley is a BJJ black belt under Shawn Williams, and a film director best known for The Art of Self-Defense, starring Jesse Eisenberg. In this episode, Riley shares his advice on achieving work-life balance, and how to maximize your enjoyment of Jiu-Jitsu without letting it take over your life.
Follow Riley on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rileystearns/
Check out Riley's Jiu-Jitsu project, Hobbyist:
https://www.instagram.com/hobbyistinc/
Watch Riley's films:
The Art of Self-Defense:
https://bit.ly/3Zdncy7 (HBO Max)
https://bit.ly/3t01bqc (Apple TV)
Faults:
https://bit.ly/3PcjpfT (Amazon Prime)
Dual:
https://bit.ly/3RlT9Cw (Hulu)
Mental models discussed in this episode:

First Principles
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
Self-Competition
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
Raise the Level in the Room
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
Teach to Learn
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/

Ep. 249: Creating Luck, feat. Wesley "LambySeries" Seek Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

"I truly believe I can create luck." That's something you'll hear if you listen to interviews with Wesley Seek. Wesley, better known by his handle LambySeries - or Lamby for short - is a world-class competitive card gamer, previously achieving Grandmaster status in Hearthstone and currently considered the best Marvel Snap player in the world.
This episode serves two purposes. First, to feed Steve's crippling Marvel Snap addiction. And second, to give Lamby a platform to share his sport-agnostic advice on creating luck, shaping the meta, and playing through tilt.
Follow Lamby on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/lambyseriestv
Follow Lamby on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LambySeriesGG
Subscribe to Lamby's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@lambyseriesgaming
Join Lamby's Discord:
https://discord.gg/aHjyMnvNQh
Mental models discussed in this episode:

Table Selection
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/
Predictable Responses
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
Asymmetric Warfare
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
Kaizen
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
Investing in Loss
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
Shuhari
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
Do What Works
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
Beginner's Mind
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
Mindfulness
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
Building Your Triggers
http://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers/

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/

Ep. 248: The Closed Loop Strategy, feat. Shawn Williams Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined by Shawn Williams! Shawn is a black belt under Renzo Gracie, and is both a renowned competitor and teacher. In this episode, Shawn Williams explains his "closed loop" strategy for Jiu-Jitsu, wherein you're always advancing without compromising position.
Follow Shawn on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shawnwilliamsbjj/
Visit Shawn's website:
https://shawnwilliamsbjj.tv/
Visit Shawn's digital academy:
https://jiujitsuedu.com/
Buy Shawn's instructionals:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shawn-williams

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Position Over Submission
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
Return on Investment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
Windows of Opportunity
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/
Form to Leave Form
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/
Teach to Learn
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
Committed Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/

Ep. 247: The Importance of Wrestling, feat. Anthony Birchak Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

This week we're joined by Anthony "El Toro" Birchak! Anthony is a UFC, Bellator, and Rizin MMA veteran, as well as a BJJ black belt under Casey Halstead. In this episode, Anthony draws on his wrestling background to explain the importance of wrestling, both mentally and technically, in Jiu-Jitsu.
Follow Anthony on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/abirchakmma/
Follow Anthony on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyBirchak/
Train with Anthony at 10th Planet Tucson:
https://www.10thplanettucson.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Mask Your Intentions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
Respect People, Not Positions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
Beginner's Mind
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
Controlling the Distance
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
Asymmetric Warfare
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/

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