BJJ Mental Models

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 141: Life After Fighting, feat. Eliot Marshall Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

This week, we're joined by Eliot Marshall. Eliot is a UFC veteran, BJJ black belt, and co-owner of the Easton Training Center. Eliot joins us to discuss the fighter's journey after retirement from competition, and how to build a sustainable business in the sport you love.
Check out Eliot's podcast, The Gospel of Fire:
https://gospeloffire.libsyn.com/
Eliot's book, also called The Gospel of Fire:
https://www.eliotmarshall.com/book
Easton Online:
https://www.easton.online/
Eliot's website:
https://www.eliotmarshall.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Abundance Mindset
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/
First Principles
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
Kaizen
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
Beginner's Mind
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
Investing in Loss
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/

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://premium.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/
Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/
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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/
Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Ep. 140: Defensive BJJ, feat. Priit Mihkelson Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Priit Mihkelson is back! This week, Priit explains his framework for Jiu-Jitsu, and how his defensive strategies integrate with more mainstream strategies.
Topics discussed:

Introduction to Priit's Defensive BJJ
Crunches vs. twists
How Priit's system was developed
Defensive BJJ vs. Biernacki's theory of alignment
What problem Defensive BJJ solves

Quick introduction to the Defensive BJJ system:
https://youtu.be/vHDqBGNTnfY
Defensive BJJ:
https://www.defensivebjj.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Limb Coiling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
Prevention Over Cure
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
Train With Purpose
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
Theory of Alignment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
Concepts Over Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
First Principles
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/

SPECIAL: Abuse & Accountability, feat. Emily Kwok & Dominyka Obelenyte Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Ep. 139: Posts, feat. Matt Kwan Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Matt discuss posts: one of the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu. Posting, or connecting with the floor to create base, is a concept that's often not discussed in detail. In this episode, we break down the mental models for posting.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Core Mechanics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/
Force Vectors
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/
3 Joint Rule
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/
Ratchet Control
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ratchet-control/
Head Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position/
Theory of Alignment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
Predictable Responses
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
Center of Gravity
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/
Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/

BONUS: The Gameplanning Series, free demo! Aug 14, 2021

Show notes

Here's a freebie for all of you loyal listeners: the first 30 minutes of the BJJ Mental Models Gamplanning Series!
The Gameplanning Series is the first full course we made for BJJ Mental Models Premium. This 7-part series walks you through the process of building a Jiu-Jitsu gameplan using the mental models we talk about on the show. Enjoy the first 30 minutes of this course, on us.
To get the full course, as well as the other awesome perks available to Premium subscribers, check out BJJ Mental Models Premium:
https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/

Ep. 138: Jiu-Jitsu Career Paths, feat. Rebecca Hughes Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

This week we're joined by Rebecca "Beans" Hughes! Rebecca is best known for her hit online BJJ coaching course, Camp Nebula. In this episode, Rebecca shares her tips for building a thriving career in Jiu-Jitsu, even if you're not a black belt or world champion.
Check out Rebecca's coaching at Camp Nebula:
https://campnebula.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Idea Communism
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/
Plus Minus Equals
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/
Do What Works
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
Feedback Loop
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
Inertia
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inertia/
Teach to Learn
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
Race to the Bottom
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/race-to-the-bottom/
Respect People, Not Positions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
Curse of Knowledge
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/

Ep. 137: Empathy, feat. Jamie Kilstein Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Note: this episode has been replaced. Please listen to the audio for an important message.

Ep. 136: The Anaconda System, feat. Matt Skaff Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

This week we're joined by Matt Skaff! Matt is a 10th Planet black belt who specializes in the anaconda choke. The anaconda is powerful because it's not just a choke: it's a powerful positional system with a lot of submission options.
Matt's key advice for the anaconda:

Don't squeeze too early!
Don't go deep too early: you don't want them to control your elbow.
Use your lat for power: pinch your elbows to your core.
Grab your tricep, not your bicep. Internally rotate your thumb down.
Before you gator roll, pull them back and sprawl at 45°.

Listen to Matt's Skaff on The Grappling Discourse:
https://anchor.fm/matt-skaff
Videos referenced in this episode:

Rafael Mendes vs. André Galvão
https://youtu.be/7-F9PksNNIo
Rafael Mendes anaconda choke
https://youtu.be/Nw2xfELw4wc

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Single vs. Double Lever Control
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/
Committed Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
Position Over Submission
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
Predictable Responses
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
Kinetic Chains
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/
3 Joint Rule
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/
Myopia
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/
Overwhelming Force
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/

Ep. 135: Transmission of Knowledge, feat. Drew Weatherhead Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

This week, we're joined by Drew Weatherhead from Because Jitsu! Drew shares his best practices for transmission of knowledge and efficient learning.
Book referenced in this episode:
Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374533557
Find Drew online at:
Drew Weatherhead Jiu-Jitsu
https://drewjitsuonline.com
Because Jitsu
https://www.instagram.com/because_jitsu

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Concepts vs. Techniques
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-vs-techniques/
Form to Leave Form
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/
Teach to Learn
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
Cognitive Load
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
Theory of Alignment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
Economy of Motion
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
Cognitive Dissonance
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/
Beginner's Mind
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
Path of Least Resistance
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
3 Joint Rule
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/
Alignment Over Position
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/
Respect People, Not Positions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/

Ep. 134: Bullshit Inoculation, feat. Phrost Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

This week we're joined by Phrost, the founder of Bullshido. You probably know Bullshido as one of the internet's best resources for debunking fake martial arts, fake news, and other bullshit. In this episode, Phrost shares his toolkit for inoculating yourself against bullshit.
Phrost's advice:

Enforce the burden of proof.
Avoid dichotomous (black and white) thinking.
Keep your identity small.
Trust data, not anecdotes.
Beware of those promising certainty.
Understand that imperfect solutions are still useful.
You can have too much of a good thing.
It's easier to guard your mind from bullshit than to get it out later.
You have to give a shit about the truth.
Beware confirmation bias: is it true, or do you want it to be true?
Check your sources, and then check the checks on those sources.
Biased does not equal false.
Asking for money does not immediately make you a scammer.
Don't assume an edge case applies to the whole.

Mental models discussed in this episode:

Keep Your Identity Small
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
Probabilistic Thinking
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
Marginal Gains
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/marginal-gains/
Certainty Bias
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-bias/
Mindfulness
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
Confirmation Bias
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/confirmation-bias/

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/premium/
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/
Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/
Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/
Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/
Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

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