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PODCAST

BJJ Mental Models

Your guide to a conceptual and intelligent Jiu-Jitsu approach. BJJ black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests explain the concepts, strategies, and tactics behind the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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All Episodes

58:38

Ep. 357: The Truth About Burnout, feat. Jeff Shaw

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/29

This week, we're joined again by Jeff Shaw from Bellingham BJJ! In this episode, Jeff talks about the causes and cures for burnout in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: plateaus, the “blue belt blues,” the unique pressures faced by instructors and gym owners, keeping training sustainable, protecting consistency, staying playful, reframing expectations, and redefining what Jiu-Jitsu should mean for your life over the long term. Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellinghambjj Train ...

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5:57

Mini Ep. 73: Tipping Points

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/25

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss tipping points: the idea that once you have sufficient leverage or momentum, your desired outcome can no longer be denied. 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 ou...

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57:04

Ep. 356: Safer Jiu-Jitsu Competitions, feat. Dr. Jen...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/22

This week, we're joined by Dr. Jen Case! Jen is a 13x IBJJF masters world champion, BJJ black belt under Renato Tavares, coach at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and PhD in Human Nutrition & Performance. In this episode, Jen covers the risks of Jiu-Jitsu competition and how it can be made safer. Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjenjitsu/ Jen's website: https://drjencase.com/ Train with Jen at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy in North Carolina: https://charlotte-bjj.com/ M...

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7:53

Mini Ep. 72: Solid Frames

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/18

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss what makes solid frames: relying on bone structure, and minimizing the joints involved. We explain the difference between short-range and long-range frames, and when to use them. 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 th...

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62:42

Ep. 355: Jiu-Jitsu Tape Study, feat. Corey Guitard

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/15

This week, we're joined by Corey Guitard from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Calgary! In this episode, Corey explains how tape study in Jiu-Jitsu (such as video feedback and instructionals) builds structured, efficient learning. Follow Corey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/10thplanetcalgary Train with Corey at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Calgary: https://10thplanetcalgary.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Invariants https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants/ Learning Modalities htt...

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8:59

Mini Ep. 71: Priit's 45° Rule

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/11

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss Priit's 45° Rule, a helpful tip for surviving (and escaping) bad positions. The "rule" tells us: When your legs have been neutralized (ie. guard is passed), get your shoulders at 45 degrees relative to the floor. 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 po...

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57:30

Ep. 354: How Goals Evolve, feat. Thomas Rozdzynski

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/08

This week, we're joined by Thomas Rozdzynski from RŌL Academy! In this episode, Thomas discusses how students’ Jiu-Jitsu goals evolve over time, the importance of coach–student communication, and balancing fun with measurable progress for long-term success. Follow Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rozdzynskibjj Train with Thomas at RŌL Academy in Orland Park: https://www.rolacademy.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Compatible Intent https://bjjmentalmodels.com/co...

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5:19

Mini Ep. 70: Hick's Law

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/04

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss Hick's Law, a powerful psychology and design concept that explains how the availability of more options increases our decision-making time. 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 journ...

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75:53

Ep. 353: Jiu-Jitsu Fitness Myths, feat. Dr. Kristi...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/09/01

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Kristi Charish and Dr. Christle Guevarra for a deep dive into fitness and nutrition myths in Jiu-Jitsu! Kristi & Christle explore how bad information spreads, the role of genetics in performance, and why aspiring athletes often fail when trying to do everything at once. They break down key misconceptions around supplements, weight cutting, and performance-enhancing drugs, while also addressing sensitive but crucial topics like Ozempic, hormone therapy,...

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6:15

Mini Ep. 69: Consistency

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/28

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss consistency as a concept, and explain how it acts as the basis for building good habits, achieving compound gains, and creating luck. 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 ar...

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61:00

BONUS: Updated Pedagogy, feat. Rob Biernacki

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/26

In this bonus episode, Rob Biernacki talks pedagogy! We discuss his updated pedagogy module on BJJ Concepts, the evolving landscape of Jiu-Jitsu instruction, balancing concepts with techniques, evidence versus anecdote, emotional dysregulation in students, and the role of community in gym culture. Rob also shares news on his upcoming retirement from full-time teaching at Island Top Team, the winding down of his visiting student program, and his plans for future teaching through visiting instr...

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56:31

Ep. 352: Arm Drag Concepts, feat. Niamh Bryn

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/25

This week we're joined by Niamh Bryn, owner of Snowblind BJJ in Seattle! In this episode, Niamh explores the versatility and depth of the arm drag, and why it's more than just a beginner move. We explain its role as an opening salvo to create reactions, off-balances, and angles rather than an all-or-nothing attempt at taking the back. Follow Snowblind BJJ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowblind_bjj Train with Niamh at Snowblind BJJ: https://snowblindbjj.net/ Mental models discus...

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6:25

Mini Ep. 68: Defensive Thinking

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/21

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss defensive thinking, the tendency to excuse poor performance before it even happens. 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 c...

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60:06

Ep. 351: Injury Prehab, feat. Dr. Mike Piekarski

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/18

This week, we're joined again by “Doctor Kickass” Mike Piekarski: physiotherapist, BJJ black belt, online course creator, and instructor! In this episode, Mike discusses injury mitigation, or “prehab,” for grapplers. We explore how injuries commonly occur in Jiu-Jitsu through joint locks, scrambles, takedowns, and ego-driven decisions, and emphasize the importance of situational awareness, tapping culture, and coach-led environments that normalize safety. Follow Mike on Instagram: https://ww...

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7:02

Mini Ep. 67: Loss Aversion

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/14

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss loss aversion, the human tendency to fear losses more than we desire equivalent gains. While avoiding losses is rational, excessive fear of loss can hold us back from our biggest growth opportunities. 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 tru...

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63:54

Ep. 350: Front Headlocks, feat. Brianna Ste-Marie

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/11

In this episode, Brianna Ste-Marie talks about the front headlock: its offensive power, common pitfalls like “bloodlust,” strategic uses for control and distraction, and key differences between gi and no-gi. Follow Brianna on social: https://www.instagram.com/briannasm Mental models discussed in this episode: Myopia https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/ Trading Up https://bjjmentalmodels.com/trading-up/ Mask Your Intentions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/ Technique Chain...

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5:51

Mini Ep. 66: Abundance Mindset

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/07

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the idea of an abundance mindset, where we view success as something we can mutually achieve. The abundance mindset contrasts with a scarcity mindset, which sees success as a zero-sum game. This mini-episode explains why the abundance mindset can counterintuitively improve your Jiu-Jitsu over the long term, even though sport competition is usually zero-sum. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeint...

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57:18

Ep. 349: Overcoming Obstacles, feat. Edwin "Junny"...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/08/04

In this episode, we welcome back world champion Edwin “Junny” Ocasio for a deeply introspective conversation about the mental challenges of high-level competition. Junny shares how achieving his lifelong dream of winning a world title unexpectedly led to a period of depression and self-doubt, revealing the emotional complexity that comes with success. Follow Junny on social: https://www.instagram.com/junny_bjj https://www.tiktok.com/@junnybjj https://www.youtube.com/c/junnyocasio Train with...

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8:36

Mini Ep. 65: Process Over Outcomes

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/07/31

In this week's mini-episode we discuss process over outcomes, a mental model we've also referred to as habits over results. This concept teaches us to balance long-term goals with the short-term habits needed to achieve them. We discuss how building habits motivates us by creating consistent "wins," how quick feedback enables us to pivot early, and when "trust the process" can become bad advice. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintr...

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55:14

Ep. 348: The Timeline of Coaching, feat. Francesco Fonte

BJJ Mental Models ·

2025/07/28

In this episode, Steve Kwan welcomes back Francesco Fonte for an in-depth exploration of what Francesco calls the “timeline of coaching:” For coaches: INFO → SKILLS → GAMES For athletes: GAMES → SKILLS → INFO Francesco explains how effective Jiu-Jitsu instruction should reverse the traditional info-dump model: instead of starting with detailed techniques, coaches should design games that develop essential skills, which only later become associated with specific concepts and information. Fo...

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448 results

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