x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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.

sports wrestling

All Episodes

6:40

Mini Ep. 102: Constant and Variable Tension

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/16

In this mini-episode, we explain constant and variable tension, and the pros and cons of each in jiu-jitsu. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter...

en-us

56:01

Ep. 386: Don't Make Them Feel Stupid, feat. Heather...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/13

This week, we're joined by Heather Morgan! Heather is a jiu-jitsu black belt, competitor-turned-coach, and content creator based in San Diego who teaches in person at the Collective in Ocean Beach and online to students worldwide. In this episode, Heather shares how she coaches students to find their own game rather than copying hers, and why making people feel capable is the real job of a teacher. Topics include: developing individual jiu-jitsu style, psychological safety in the training roo...

en-us

7:40

Mini Ep. 101: Open Knowledge

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/09

In this mini-episode, we explain the concept of open knowledge and when information should be kept secret, charged for, or shared freely. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? Get...

en-us

59:08

Ep. 385: Jiu-Jitsu "Third Places," feat. Justin Relph

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/06

This week, we're joined by Justin Relph! Justin is a self-described die-hard hobbyist, event marketer, and the black belt coach behind Jiu Jitsu Invermere, a not-for-profit gym in the mountains of British Columbia. In this episode, Justin shares his experience building community through jiu-jitsu in a small resort town, and we revisit the concept of third places: the social spaces beyond home and work that so many of us are missing. Topics include: the decline of third places in modern life, ...

en-us

7:37

Mini Ep. 100: The Golden Rule

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/02

In our 100th mini-episode, we explain the golden rule, also known as the ethic of reciprocity or the "do unto others" principle. In our opinion, despite not being explicitly about grappling, the golden rule is the most important mental model for jiu-jitsu. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast netw...

en-us

38:21

Ep. 384: Secret Gracie History, feat. Jeff Shaw

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/04/01

This week, we're joined by Jeff Shaw! Jeff is a black belt, head coach at Bellingham BJJ, and a history professor with peer-reviewed publications on jiu-jitsu history. In this episode, Jeff shares his findings on one of the most obscure and underappreciated figures in jiu-jitsu history: Rorden Gracie. Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jeffshawbjj Train with Jeff at Bellingham BJJ in Washington: https://bellinghambjj.com ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world'...

en-us

61:27

Ep. 383: The Way of Excellence in BJJ, feat. Brad...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/30

This week, we're joined by Brad Stulberg! Brad is the author of multiple bestsellers including The Way of Excellence and Peak Performance. In this episode, Brad shares his findings from a decade of researching excellence: what it actually is, why we chase it, and what separates real pursuit from the performative version flooding our feeds. Topics include: the three Cs of excellence (caring, curiosity, consistency), self-handicapping, reframing nerves as excitement, why plateaus are a feature ...

en-us

10:02

Mini Ep. 99: Elbow-Knee Connection

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/26

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the elbow-knee connection: a defensive (and also offensive) concept where we shrink the gap between our elbow and knee. Closing this space makes guard passing and retention easier by denying our opponent access to our hips, arms, and legs. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete p...

en-us

59:59

Ep. 382: Simple Beats Fancy, feat. Tum Energia

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/23

This week, we're joined again by Tum Energia! In this episode, we explain the real challenge facing grapplers today: not finding good technique, but filtering through way too much of it. Tum breaks down how concepts and mechanical cues beat memorizing techniques, and why simple games like "dirty feet" build better jiu-jitsu than drilling the latest viral submission. Follow Tum on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tumenergia Subscribe to Energia Martial Arts on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@E...

en-us

7:09

Mini Ep. 98: Shuhari

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/19

In this week's mini-episode, we explain shuhari: a Japanese concept from the traditional martial arts explaining the three stages of mastery. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? ...

en-us

65:27

Ep. 381: What's My Game Again? feat. Josh "Kintanon"...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/16

This week, we're joined again by fan favorite Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth! Josh explains one of the most overlooked concepts in jiu-jitsu: having a "game." Drawing inspiration from the Mendes brothers, Josh explains why a repeatable, deliberate path from standing to finish beats reactive rolling every time. Topics include: decision-making loops, why "taking what they give you" is a trap, and how to actually build a game plan that works under pressure. Follow Josh on Instagram: https://instagra...

en-us

4:32

Mini Ep. 97: Double Tap

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/12

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the double tap: a deceptive way to trick your opponent into lowering their defenses. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? Get the legendary BJJ...

en-us

61:51

Ep. 380: Women Grow Gyms, feat. Livia Giles

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/09

This week, we're joined again by Livia Giles! In this episode, Livia explains why growing your gym's female membership isn't just the right thing to do, it's smart business. Livia shares what actually moves the needle on women's participation, the culture shifts that make women feel welcome, why intimidation kills retention before it starts, and how gym owners can practically double their potential clientele by taking women seriously. Follow Livia on Instagram: https://instagram.com/livia_gi...

en-us

8:14

Mini Ep. 96: Direct and Proxy Control

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/05

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the relationship between direct control and proxy control. Direct control means a dominant grip through immediate contact; proxy control means using something else (like the gi). Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first w...

en-us

48:50

Ep. 379: Position Series: The 90/90, feat. Rob Biernacki

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/03/02

This week, Rob Biernacki is back! In this episode, Rob explains the 90/90: a yoga-style "pigeon pose" position ideal for defending leglocks and getting to the running man escape (AKA the "Captain Morgan"). Follow Rob on Instagram: https://instagram.com/islandtopteam Train with Rob at Island Top Team in Nanaimo, BC: https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteambjj https://islandtopteam.com Learn online with Rob at BJJ Concepts: https://bjjconcepts.net Mental models discussed in this episode: 3 ...

en-us

6:51

Mini Ep. 95: Impostor Syndrome

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/02/26

In this week's mini-episode, we tackle impostor syndrome: the common (but false) belief that you are unworthy of your rank or accomplishments. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Need more BJJ Mental Models? Get...

en-us

56:42

Ep. 378: Repetition and Representation, feat. Cal Jones

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/02/23

This week, we're joined by Cal Jones! A 32-year grappling veteran with a master's in advanced coaching practice, Cal is one of the most recognized voices in the constraints-led approach (CLA) space. In this episode, Cal breaks down why the quality of your reps matters more than the quantity and how to design training that actually transfers to competition. Topics include: repetition and representation, the PVCT model (a framework for layering increasingly representative training tasks), perce...

en-us

4:04

Mini Ep. 94: Kinetic Chains

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/02/19

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss kinetic chains: a concept from mechanical engineering and physiology that explains how movement in our joints affects the other joints in that limb. Kinetic chains are open when the hand/foot is unconnected, or closed when connected to a surface. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium! The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio ...

en-us

62:24

Ep. 377: Presence & Anticipation, feat. Margot...

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/02/16

This week, we're joined again by Margot Ciccarelli! In this episode, Margot shares mindset advice on staying present and escaping the mental trap of "anticipating" negative outcomes. Margot covers important mental reframing topics like fear, hesitation, our internal dialogue, intentional exposure, pattern interrupts, and rhythm changes. Follow Margot on Instagram: https://instagram.com/margotciccarelli Margot's mindset coach, Dr. Frazer Atkinson @ Kaizen: https://kaizenmp.com Resources di...

en-us

75:31

BONUS: The Economics of Jiu-Jitsu Gyms in 2026, feat....

BJJ Mental Models ·

2026/02/13

In this bonus episode for BJJ business owners, we're joined again by David Bayarena! David is a BJJ black belt, a longtime BJJMM community member, and the founder of RONIN: a financial planning & training firm specialized in working with Jiu-Jitsu gyms. This conversation focuses on how BJJ gym owners can survive economic volatility and build real wealth, not just create a job for themselves. Topics include: cash flow discipline, break-even analysis, liquidity reserves, entity structure (...

en-us

508 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN