BJJ Mental Models
Explore the conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests discuss the mental models, or universal principles, behind the gentle art.
Episodes
336 episodes since 2019
Ep. 302: Short-Form BJJ Content, feat. Tum Energia
This week we're joined again by Tum Energia! Thomas Voorn, better known by his nickname Tum Energia, is a BJJ black belt and the founder of Energia Martial Arts. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu digital content...
September 16, 2024
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Episode 302
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56:35
Mini Ep. 19: Crank Mechanics
In this week's mini-episode we discuss crank mechanics! Cranks are submissions that attack the cervical spine (the neck). We discuss the ethics of cranks, how to engage with them safely, and their relevance to rulesets. ...
September 12, 2024
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10:51
Ep. 301: Project-Based BJJ, feat. Josh Vogel
This week we're joined by Josh Vogel! Alongside his wife Angie, Josh is a co-founder and head instructor at The Jiu Jitsu Company in Old City, Philadelphia. In this episode, Josh emphasizes the importance of structured class curricu...
September 09, 2024
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Episode 301
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59:06
Mini Ep. 18: Compression Choke Mechanics
In this week's mini-episode we discuss compression choke mechanics! Compression chokes involve squeezing your opponent's chest so tightly that their lungs can't expand to take in air. They're a bit silly and not high-percenta...
September 05, 2024
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10:00
Ep. 300: Teachers Who Compete, feat. James "300" Foster
For our 300th episode, there's only one guest that'll do: James "300" Foster! James is a 3x black belt masters world champion, 4th degree black belt under Giva Santana, and the head coach at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episo...
September 02, 2024
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Episode 300
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59:29
Mini Ep. 17: Air Choke Mechanics
In this week's mini-episode we discuss air choke mechanics! Air chokes involve cutting off your opponent's ability to breathe by either compressing their trachea ("windpipe") or covering their mouth. Air chokes often don't ac...
August 29, 2024
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10:05
Ep. 299: Student Assessment, feat. Adam Medlock
This week we're joined again by Adam Medlock! Adam is a Braulio Estima black belt and a lead educator from the UK. In this episode, Adam discusses the challenges of student assessment, or how Jiu-Jitsu coaches can measure student pr...
August 26, 2024
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Episode 299
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1:02:02
Mini Ep. 16: Blood Choke Mechanics
In this week's mini-episode we discuss blood choke mechanics! This is the concept behind all chokes we'd classify as "carotid restraints," where compression on the carotid arteries cuts off blood flow to the brain. We'll disc...
August 22, 2024
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9:11
Ep. 298: Working Around Injury, feat. Mandy Schneider
This week we're joined by Mandy Schneider! Mandy is a BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete competing at purple belt out of SOUL FIGHTERS Martial Arts in Allen, Texas. Mandy just underwent surgery for chronic bursitis in her elbow, an...
August 19, 2024
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Episode 298
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49:34
Mini Ep. 15: Dominant Angles
In this week's mini-episode we discuss dominant angles! The concept of dominant angles is more complicated than "being behind or beside your opponent." It's more about positioning your body relative to theirs such that their ...
August 15, 2024
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8:17
Ep. 297: Leaving Your Gym, feat. David Figueroa-Martinez
This week we're joined again by David Figueroa-Martinez! David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California. In this episode, David discusses one of the most difficult — but sometimes essentia...
August 12, 2024
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Episode 297
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1:03:45
Mini Ep. 14: Countergripping
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss countergripping! There are three ways to counter a grip:breaking the grip (stripping their fingers),inverting the grip (pummeling to make the grip our own),...
August 08, 2024
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7:40
Ep. 296: Adapting on the Fly, feat. Tom "TP" Grant
This week we're joined by Tom "TP" Grant! Tom Grant, also known by the writer's handle TP Grant, is a BJJ black belt under Issac Riggs and an MMA/BJJ writer best known for his work at Bloody Elbow and Bleacher Report. In this episod...
August 05, 2024
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Episode 296
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1:01:11
Mini Ep. 13: Grips Dictate Position
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss one of Steve's favorite mental models: grips dictate position! As the name implies, whoever wins the grip fight in Jiu-Jitsu often dictates the position. Focus on winning the grip fight...
August 01, 2024
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6:44
Ep. 295: Organizing Knowledge, feat. Sebastian Brosche
This week we're joined by Sebastian Brosche! Sebastian is a BJJ black belt, the founder of the legendary platform Yoga for BJJ, and also the founder of his new project, Teach Grappling. In this episode, we discuss knowledge organiza...
July 29, 2024
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Episode 295
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1:17:32
Mini Ep. 12: The Anatomic Hierarchy
In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing the anatomic hierarchy! The anatomic hierarchy is a simple but powerful mental model that organizes our body into six major tools, from strongest to weakest: our torso, our two legs, ou...
July 25, 2024
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8:53
Ep. 294: Unconventional Jiu-Jitsu Careers, feat. Kiaya Jackson
This week we're joined by Kiaya Jackson! Kiaya is the founder of SoPro Collective and a Jiu-Jitsu competitor representing Brandon Mccaghren from 10th Planet Decatur. In this episode, Kiaya explains her unconventional journey into a ...
July 22, 2024
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Episode 294
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57:00
Mini Ep. 11: Posts
In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing posts, the last of the six core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu! Posts occur when you use an extremity of your body to connect with and base off a platform like the floor. Posts are import...
July 18, 2024
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11:45
Ep. 293: The 3-Fold View of Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Charles Harriott
This week we're joined by Charles Harriott! Charles is a BJJ black belt, professional seminar instructor, and content creator. In this episode, Charles introduces a mental model he calls "the 3-fold view of Jiu-Jitsu." We disc...
July 15, 2024
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Episode 293
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1:06:07
Mini Ep. 10: Hooks
In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing hooks, the main mechanic behind techniques like butterfly guard. Hooks are a tracking mechanic used to follow your opponent and create opportunities to off-balance them. This is t...
July 11, 2024
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7:25
Ep. 292: The Paradox of Control, feat. Jesse Walker
This week we're joined by Jesse Walker! Jesse is a black belt under Chris Haueter and is the head coach at Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky. In this episode, Jesse introduces the paradox of control: a concept teaching us that...
July 08, 2024
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Episode 292
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1:00:32
Mini Ep. 9: Clamps
In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing clamps, the mechanic where you use your limbs to create a closed circuit around your opponent's body. Think closed guard or seatbelt. This is the fourth in a six-part series ...
July 04, 2024
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7:22
Ep. 291: Difficult Coaching Conversations, feat. Ben Van Doren
This week we're joined by Ben Van Doren! Ben is a Lucas Lepri black belt and the head instructor at Deep Blue Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Caledonia, Michigan. In this episode, Ben draws on his experience as a manager and BJJ gym owner to...
July 01, 2024
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Episode 291
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1:06:24
Mini Ep. 8: Wedges
In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing wedges, and we don't mean pizza! We break down the two types of wedges in Jiu-Jitsu: blocking wedges (used for immobilizing your opponent) and prying wedges (used for brea...
June 27, 2024
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7:55
Ep. 290: Gym Culture and Dogma, feat. Jeff Serafin
This week we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff is the head instructor at Serafin BJJ, a partner at Gym 1801, and a black belt under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias. In this episode, Jeff advocates for fostering a healthy gym culture an...
June 24, 2024
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Episode 290
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1:10:25