This week we're joined by Paul Kindzia, a BJJ black belt under Emily Kwok training out of Atlanta, Georgia. Most notably, he's a "homeschooled" black belt who carved out his own path in the art. Paul now trains out of a private gym, "The Bunker...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain beginner's mind! Known in Zen Buddhism as shoshin (初心), beginner's mind is a concept present in belief systems, philosophies, psychology, and martial arts. It teaches us to approach every ...

This week we're joined by Dr. Michael Israetel! Mike is a PhD in sport physiology and newly minted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Josh Vogel. In this episode, Mike teaches the intricacies of training intensity in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain spaced repetition! This concept helps us set a dynamic schedule for how frequently we should review old material to maximize our ability to recall information.Get our Intro to Mechanic...

In this episode, legendary Jiu-Jitsu instructor Stephan Kesting joins us to discuss the concept of perseverance. It's both a critical mental model for success in martial arts, and also the title of his new Amazon best-selling book, Perseverance...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain effortful retrieval!  It's a concept from cognitive psychology proposing we can improve our ability to recall information — a critical skill during live rolling — by creating a recall practice...

This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki!  Rob shares advice for getting the most out of BJJ gym drop-ins, seminars, and camps.  Topics include the importance of prior communication before attending, safety and etiquette during t...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain interleaving!  It's a concept proposing we learn faster by cycling through several topics rather than focusing on a single one at a time.  For example, instead of training AAA BBB CCC, we...

This week we're joined again by Mike Mahaffey!  Best known as the "Old Bastard BJJ" guy, Mike joins us to discuss economy of motion in Jiu-Jitsu.  We define economy of motion as: All else being equal, prefer the option that requires l...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain body tethering!  When you clamp onto your opponent as you would via closed guard or a triangle choke, make sure that YOU control THEIR body's alignment, not the other way around.  If they...

This week we're joined again by Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth from Apex MMA in Covington, Georgia!  In this episode, Josh discusses "social contracts" in Jiu-Jitsu and how to break them.  Social contracts are the unwritten rules we abide ...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the concept of redundancies, or how to ensure you have backup options if your plan fails.  There are two ways to create redundancies in your technique: by using multiple points of control, and...

This week we're joined by a panel: Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth from Apex MMA and Jesse Walker from Rough Hands BJJ!  In this episode, Josh and Jesse recap lessons learned from our most recent BJJ Mental Models camp in Georgia, and share best...

In this week's mini-episode, we explain the concept of placeholders.  Think of positional advancement like climbing a ladder: one rung at a time, and never let go of both rungs at once!  Don't abandon a point of control until y...

This week we're joined by Marc Ste-Marie!  Marc is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the father of IBJJF "Queen" Brianna Ste-Marie.  In this episode, Marc explains the concept of "technique zero," or how we can teach Jiu-Jitsu quic...

In this week's mini-episode we explain the concept of surface area, or how much of your body is connected to your opponent when you apply force.  You can create more pressure by applying maximal force through the smallest surface ar...

This week we're joined again by BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris breaks down the mechanics and meta relevance of his new signature move, the Woj Lock.Follow Chris on Instagram:

In this week's mini-episode we explain ratchet control, a mental model that fine-tunes rotational submissions, especially the kimura.  Ratchet control occurs when you force their limb into an "L" shape and rotate it like an Allen/he...

This week we're joined by Scott Fritzinger!  Scott is a BJJ black belt under Dave Camarillo and is the head instructor at Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno.  In this episode, Scott discusses "the language of injury," or how our choice ...

In this week's mini-episode we explain rotational control, a mental model that helps us better secure positions and complete submissions.  Rotational control involves either preventing your opponent from rotating their torso,...

This week we're joined again by Eliot Marshall!  Eliot is a BJJ black belt, retired UFC fighter, and owner of Easton Training Center in Colorado.  In this episode, Eliot explains the 4 elements that every successful Jiu-Jitsu gym need...

In this week's mini-episode we explain waypoints, also known as "pitstops."  Waypoints are positions of power where you are particularly well-trained, and feel comfortable that you can outgun your opponent due to experience and skil...

This week we're joined again by Beatrice Jin!  Beatrice is a black belt competitor and coach from Kogaion Academy in Arlington, Virginia.  In this episode, we continue our conversation from Beatrice's last visit about how to "stop bei...

In this week's mini-episode we explain tokui waza, a concept from Judo and traditional martial arts.  Translating roughly to "favorited technique" or "special skill," tokui waza refers to the tendency of martial artists to develop a...

This week we're joined by Max Schneider!  Max is a BJJ black belt under Justin Flores, as well as a national Judo champion and Olympic alternate, 2x Illinois state wrestling champion, and former D1 wrestler. In this episode, Max explores t...