
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.
Episodes
411 episodes
Ep. 339: Developing Youth Programs, feat. Brennan Strimple
This week we're joined by Brennan Strimple! Brennan is the black belt head coach at RPMA (Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts). In this episode, Brennan shares his playbook for building a thriving kids' Jiu-Jitsu program, as well as leading the deve...
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Episode 339
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51:20

Mini Ep. 55: Staying Loose
In this week's mini-episode we discuss the importance of staying loose when sparring. Being relaxed makes it easier to conserve energy, avoid being controlled, and conceal your intentions. There are times to be tense, such as when comple...
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5:22

Ep. 338: Gaze Tracking, feat. Timothy Lee Peterson
This week we're joined by Timothy Lee Peterson! In this episode, Timothy explains why gaze tracking — or where your eyes are looking — is a surprisingly important aspect of Jiu-Jitsu.Follow Timothy on social media:
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Episode 338
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1:00:39

Mini Ep. 54: Controlling the Distance
In this week's mini-episode we discuss controlling the distance, a key lesson in most martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As general advice, many instructors will coach you to close the distance when attacking and make spa...
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9:08

Ep. 337: Gatekeepers Ruin Everything, feat. Charles Harriott
This week we're joined again by Charles Harriott! In this episode, Charles discusses the problem of "gatekeepers" in Jiu-Jitsu, or people who try to enforce their way of thinking over others. Charles explores how gatekeeping can shut down...
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Episode 337
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1:20:55

Mini Ep. 53: Kuzushi
In this week's mini-episode we discuss kuzushi, the Japanese concept of breaking balance! Kuzushi is critical in Judo, but it's just as important in Jiu-Jitsu — both standing and on the ground. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio co...
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6:28

Ep. 336: Growing Your Academy, feat. Hillary Witt & Nelson Puentes
This week we're joined by the founders of Inverted Gear: Hillary Witt and Nelson Puentes! Three years ago, Hillary and Nelson took the Inverted Gear brand beyond Jiu-Jitsu equipment and opened a physical academy in Pennsylvania! In this episode...
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Episode 336
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1:03:26

Mini Ep. 52: Shifting Platforms
In this week's mini-episode we discuss shifting platforms, wherein you as the bottom player use continuous movement to prevent your opponent from fully establishing their base on top of you. Moving away from big, explosive escape attempt...
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10:45

Ep. 335: The PLAY Framework, feat. Erin Herle
This week we're joined again by Erin Herle! In this episode, Erin introduces the PLAY framework and explains why humor is a fundamental element of good culture and learning.Follow Erin on Instagram:
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Episode 335
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1:03:33

Mini Ep. 51: Technique Chaining
In this week's mini-episode we explain the importance of technique chaining, and why "Jiu-Jitsu is the space between the techniques."Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
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10:28

Ep. 334: Project-Based Gameplanning, feat. Josh Vogel & Dr. Mike Israetel
This week we're joined by two BJJMM alumni: Josh Vogel and Dr. Mike Israetel! In this episode, Josh and Mike discuss the unique way they build gameplans at The Jiu-Jitsu Company.Follow Josh and Mike on Instagram:
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Episode 334
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57:28

Mini Ep. 50: Phases of Passing
In this week's mini-episode we explain the phases of passing: disentangle, control, pass.Resources mentioned in this episode:Mini Ep. 49: Phases of Guard
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9:19

Ep. 333: Coaching for All Levels, feat. Nick Volpe
This week we're joined by Nick Volpe! Nick is the black belt head coach at Dark Bear Jiu-Jitsu in Staten Island, New York. In this episode, Nick explains how he makes Jiu-Jitsu coaching accessible to students and coaches of all experience level...
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Episode 333
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1:03:32

Mini Ep. 49: Phases of Guard
In this week's mini-episode we explain the phases of guard, as taught by Rob Biernacki: engagement, maintenance, and retention.Resources mentioned in this episode:BJJMM Ep. 16: Guard Series: Engagement Phase
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11:50

Ep. 332: Half Guard Passing, feat. Mo Black
This week we're joined by Mo Black! As of this writing, Mo is a reigning champion at Main Character Jiu-Jitsu and an instructor at Tabula Rasa BJJ in Colorado Springs. In this episode, Mo shares key concepts behind one of her favorite Jiu-Jitsu...
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Episode 332
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59:18

Mini Ep. 48: Kaizen
In this week's mini-episode we explain kaizen, a Japanese concept translating roughly to "continuous improvement."Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:htt...
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6:14

Ep. 331: The Problem With Lapel Guard, feat. Stephan Kesting
In this bonus emergency episode, we're joined by legendary Jiu-Jitsu instructor Stephan Kesting to discuss the immediate dangers of the lapel guard position, why it is so harmful, and why the IBJJF must ban it immediately.Don'...
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Episode 331
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34:36

Ep. 330: The Student's Guide to Eco, feat. Noah Shaffner & Greg Souders
This week we're joined by Noah Shaffner and Greg Souders from Standard Jiu-Jitsu in Maryland! Noah shares his unique perspective as a competitor trained exclusively under the constraints-led approach (CLA) since he began grappling in 2021, whil...
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Episode 330
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1:08:31

Mini Ep. 47: Investing in Loss
In this week's mini-episode we explain investing in loss, a learning mindset often attributed to Tai Chi and other internal martial arts. In his excellent book The Art of Learning, Josh Waitzkin discusses the concept and its relevance to...
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6:53

Ep. 329: Rolling From Home, feat. Paul Kindzia
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...
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Episode 329
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1:04:25

Mini Ep. 46: Beginner's Mind
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 ...
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7:31

Ep. 328: Training Intensity, feat. Dr. Mike Israetel
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...
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Episode 328
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1:34:44

Mini Ep. 45: Spaced Repetition
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 Mechanics aud...
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10:24

Ep. 327: Perseverance, feat. Stephan Kesting
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...
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Episode 327
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56:44
