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
512 episodes
Mini Ep. 104: Head Position
In this mini-episode, we discuss head position, or how to tell if your head and neck are at risk in jiu-jitsu. We use a 3-point framework to determine if our head is safe:Avoid constriction (be safe from squeezing),
Ep. 388: Injury and the Stockdale Paradox, feat. Alex Sterner
This week, we're joined by Alex Sterner! Alex is a black belt and the owner of Electrum Performance in San Diego, where he coaches strength and conditioning for jiu-jitsu and combat sports athletes. In this episode, Alex breaks down the psychol...
Mini Ep. 103: Cracking the Whip
In this mini-episode, we discuss "cracking the whip:" an external cue for better understanding the relationship between tension and slack in jiu-jitsu.Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
Ep. 387: Trips & Foot Sweeps, feat. Isa Friedlander & Chris Round
This week, we've got a panel! Chris Round is the head judo instructor at High Noon in Alexandria, Virginia, and a judo and BJJ black belt who coaches athletes on the IJF tour. Isa Friedlander is a former Team USA judoka, a brown belt at Unity, ...
Mini Ep. 102: Constant and Variable Tension
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...
Ep. 386: Don't Make Them Feel Stupid, feat. Heather Morgan
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 episo...
Mini Ep. 101: Open Knowledge
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:
Ep. 385: Jiu-Jitsu "Third Places," feat. Justin Relph
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 share...
Mini Ep. 100: The Golden Rule
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 m...
Ep. 384: Secret Gracie History, feat. Jeff Shaw
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 und...
Ep. 383: The Way of Excellence in BJJ, feat. Brad Stulberg
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...
Mini Ep. 99: Elbow-Knee Connection
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 op...
Ep. 382: Simple Beats Fancy, feat. Tum Energia
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 mem...
Mini Ep. 98: Shuhari
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:
Ep. 381: What's My Game Again? feat. Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth
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 p...
Mini Ep. 97: Double Tap
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:
Ep. 380: Women Grow Gyms, feat. Livia Giles
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, ...
Mini Ep. 96: Direct and Proxy Control
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 th...
Ep. 379: Position Series: The 90/90, feat. Rob Biernacki
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:
Mini Ep. 95: Impostor Syndrome
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:
Ep. 378: Repetition and Representation, feat. Cal Jones
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 qual...
Mini Ep. 94: Kinetic Chains
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 han...
Ep. 377: Presence & Anticipation, feat. Margot Ciccarelli
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, he...
BONUS: The Economics of Jiu-Jitsu Gyms in 2026, feat. David Bayarena
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 Ji...
