BJJ Mental Models

Jan 20 2025 373 ep. 59 mins 1.6k
BJJ Mental Models Podcast artwork

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  Health & Fitness
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Ep. 320: The Language of Injury, feat. Scott Fritzinger

Jan 20 2025 52 mins  
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 of words and delivery can change student behavior and influence the risk of injury in the gym.Follow Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu Academy Reno on Instagram:https

Mini Ep. 37: Rotational Control

Jan 16 2025 9 mins  
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, or allowing them to rotate so you can follow and improve your position. Achieving rotational control usually requires you to occupy their elbow-knee space alon

Ep. 319: 4 Pillars of Successful Gyms, feat. Eliot Marshall

Jan 13 2025 75 mins  
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 needs to nail: sales, marketing, product, and culture. Follow Eliot on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/firemarshall205Train at Easton Training Center in

Mini Ep. 36: Waypoints

Jan 09 2025 7 mins  
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 skill within the position. Waypoints aren't necessarily the common point-scoring positions, but can instead be "positions within positions" that occur along

Ep. 318: Still Not Nice, feat. Beatrice Jin

Jan 06 2025 54 mins  
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 being nice" when sparring. Topics include the essential concepts of assertiveness and aggressiveness in BJJ, the cultural influences that shape one’s app

Mini Ep. 35: Tokui Waza

Jan 02 2025 6 mins  
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 and leverage a few techniques they're especially good at. Tokui waza is important to understand because it helps us break the misconception that the best

Ep. 317: Takedown Safety, feat. Max Schneider

Dec 30 2024 55 mins  
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 the philosophy and techniques behind safe and effective takedown training. Topics include the importance of warmup and falling techniques, various

Mini Ep. 34: Zone of Genius

Dec 26 2024 8 mins  
In this week's mini-episode we explain the so-called "zone of genius:" a concept that encourages us to spend our time in the areas where we're most passionate and talented. This has implications for Jiu-Jitsu strategy: We should build a gameplan that takes the fight to places where we are the most exceptional. In terms of our skill development, this means we're best off doubling do

Ep. 316: Content Overload, feat. Jake Luigi

Dec 23 2024 56 mins  
This week we're joined again by Jake Luigi from Less Impressed More Involved and Outlier DB! In this episode, Jake discusses a problem we can all relate to: content overload in BJJ. Jake shares great advice on choosing what to study in a world where quality Jiu-Jitsu content is plentiful but time is scarce.Follow Jake on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/limibjj/Subscribe to Less

Mini Ep. 33: Layers of Strategy

Dec 19 2024 11 mins  
In this week's mini-episode we explain the layers of strategy: every good plan needs a solid foundation and a flexible perimeter. This concept applies to all manner of strategies, both on and off the mats.Before you listen to this episode, check out:Mini Ep. 32: Funnelinghttps://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/16266002-mini-ep-32-funnelingMini Ep. 31: Asymmetric Warfare