BJJ Mental Models

Mar 06 2025 387 ep. 58 mins 1.7k

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.

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Mini Ep. 44: Effortful Retrieval

Mar 06 2025 8 mins

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 that forces our brains to work. For more information on effortful retrieval, check out: BJJMM Ep. 287: Automatic Grappling, feat. Cal McDonald https

Ep. 326: Dropping In, feat. Rob Biernacki

Mar 03 2025 80 mins

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 training, addressing issues with aggressive partners, the mindset needed to ensure a positive experience, and Island Top Team's visiting student program.

Mini Ep. 43: Interleaving

Feb 27 2025 7 mins

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 would train ABC ABC ABC. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to check out BJJ Ment

Ep. 325: Economy of Motion, feat. Mike Mahaffey

Feb 24 2025 56 mins

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 less movement. We unpack why this mental model is important, and how more athletic grapplers can violate this concept in favor of a movement-based game.

Mini Ep. 42: Body Tethering

Feb 20 2025 7 mins

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 still have alignment they can pick you up, stack you, or slam you, which are especially dangerous if you're smaller. Don't be a tetherball! Get our Intro to M

Ep. 324: Breaking Social Contracts, feat. Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth

Feb 17 2025 66 mins

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 by, which often aren't actually rules. Social contracts can become invisible mental scripts and self-limiting habits that hold us back from our best per

Mini Ep. 41: Redundancies

Feb 13 2025 10 mins

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 by having a solid "plan B." Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to check out

Ep. 323: Collaborative Camps, feat. Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth & Jesse Walker

Feb 10 2025 56 mins

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 practices for running a collaborative camp and breaking from the traditional "one-man show" seminar structure. Follow Josh on Instagram: https://

Mini Ep. 40: Placeholders

Feb 06 2025 7 mins

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 you've got something equivalent or better. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to ch

Ep. 322: Technique Zero, feat. Marc Ste-Marie

Feb 03 2025 54 mins

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 quicker by reverse engineering and mastering the point of entry. Follow Marc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwiksub2021 Subscribe to Marc's YouTube