1-800-BJJ-HELP #171 Tammi Willis: Coaching CLA, Intentional Training and Focus
Jan 25, 2026
Tammi Willis, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach who trained across Southeast Asia and the UK. She talks about discovering and translating CLA/ecological approaches for students. She shares how she designs and tests intentional games, balances language and simplicity, and uses Sherpa journaling to set and maintain focused training intentions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Long Journey To Black Belt
- Tammi trained abroad for years and earned her black belt from Lee Remedios last September.
- She credits CLA learning for accelerating her understanding and execution in jiu-jitsu.
Prior Frustration Made CLA Click
- Tammi discovered ecological dynamics through the BJJ Mental Models podcast and it clicked because she already believed there was a better way to teach.
- That prior skepticism about rote drilling primed her to adopt CLA and experiment with it.
Watch From One Vantage, Avoid Mid-Game Coaching
- Avoid walking between pairs and coaching during live games; stay back and observe the whole room from one vantage point.
- Give feedback broadly for the room, not micro-coaching to one pair mid-game.