This episode features Erin Herle, a jiu-jitsu black belt and mental performance consultant, who shares insights from her book, 'If You’re Not Laughing, You’re Losing'. She discusses the PLAY framework, emphasizing the role of humor in enhancing jiu-jitsu culture and performance. Erin explores how a playful attitude helps manage stress, fosters inclusivity, and creates psychologically safe environments in training. She also contrasts positive humor with bullying, advocating for a supportive atmosphere that boosts enjoyment and personal growth in the sport.
The PLAY framework emphasizes the importance of humor in cultivating a more inviting and effective jiu-jitsu training environment.
Incorporating humor and laughter during training helps alleviate stress and fosters psychological safety among practitioners on the mats.
Recognizing and celebrating small victories helps combat learned helplessness, encouraging a growth mindset in jiu-jitsu students.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Learning in Jiu-Jitsu
There has been a significant shift in how students learn jiu-jitsu today compared to the past. Moving from traditional forms of learning to modernized methods, students now benefit from accessible resources like premium audio courses that provide valuable techniques and mindset enhancements. This evolution allows practitioners to receive personalized feedback from experienced coaches, essentially replicating seminar experiences in a more convenient format. The emphasis is on understanding concepts instead of rote memorization of techniques, enhancing the learning process.
The Role of Humor in High Performance
Humor plays a crucial role in high-performance environments, including jiu-jitsu, by creating a playful atmosphere that reduces stress and pressure. The idea that performance can be enhanced through laughter is captured in Aaron Hurley's book, which explores how humor can aid individuals in navigating competitive settings. By reframing stressful situations and incorporating humor, athletes can perform at their best while maintaining a loose and relaxed mindset. Humor not only equips individuals with coping mechanisms but also enables them to approach challenges with a lighter heart.
Addressing Seriousness in the Jiu-Jitsu Culture
The jiu-jitsu community often exhibits a seriousness that can detract from the enjoyment of the sport, sometimes leading to a lack of humor and playfulness on the mats. This mentality can create an intimidating atmosphere where laughter and lighthearted interactions are frowned upon, ultimately hindering camaraderie. By fostering a culture that appreciates humor and fun, training environments can be more inviting and conducive to learning. Encouraging laughter during drills and training can create a supportive community where practitioners feel safer and more comfortable.
Overcoming Learned Helplessness in Jiu-Jitsu
Learned helplessness can manifest in jiu-jitsu when individuals feel their efforts are futile, often due to repeated failures or criticism. This mindset impairs their ability to engage effectively on the mat, causing them to abandon techniques or underperform during training and competition. Recognizing that mistakes are a natural part of growth is essential for overcoming this barrier. Coaches can mitigate learned helplessness by celebrating small victories, emphasizing effort over outcomes, and creating an environment conducive to student learning and exploration.
The Framework for Embracing Play in Training
The play framework introduced in the discussion encourages athletes to view jiu-jitsu through a lens of humor and adaptability. It consists of four components: perspective shift, loosen up, adaptive confidence, and 'yes, and' thinking. This framework emphasizes the importance of viewing challenges from a broader perspective, easing stress through relaxation, adapting to various scenarios with confidence, and maintaining an open mindset during training. By applying this framework, practitioners can enjoy their training and open themselves up to growth and experimentation.
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.
Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!
If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.
