

BJJ Mental Models
Steve Kwan
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
Mentioned books

Apr 3, 2023 • 1h 3min
Ep. 226: Postmodern Leglocks, feat. Rob Biernacki & Stephan Kesting
This week we're joined again by two fan favorites, Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting! In this episode, Rob and Stephan discuss the evolving landscape of the leglock game and how things have changed in the past few years.Get Rob & Stephan's new instructional, Cutting Edge Leglocks:https://www.grapplearts.com/cutting-edge-leglocks/Follow Rob on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam/Follow Stephan on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting/Check out the Grapplearts site and app:https://grapplearts.com/Mental models discussed in this episode:Asymmetric Warfarehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/Double Troublehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/Inversionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/Position Over Submissionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/3 Joint Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/Single vs. Double Lever Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

Apr 1, 2023 • 16min
Ep. 225: Selling Manliness, feat. Rob Biernacki
In this special episode, we're joined again by fan-favorite Rob Biernacki to announce his exciting new course. Follow Rob on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 2min
Ep. 224: Waypoints and J-Points, feat. Matt Kwan
This week we're joined again by Brother Matt! We have a great chat on mental models and strategies regarding waypoints, j-points, and positional camping.Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! by Matt Kwan:https://amzn.to/3Z7kR6eOn Guard BJJ Online Academy:https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academyResources mentioned in this episode:Less Impressed More Involved — YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJLess Impressed More Half Guard Passinghttps://limibjj.mykajabi.com/Jozef Chen on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jozefchenjj/Mental models discussed in this episode:Waypointshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/waypoints/Head Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position/Position Over Submissionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/Probabilistic Thinkinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/Staying Loosehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 10min
Ep. 223: Maximizing Student Success, feat. Thomas Rozdzynski
This week we're joined by Thomas Rozdzynski! Thomas is the Head Instructor at RŌL Academy in Illinois, and is the host of the RŌL Radio podcast. In this episode, Thomas draws on his experience as a coach to teach how other coaches can maximize the success of their students.Follow Thomas on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rozdzynskibjj/Listen to Thomas on the RŌL Radio podcast: https://www.therolradio.com/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

Mar 13, 2023 • 1h 1min
Ep. 222: Compression Locks, feat. Eli Knight
This week we're joined by Eli Knight! Eli is a black belt under Royce Gracie and is a prolific online BJJ instructor. In this episode, Eli breaks down concepts behind an underloved aspect of Jiu-Jitsu: compression locks.Follow Eli on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/knight_jiu_jitsu_/Subscribe to Eli on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/KnightJiuJitsuGet Eli's Compression Locks instructional on BJJ Fanatics:https://bjjfanatics.com/products/crushing-compression-locks-by-eli-knightSupport Eli on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/knightjiujitsuGet Eli's instructionals on Jiu Jitsu X:https://jiujitsux.com/profile/eliknight173gmail-com/Get Eli's content on Budo Brothers:https://budobrothers.tv/categories/eli-knightMental models discussed in this episode:Breaking Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/breaking-mechanics/Do What Workshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/Asymmetric Warfarehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/Choking Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/choking-mechanics/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Mask Your Intentionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

16 snips
Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 1min
Ep. 221: Getting Better Faster, feat. Jozef Chen
This week we're joined by Jozef Chen! Jozef is a member of the B Team and has been a BJJ Mental Models community member since the early days. Jozef is also known for how rapidly he developed his skillset as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete. In this episode, Jozef shares his method, with some great insights into Josh Waitzkin's work, growth versus performance, innovators versus honers, competitive esports, and other cool avenues you might not have considered in your learning journey.Follow Jozef on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jozefchenjj/Resources discussed in this episode:The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkinhttps://amzn.to/3XilAkqThe Will to Keep Winning, by Daigo "The Beast" Umeharahttps://amzn.to/41zTDYqThe Two Types of Gamers (Honers vs. Innovators) — Core-A Gaminghttps://youtu.be/C3q5nSqGXr4Mental models discussed in this episode:Form to Leave Formhttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/Making Smaller Circleshttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles/Shuharihttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/Investing in Losshttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Path of Least Resistancehttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/Plus, Minus, Equalshttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/Transfer of Learninghttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning/Beginner's Mindhttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Growth Mindsethttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Train With Purposehttp://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

Mar 4, 2023 • 57min
SPECIAL: Gym Rats and Giving Back 2.0, feat. Andrew Wiltse
In this special bonus episode, Andrew Wiltse from Daisy Fresh and Wiltse Bros BJJ joins us for a raw and transparent conversation about mental health, the future of Jiu-Jitsu, and how we can best support our athletes.Wiltse Bros. on BJJ Fanatics:https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_andrew-wiltseWiltse Bros. on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/WiltseBrothersBJJWiltse Bros. on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WiltseBrothersBJJ/Resource mentioned in this episode:How to Win, by Rafael Lovato Jr.https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com/how-to-winDon'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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

6 snips
Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 5min
Ep. 220: Note-Taking for Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Rachel Ranschau
This week we're joined by Rachel Ranschau! Rachel is a black belt under André Galvão and an avid Jiu-Jitsu note-taker. In this episode, Rachel shares her approach to note-taking, and explains how it accelerates information retention and skill development.Follow Rachel on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rachelranschau/Check out Rachel's Jiu Jitsu X instructional, Systematically Starting Sleeves:https://bit.ly/3Z6nwgAMental models discussed in this episode:Effortful Retrievalhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval/Train With Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/Extreme Ownershiphttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/Feedback Loophttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/Intentionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/Naming Conceptshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/naming-concepts/Spaced Repetitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/spaced-repetition/Ulysses Contractshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/ulysses-contracts/Learning Modalitieshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities/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.Sign up here for a free trial:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

15 snips
Feb 20, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 219: Think Like an Analyst, feat. Jake Luigi
Jake Luigi, creator of Less Impressed More Involved YouTube channel, discusses his analytical approach to BJJ content creation. Topics include tape study, mastering key techniques, and navigating content overload. A must-listen for those interested in skill development over winning mindset.

Feb 13, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 218: Overcoming Competition Anxiety, feat. Amanda Bruse
In this engaging conversation, newly promoted black belt Amanda Bruse shares her journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and insights into overcoming competition anxiety. She discusses personal strategies for transforming fear into excitement and the benefits of mental preparation. Amanda highlights the role of structured routines and pre-competition playlists as performance triggers, emphasizing the power of 'acting as if' to foster confidence. Listeners will love her practical tips on breath control and mindfulness to enhance emotional regulation in competitive settings.