BJJ Mental Models

This week, we're joined by Erin Herle!  Erin is a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, an elite competitor, and the founder of #submitthestigma, a mental health awareness organization for grapplers. Learn more about #submitthestigma here:https://www.submitthestigma.org/This episode references the book Mindset, by Carol Dweck:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322Mental models discussed in this episode:Mindfulnesshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Incremental Learninghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Habits Over Resultshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Table Selectionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/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/premium/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, Steve and Matt do a super detailed breakdown of wedges: a core mechanic of Jiu-Jitsu that's critical to offense.  Frames and wedges have a lot in common, but frames are primarily used for defense, whereas wedges are primarily used for offense.  If you liked our prior conversation on frames, you'll love this one on wedges.Mental models discussed in this episode:Core Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Kinetic Chainshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/Double Troublehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/Choking Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/choking-mechanics/Breaking Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/breaking-mechanics/Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/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/premium/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Follow us on social:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Newly minted black belt Margot Ciccarelli discusses her philosophy of movement vocabulary in Jiu-Jitsu. She argues that movement is a form of communication and explores the vocabulary used in BJJ. Topics include controlling breathing, staying loose, and the fusion of house dance and Jiu Jitsu.

This week, we're joined by one of our most often requested guests: Sonny Brown!  Sonny, also known as "that other BJJ podcast guy," is working on a kesa gatame instructional.  He joins us to share core concepts on this underutilized position.We debunk common kesa gatame misconceptions:"They'll just take my back""They'll just bridge me over""They'll just push my head into an armbar or crucifix""Kesa gatame is only for big guys""Once you get into kesa gatame, you’re stuck there."Critical control points for kesa gatame:Keep your legs at a 90° angle to block the bridgeKeep their near-side elbow off the matBring your opponent's chin to your chest.Don’t lean your head over to their far side.Mental models discussed in this episode:Do What Workshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Theory of Alignmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/Surface Areahttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/Shifting Platformshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/Critical Control Pointshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/Center of Gravityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

We've got a bonus episode for you this week!  Rob Biernacki joins us to introduce arm drag concepts from his new instructional.Learn about Rob Biernacki's arm drag concepts here:Rob Biernacki: The BJJ 2 on 1 Grip, with Advanced Detailshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-9tV6kU018The Arm Drag and 2 on 1 Formula, with Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kestinghttps://www.grapplearts.com/the-arm-drag-and-2-on-1-formula/BJJ Conceptshttps://bjjconcepts.netMental models discussed in this episode:Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Leading Edgeshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/leading-edges/Ratchet Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/ratchet-control/Opening Salvoshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/Probabilistic Thinkinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/Crossing the Centerhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/crossing-the-center/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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, we're joined by Christian Graugart.  Christian is the founder of BJJ Globetrotters, Beltchecker.com, and TeachingBJJ.com.  In this episode, we break down Christian's five-part framework for creating: failure, brains, skills, ideas, and karma.Christian's creations:“Create Something” workshop with Christian Graugarthttps://youtu.be/gqtTRF5Fu98BJJ Globetrottershttps://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/Belt Checkerhttps://www.beltchecker.com/Teaching BJJhttps://www.teachingbjj.com/Mental models discussed in this episode:80/20 Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/80-20-rule/Teach to Learnhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/Extreme Ownershiphttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/Respect People, Not Positionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/The Golden Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/Permission Paradoxhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/permission-paradox/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Feedback Loophttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/Placeholdershttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/placeholders/Idea Communismhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/Levels of Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/levels-of-competition/Transfer of Learninghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, we're joined by Adam Medlock.  Adam is the lead autism educator for a special school in the UK.  He has worked with children and young adults with autism for most of his professional life.Adam joins us to educate the grappling community on autism.  He provides a framework for understanding the autism spectrum and making BJJ more inclusive to autistic students.Topics discussed include:How autism and the spectrum are definedHow BJJ may be beneficial to autistic peopleWhere autistic people may struggle with BJJHow we inadvertently alienate autistic peopleHow the instructor can help autistic studentsHow to help your autistic training partnersHow to make your gym more accessible.Mental models discussed in this episode:Keep it Playfulhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/The Golden Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/Cognitive Loadhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/Flowhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/flow/Incremental Learninghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, Steve and Matt talk about frames.  Can you believe we made it 127 episodes deep without doing a full episode on this topic?  This is probably the most in-depth and conceptual discussion of frames you'll ever hear.Some key points about frames:Frames are a structural barrier used to keep your opponent at a distance.Frames and wedges are very similar.Frames are used for defense - as opposed to wedges, which are used for offense.Frames are strongest when "solid" - meaning there are no structural weaknesses from your joints.With frames, you don't need to block the opposing side.  With wedges, you do.Making "pointy" frames with your elbow or knee is risky because your opponent might pass your limb across your center.Mental models discussed in this episode:Core Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/Controlling the Distancehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Defend With Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/Force Vectorshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Solid Frameshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-frames/Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Head Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position/Surface Areahttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined again by Livia Giles!  Livia's expecting, and will be adding motherhood to her long list of achievements!  In this episode, we discuss Livia's experience with pregnancy, and how she balances being an expecting mother with the lifestyle of an elite-level BJJ black belt and coach.Mental models discussed in this episode:Train With Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/Prevention Over Curehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/Prioritize Longevityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/Short-term/Long-term Paradoxhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/short-term-long-term-paradox/Stress and Recoveryhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week, we're joined by the living legend, Rafael Lovato Jr.!  Rafael introduces his philosophy of Timeless Jiu-Jitsu, which he used to become one of the greatest champions of his generation.Rafael talks about being a forever student, teaching to learn, finding your why, leading from the front, competition, finding mentors, positivity, mindfulness, and investing in yourself.NOTE: Apologies for the background noise in this episode.  We tried to clean it up.Lovato’s Timeless Jiu-Jitsu Group on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/timelessjjThe official Timeless Jiu-Jitsu website:https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com/Mental models discussed in this episode:Beginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Growth From Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Teach to Learnhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/First Principleshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/Prioritize Longevityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/Transfer of Learninghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Mindfulnesshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/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.Our premium offerings are powered by Patreon.  Sign up here:https://patreon.com/bjjmentalmodels/Need more BJJ Mental Models?Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook:https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/Music by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/