
BJJ Mental Models
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.
Latest episodes

Feb 24, 2020 • 1h 3min
Ep. 60: Identifying Opportunities
This week, Steve and Matt talk about how to identify and exploit opportunities.Mental models discussed in this episode:Core Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/Grips Dictate Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/Train with Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/Win Conditionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/Kaizenhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Technique Chaininghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/Return on Investmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/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/

Feb 17, 2020 • 1h 13min
Ep. 59: Passivity
This week, Steve and Matt talk about passivity. I mean, if it's okay with you. If not, we can talk about something else.Mental models discussed in this episode:Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Path of Least Resistancehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Defensive Thinkinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/Train with Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/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/

Feb 10, 2020 • 53min
Ep. 58: The Gracies
It's history lesson time! This week Steve and Matt dive into the hemarkable story of the first family of Jiu-Jitsu.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/

Feb 3, 2020 • 1h 3min
Ep. 57: Direct vs. Proxy Control
To grab a dude, or to grab a dude by his clothing? This week, Steve and Matt discuss direct versus proxy control.Mental models discussed in this episode:Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Committed Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/Anatomic Hierarchyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/anatomic-hierarchy/Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Interleavinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/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/

Jan 27, 2020 • 1h 8min
Ep. 56: Promotions
This week, Steve and Matt explain why you don't deserve that blue belt.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/

Jan 20, 2020 • 1h 10min
Ep. 55: Passing Guard
How have we not covered this topic yet? In this week's episode, Steve and Matt discuss the principles behind guard passing.Mental models discussed in this episode:Inside Channel Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Grips Dictate Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/Direct vs. Proxy Controlhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/Funnelinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Elbow-Knee Connectionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/Shifting Platformshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/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/

Jan 13, 2020 • 1h 3min
Ep. 54: The Modern Competitive Landscape, feat. Oliver Taza
Oliver Taza is back! Matt and Oliver discuss Oliver's performance at No Gi Worlds, gym ownership, tournament strategy, and today's competitors.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/

Jan 6, 2020 • 1h
Ep. 53: Being Bad at Jiu-Jitsu
This week's episode is for those of us who aren't natural Jiu-Jitsu prodigies.Mental models discussed in this episode:Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Beginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Funnelinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Habits over Resultshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/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/

Dec 30, 2019 • 1h 3min
Ep. 52: Uke's Responsibilities
Uke is a Japanese word meaning the person who receives a technique. A good uke can amplify the effectiveness of your drilling. This week, Steve and Matt discuss how to be a good uke.Mental models discussed in this episode:Predictable Responseshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/Raise the Level in the Roomhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-roomBeginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/Incremental Learninghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/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/

Dec 23, 2019 • 1h 57min
Ep. 51: Succeeding with Ethics, feat. Rob Biernacki
You don't need to compromise your ethics to build a successful gym. Rob Biernacki, head coach of Island Top Team and bjjconcepts.net, shares his insights on how to build an ethical Jiu-Jitsu business.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/