

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

12 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 5min
Mini Ep. 66: Abundance Mindset
Discover the power of an abundance mindset in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! Learn how this perspective fosters community, support, and collaboration, contrasting sharply with a scarcity mindset. It's all about viewing success as a shared achievement rather than a competition. This mini-discussion offers insights on how embracing abundance can actually enhance your Jiu-Jitsu skills in the long run, benefiting not just you, but everyone around you. Tune in to unlock strategies that transform training into a supportive environment!

Aug 4, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 349: Overcoming Obstacles, feat. Edwin "Junny" Ocasio
Edwin "Junny" Ocasio, a world champion in Jiu-Jitsu, shares profound insights about the mental hurdles faced in high-level competition. He candidly discusses how the thrill of winning a title led to unexpected feelings of depression and self-doubt. Junny emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced identity outside of sports and highlights the power of community support. The conversation covers resilience, self-love, and the significance of focusing on personal growth over accolades, making it a compelling exploration of success's emotional complexities.

10 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 8min
Mini Ep. 65: Process Over Outcomes
Explore the importance of prioritizing process over immediate results in your practice. Discover how building consistent habits can create motivational wins in the long run. Learn about adapting quickly through timely feedback and why blindly trusting the process might not always be the best advice. The discussion also highlights a unique resource from a skilled instructor, focusing on a new technique to enhance your grappling skills. Shift your mindset from long-term goals to manageable, short-term achievements for steady progress.

14 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 348: The Timeline of Coaching, feat. Francesco Fonte
Francesco Fonte, a Jiu-Jitsu coach known for his innovative teaching methods, discusses his unique 'timeline of coaching.' He emphasizes a reversal of traditional learning—starting with engaging games before delving into skills and information. This approach, he argues, fosters better retention and performance. The conversation also touches on the importance of incremental learning and effective communication in coaching, revealing parallels between mastering martial arts and acquiring language skills.

6 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 7min
Mini Ep. 64: Resulting
This mini-discussion dives into the intriguing logical fallacy of 'resulting,' where outcomes distort our understanding of decision-making quality. It highlights how a champion's random victory illustrates the risks of misjudging success based solely on results. The podcast also offers a free mini-course on a unique straight ankle lock variant, aimed at enhancing grappling techniques against tough opponents. Self-assessment and recognizing external influences are key themes, encouraging listeners to rethink their approach to skill and success.

10 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 347: The ABCs of Mental Coaching, feat. Laurien Zurhake
Laurien Zurhake, co-founder of Off the Zone, specializes in trauma-informed coaching for athletes and coaches. In this fascinating discussion, she introduces her ABC Playbook for Mental Health, detailing techniques to create a supportive training atmosphere in Jiu-Jitsu. Laurien emphasizes the importance of understanding students' pasts and fostering psychological safety. She shares practical strategies for handling mental distress and highlights the value of feedback from beginners. This episode unveils how trauma-informed approaches can enhance training effectiveness and community in martial arts.

5 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 7min
Mini Ep. 63: Self-Competition
This mini discussion dives into the pitfalls of comparing yourself to others in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It emphasizes how this mindset can stifle personal growth. Instead, the conversation encourages embracing self-competition as a way to measure progress against your own past abilities. By focusing on individual improvement, practitioners can foster a healthier approach to skill development in combat sports. Discover how shifting your perspective can lead to greater fulfillment and success!

8 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 346: Tryhard Hobbyists, feat. Rosie Miller
Rosie Miller, a brown belt from Atos HQ and founder of The Grappler’s Lab, discusses being a 'tryhard hobbyist' in Jiu-Jitsu. She shares her journey of evolving goals and self-identity within the sport. The conversation touches on emotional challenges like impostor syndrome and burnout while emphasizing the importance of balancing ambition with enjoyment. Rosie presents a values-based framework to help hobbyists define their goals and align their training with personal life, fostering fulfillment regardless of competitive aspirations.

5 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 7min
Mini Ep. 62: The Red Queen Effect
Discover the Red Queen effect and how it relates to Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the need for continual movement just to keep up. The concept sheds light on why practitioners often feel stagnant when comparing their progress to others. The discussion also touches on the importance of personal growth and the value of measuring improvement against consistent training. Plus, enjoy a heartfelt tribute to Canada Day and the Fourth of July, highlighting the shared history and support between the two nations.

10 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 345: Back After Layoffs, feat. Elisabeth Clay
Elisabeth Clay, an elite Jiu-Jitsu competitor and new mom, shares her inspiring journey of returning to the mat after pregnancy and injury. She discusses the mental hurdles athletes face, including navigating anxiety and the importance of community support during breaks. Elisabeth emphasizes the need for safety and communication in training while pregnant and reflects on the unique challenges women encounter in sports. Her insights on balancing motherhood and Jiu-Jitsu highlight authentic connection, realistic goal-setting, and staying engaged with the Jiu-Jitsu culture.


