BJJ Mental Models

Stephan Kesting, a legendary Jiu-Jitsu instructor known for his insights on grappling and wilderness skills, joins to tackle the controversial lapel guard technique. He discusses its potential dangers and argues for its ban by the IBJJF. The conversation dives into the evolution of grappling styles and the socio-political implications within the BJJ community. With a light-hearted twist, they humorously launch a cryptocurrency to support grapplers and explore testosterone's role in performance, keeping the dialogue both engaging and thought-provoking.

This week features Noah Shaffner, a rising Jiu-Jitsu competitor trained under the constraints-led approach, and his coach, Greg Souders. They dive into innovative training methodologies that emphasize experiential learning and ecological dynamics. Noah shares his journey adapting to a game-based style, while Greg discusses the importance of using external cues for enhancing performance. Together, they explore redefining coaching relationships and fostering community within Jiu-Jitsu, advocating for a more organic approach to skill acquisition.

Explore the concept of 'investing in loss' and how it transforms failures into stepping stones for success. Delve into personal stories that highlight the importance of setbacks in mastering skills, particularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Discover how reframing losses can foster a growth mindset, motivating you to tackle challenges and embrace difficulties as valuable lessons for improvement.

Join Paul Kindzia, a BJJ black belt trained under Emily Kwok, as he shares insights from his unique journey in jiu-jitsu. Known for his 'homeschooled' approach, Paul discusses the benefits of training at his private gym, 'The Bunker.' He emphasizes self-competition, survivorship bias, and the importance of inclusivity in jiu-jitsu. Discover how personalized training can enhance your practice, and learn practical tips on optimizing your at-home jiu-jitsu setup while maintaining community ties.

Explore the transformative concept of 'beginner's mind' and its impact on learning. This mindset, rooted in Zen Buddhism, encourages curiosity and openness to new experiences. Discover how embracing this approach can lead to personal growth in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The discussion highlights the importance of humility and learning from failure, providing practical tips to overcome ego-driven obstacles. Tune in for insights that can enhance your skills and enjoyment in training!

Dr. Mike Israetel, a PhD in sport physiology, black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and competitive bodybuilder, shares his insights on training intensity in Jiu-Jitsu. He breaks down intensity zones, emphasizing their roles in skill acquisition and competition prep. Mike also discusses adapting techniques based on training partners' skill levels and the balance between offense and defense. He highlights the importance of a tailored approach for beginners versus advanced practitioners for optimal training effectiveness.

Learn how spaced repetition can revolutionize your Jiu-Jitsu training! Discover effective study schedules and advanced techniques to improve memory retention. The discussion includes practical tools and apps to help you organize review sessions. Plus, explore the cognitive advantages of effective note-taking. Enhance your understanding and application of skills while maximizing your training outcomes!

In this episode, legendary Jiu-Jitsu instructor Stephan Kesting joins us to discuss the concept of perseverance. It's both a critical mental model for success in martial arts, and also the title of his new Amazon best-selling book, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic. Stephan shares his remarkable journey following a health crisis that led to kidney failure and transplant in 2015, his 1000-mile solo canoe trip through the Canadian North, and how these journeys translated to learnings applicable to Jiu-Jitsu.Follow Stephan on Instagram:https://instagram.com/stephan_kestingBuy Stephan's new book, Perseverance:https://essentialwilderness.com/book/Mental models discussed in this episode:Survivorship Biashttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/Resulting Fallacyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/Keep Your Identity Smallhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/10-Minute Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/10-minute-rule/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Stress and Recoveryhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/Prioritize Longevityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/Return on Investmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/Ulysses Contractshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/ulysses-contracts/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 

Discover the fascinating concept of effortful retrieval and its impact on learning jiu-jitsu. The discussion revolves around strategies that sharpen memory and enhance decision-making during training. By implementing these techniques, you can boost recall and fluidity in movements while sparring. It's all about working your brain to optimize your skills on the mats!

Rob Biernacki, a BJJ expert and owner of Island Top Team, shares insights on maximizing drop-in experiences and attending seminars. He emphasizes the importance of prior communication and etiquette when visiting gyms. The conversation addresses handling aggressive partners and the critical need for emotional safety in training. Personal anecdotes highlight the significance of adapting to different gym cultures to foster positive environments. Biernacki also discusses his visiting student program, encouraging connections through online resources.