BJJ Mental Models

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the alignment scorecard!   It's a quick way to use Rob Biernacki's alignment framework to "score" your grappling and make smarter grappling decisions faster.  This episode builds on the last four mini-episodes about base, posture, structure, and alignment. Further study: BJJMM Mini Ep. 1: Base https://podcast.bjjmentalmod...

This week we're joined again by Cal McDonald!  Cal is a BJJ black belt under Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team and is the author of the new "BJJ Foundations" instructional alongside Stephan Kesting from Grapplearts.  In this episode, Cal discusses "automatic grappling," or the science of how we can improve our reaction time and make better decisions by thinking less when...

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of alignment!  Alignment is Rob Biernacki's simplified concept for understanding Jiu-Jitsu and making smarter grappling decisions faster.  This episode builds on the last three mini-episodes about base, posture, and structure. Further study: BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignment https://bjj.plus/1 BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Bie...

This week we're joined by Lucas Wilhan!  Lucas is a black belt under Bruno Fernandes and is the head instructor at Lapel Arts in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  In this episode, Lucas joins us to break down concepts behind the ankle lock, and to discuss modern innovations and variants around this submission. Follow Lucas, Pauline, and Lapel Arts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucaswilhan htt...

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of structure!  Structure means the ability to effectively utilize your limbs.  This episode builds on the last two mini-episodes about base and posture. Further study: BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignment https://bjj.plus/1 BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernacki https://bjj.plus/50 Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $7...

This week we're joined by Dr. Jooyoung Lee!  Jooyoung is a BJJ black belt, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, and an accredited expert in the sociological study of violence.  In this episode, Jooyoung discusses the science behind "pulling the trigger" when grappling, how to be more aggressive in the moment, and how to avoid becoming flustered in the face of your...

In this week's mini-episode, we're introducing the concept of posture!  Let's talk about what posture means in the context of Jiu-Jitsu, why it's so important, and how managing posture improves both your defense and offense.  This episode builds on last week's mini-episode about base. Further study: BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignment https://bjj.plus/1 BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, fea...

This week we're joined by Beatrice Jin!  Beatrice is a coach at Kogaion Academy in Virginia, an outstanding brown belt professional competitor, and the operator of America's longest-running women's open mat.  In this episode, Beatrice explains how unaggressive grapplers can shed that passive mindset, "stop being nice," and weaponize the strategic meanness needed to excel a...

We're launching a brand new mini-podcast!  Once a week, we'll publish a brief explanation of a key mental model for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  This week we're talking about base, one of the core elements from Rob Biernacki's theory of alignment. Further study: BJJMM Ep. 1: Alignment https://bjj.plus/1 BJJMM Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernacki https://bjj.plus/50 Get our Intro...

This week we're joined again by Dominyka Obelenyte!  Dom is a black belt under Marcelo Garcia, a 4x black belt and 10x overall world champion, and a longtime BJJ Mental Models collaborator and coach.  In this episode, Dominyka breaks down mental models for Jiu-Jitsu gameplanning alongside her new Digitsu instructional, The Art of the Gameplan. Get Dom's gameplanning instructional on Digi...

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro   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 work...

This week we're joined again by Josh McKinney!  Josh is a coach at HeadnodHQ in Illinois and a black belt under Kyle Watson.  In this episode, Josh breaks down his "Champions Stay Present" coaching strategy: a mindfulness-based method to help athletes achieve their best performance and mental state. Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmckinney Check out the I...

This week we're joined again by Dr. Mike Piekarski!  Better known as "Doctor Kickass" on Instagram, Mike is a BJJ black belt under Henry Akins and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy.  In this episode, we discuss ways to safely apply the stack pass and reduce your risk of injury while defending it. Follow Mike on social: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_kickass https://www.facebook.com/...

This week we're joined by Giles Garcia!  Giles is the head coach at Ronin Grappling in Glasgow, Scotland.  In this episode, Giles explains why it's so important that coaches help their students simplify their thinking surrounding Jiu-Jitsu. Follow Giles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_guanche Train with Giles at Ronin Grappling: https://roningrappling.com/ Learn from Giles onl...

This week we're joined by Stuart Cooper!  Stuart is best known for his incredible Jiu-Jitsu documentaries, but he's also an outstanding black belt with a deadly guard passing game.  In this episode, Stuart joins us to discuss some of the best styles and strategies for passing the guard. Follow Stuart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartcooperfilms Subscribe to Stuart's You...

We're giving you a bonus episode because yesterday's release was an April Fools' Day joke. 🤣 This episode is the second in a new BJJ Mental Models Premium series: Grappling With Confidence.  In this episode, we're joined by breakout star and 2023 ADCC European champion Jozef Chen!  Jozef discusses the importance of confidence for building resilience, the challenges faced by hi...

This week we're joined again by Priit Mihkelson, formerly of Defensive BJJ!  In this episode, Priit shares some shocking news: he is abandoning his study of defensive Jiu-Jitsu.  We discuss Priit's new focus on 100% offensive BJJ, including topics such as: flash submissions, attacking from inside the guard, winning by injury stoppage, and biting mechanics. Follow Priit on Instagram: http...

This week we're joined by Mike Jaramillo!  Mike is John Danaher's first black belt and the advanced no gi instructor at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York.  In this episode, Mike discusses Jiu-Jitsu's power as a "happy pill" to enhance mental health, combat depression, and bring people together. Follow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikejaramillo_bjj Follow...

This episode was originally for BJJ Mental Models Premium subscribers, but you're getting it for free!  The Highest Levels is a BJJMM Premium podcast on peak performance hosted by Emily Kwok and Joe Hannan.  In this episode, Emily is joined by arguably the greatest pound-for-pound grappler in the history of the sport, Marcelo Garcia.  I really don't have any words to describe this one -...

This week we're joined again by Emily Kwok!  Emily is a peak performance consultant and multi-time BJJ black belt world champion representing Marcelo Garcia.  In this episode, Emily introduces polarity mapping: a powerful tool for understanding nuance and breaking through either/or thinking.  We discuss polarities in Jiu-Jitsu, such as: tension/slack, fast/slow, retraction/extension, holding...

This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki!  Fresh off winning his first world championship at 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds in the masters 4 black belt middleweight division, Rob joins us to unveil a new submission he's been developing for the past year: the roadhouse choke.  It's a modified throat post choke that Rob recently used successfully in competition, and it's surprising...

We make a LOT of educational Jiu-Jitsu content here at BJJ Mental Models!  Whether you're into our free resources or a BJJMM Premium subscriber, here's a playbook on how to best use ALL our content to become a better grappler. Watch this on YouTube to see the visuals: https://youtu.be/4vbreoHjVR8 Here's a link to the course mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/436VPrb Don'...

This week we're joined by David Porter!  David is a black belt under Pedro Sauer and manages XCAL Martial Arts in Ashburn, Virginia.  In this episode, David discusses the importance of choosing your coaching language carefully.  David shares best practices such as: focusing on evergreen mechanics, clarity in language, aligning with student goals, avoiding complacency, and naming conventions....

This week we're joined by black belt and Yoga for BJJ founder Sebastian Brosche!  Sebastian joins us to break down one of our favorite strategies: position as submission.  The meta is increasingly evolving to appreciate the importance of submission-level pressure.  In this episode, we explain why that is and how to do it. Follow Sebastian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforbjj Sub...

This week, Brother Matt joins us again to break down common Jiu-Jitsu mistakes such as failing to regulate tension, failing to fight for the inside channel, failing to manage the distance, failing to set goals, believing your coach knows everything, and failing to clear your trademark with JT Torres. Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onguardbjj Join the On Guard BJJ Online Academ...