BJJ Mental Models

This week we're joined by Alexander Darwin!  Alexander is a black belt at Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is best known as the author of the BJJ-inspired sci-fi/fantasy novel, The Combat Codes.  In this episode, Alexander talks about the ethos of keeping it playful: a statement we've all heard before, but also a philosophy that significantly increases your enjoyment of — and performance i...

This week we're joined by Shama Ko!  Shama is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Penny Thomas and is best known for her role as Program Director at Girls in Gis.  In this episode, Shama shares advice on the obstacles we encounter in our Jiu-Jitsu journey, and the power of community in overcoming them. Follow Shama on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamasko/ Visit the Girls in Gis we...

This week we're joined by Shanti Abelha!  Shanti is a multi-time black belt world champion, management consultant, and head coach at Hive BJJ in Copenhagen.  In this episode, Shanti draws upon her business management experience to introduce lean methodologies and explain how they can transfer to skill development in BJJ. Follow Shanti on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantibjj/ Train w...

This week we're joined by David Figueroa-Martinez!  David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California.  In this episode, David discusses how Jiu-Jitsu, while not a replacement for therapy, can still be a powerful tool for assisting in trauma recovery. Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfm.2099/ David's website: https://dfm2099.m...

This week we're joined again by Brandon Mccaghren!  In this episode, Brandon breaks down the concepts behind an essential 10th Planet guard: the lockdown. Follow Brandon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonmc.ninja/ Subscribe to Brandon's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@brandonmcninja Get Brandon's lockdown instructional at BMAC academy: https://bmac.mykajabi.co...

This week we're joined by Dr. Nate Zinsser!  Nate shares the confidence-building guidance from his essential book, The Confident Mind. Get Nate's book, The Confident Mind: https://www.natezinsser.com/book Nate's website: https://www.natezinsser.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Growth Mindset https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/ Mental Gatekeeping https://bjjmenta...

This week we're joined by Priit Mihkelson!  In this episode, Priit explains recent developments in what he calls "sideways open guard:" a supine guard where your body is tilted to the side.  It's an emerging position being used by competitors such as Lachlan Giles. Follow Priit on social: https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson/ https://www.facebook.com/priit.mihkelson/ Sidew...

This week we're joined by Greg Sirico!  Greg is a Marcelo Garcia black belt and is the head instructor at Odyssey BJJ in Atlanta, Georgia.  In this episode, Greg explains how regular folks who aren't BJJ celebrities or world champions can build successful and thriving Jiu-Jitsu careers. Follow Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsirico/ Follow Odyssey BJJ on Instagram: https...

This week we're joined by Steph Gaudreau!  Steph is a popular strength coach, performance nutritionist, and Jiu-Jitsu athlete.  In this episode, Steph shares her playbook on performance nutrition for "regular people:" those of us who train for fun and not as a profession. Follow Steph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph_gaudreau/ Steph's website: https://www.stephgaud...

This week we're joined by Mandy Schneider!  Mandy is an up-and-coming young competitive Jiu-Jitsu athlete training out of Dallas, Texas.  Despite her young age, she's no stranger to adversity: Mandy has been very vocal about her personal experiences with the dark side of Jiu-Jitsu, including her battles with predatory instructors and mental health. Recently, Mandy shared that she "l...

This week we're joined again by Valerie "Valhalla" Worthington!  In addition to being a black belt and OG in women's BJJ, Valerie holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and teaches coaching at Saybrook University.  In this episode, Valerie explains the importance of empathetic thinking for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches and students alike. Follow Valerie on Instagram: https://www.i...

This week we're joined by Gant Grimes!  Gant is a black belt training out of Red River Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He holds black belts in BJJ, JJJ, and Judo, and has 30 years of martial arts experience.  In this episode, Gant shares his belief that good Jiu-Jitsu looks like a bad marriage: know what makes them happy, and take it away. Contact Gant: kosotobjj@gmail.com Menta...

This week we're joined again by Jon Thomas!  In this episode, Jon draws on his guard expertise to share mental models and best practices for gripfighting from the bottom. Follow Jon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonthomasbjj/ Subscribe to Jon's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JonThomasBJJ Check out Jon's website for instructionals: https://www.jonthomasbjj.com/ M...

Welcome to a BRAND NEW podcast for BJJ Mental Models Premium subscribers!  Going forward you'll need to be a BJJMM Premium subscriber to get this podcast, but we're giving you this first episode for free! We're proud to introduce "Less Impressed More Instructionals," a new premium podcast by Jake Luigi.  Jake is the mind behind Less Impressed More Involved, arguably the be...

This week we're joined again by Chris "The Villain" Paines!  Chris is a BJJ Globetrotter and a black belt under Priit Mihkelson.  In this week's episode, Chris shares his strategies for gripfighting from the top. Watch Chris' viral YouTube video, "How to Defend Everything:" https://youtu.be/BWitv9AKoNU Buy Chris' instructionals on BJJ Fanatics: https://bit.l...

This week we're joined by Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth!  Josh is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the head instructor at Apex MMA in Georgia, and a longtime presence on forums like Bullshido and Reddit.  Josh is a small guy in a gym full of giants, and normally competes at light featherweight.  In this episode, Josh shares concepts and strategies for smaller grapplers who want to be e...

This week we're joined by James "300" Foster!  James is a 3x black belt masters world champion, 4th degree black belt under Giva Santana, and the head coach at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He's also a big boy!  In this episode, James shares mental models and training strategies for larger grapplers. Follow James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james300foster/ Subscribe...

This week we're joined again by Mike Mahaffey!  In addition to being "the Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu guy," Mike is a black belt under Chris Haueter.  In this episode, Mike shares how all of us (especially us older grapplers) can reduce our risk of injury while remaining effective at Jiu-Jitsu. Follow Mike on Instagram: https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj/ Listen to Mike's prior appe...

This week we're joined again by fan-favorite Emily Kwok!  Emily is a 4x black belt world champion (2x adult, 2x masters) and a black belt under Marcelo Garcia.  In this episode, Emily explains how a mindset of abundance (as opposed to scarcity) is essential not just for our individual development, but also the development of the entire sport. Follow Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.c...

This week we're joined by two living legends requiring no introduction: Dominyka Obelenyte and Rafael Lovato Jr.!  Both multi-time world champions in their own right, Dominyka and Rafael lead an awesome panel conversation about how each generation of Jiu-Jitsu athletes inspires the next. Follow Dominyka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domdabomburmom/ Follow Rafael Lovato Jr. on Instag...

This week we're joined by Josh McKinney!  Josh is a coach at HeadnodHQ in Illinois and a black belt under Kyle Watson.  In this episode, Josh talks about "designated winners," a collaborative training concept he popularized which has come up on BJJ Mental Models recently. Listen to Josh's podcast, the I Suck At Jiu-Jitsu Show: https://anchor.fm/isuckatjiujitsushow Train with Jo...

This week we're joined again by two fan favorites, Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting!  In this episode, Rob and Stephan discuss the evolving landscape of the leglock game and how things have changed in the past few years. Get Rob & Stephan's new instructional, Cutting Edge Leglocks: https://www.grapplearts.com/cutting-edge-leglocks/ Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

In this special episode, we're joined again by fan-favorite Rob Biernacki to announce his exciting new course. Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam/ 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...

This week we're joined again by Brother Matt!  We have a great chat on mental models and strategies regarding waypoints, j-points, and positional camping. Zara Can Do Jiu Jitsu! by Matt Kwan: https://amzn.to/3Z7kR6e On Guard BJJ Online Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy Resources mentioned in this episode: Less Impressed More Involved — YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ L...

This week we're joined by Thomas Rozdzynski!  Thomas is the Head Instructor at RŌL Academy in Illinois, and is the host of the RŌL Radio podcast.  In this episode, Thomas draws on his experience as a coach to teach how other coaches can maximize the success of their students. Follow Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rozdzynskibjj/ Listen to Thomas on the RŌL Radio podcast: https:...