BJJ Mental Models

This week, Steve is joined by the internet's favorite professor, Stephan Kesting.  We have a post-mortem on the disastrous year that was 2020, discuss how we can develop a resilient mindset, and how the BJJ community can heal and recover in 2021. Mental models discussed in this episode: Raise the Level in the Room https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/ Train With Purpose htt...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by one of Steve's personal Jiu-Jitsu heroes, Dr. Valerie “Valhalla” Worthington!  Dr. Worthington shares her expertise in coaching, both on and off the mats.  We have a great discussion on the ethics of being a coach, getting more women into Jiu-Jitsu, and celebrating our differences. Mental models discussed in this episode: Do What Works https://bjjmental...

This week, Matt is joined by Judo legend Shintaro Higashi for a super detailed and technical discussion of grip strategy. Mental models discussed in this episode: Mirrored Stances https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/ Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/ Train With Purpose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/ Staying Loose https://bjjmentalm...

This week, we're joined by Dr. David Ley.  In addition to being a clinical psychologist and frequent contributor to Psychology Today, David is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Roberto Alencar.  He's the perfect guest to discuss one of our most frequently requested topics: depression and Jiu-Jitsu. Mental models discussed in this episode: Habits Over Results https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits...

The juice.  The sauce.  The bomba.  It's prevalent in our sport.  But is it true that everyone uses them?  And regardless, would that justify using them yourself?  This week, we're joined again by Lachlan Giles to discuss the ethics of performance-enhancing drug use in BJJ, and the recent firestorm around his principled comments on Instagram. Research referenced in this episode: https://...

This week, we're joined again by Island Top Team black belt Rory van Vliet.  Rory helps us answer the question: when you are a caregiver, how do you use Jiu-Jitsu safely and with compassion?  If you ever wanted to learn how to use Jiu-Jitsu to safely subdue Grandma, this is the episode for you. Mental models discussed in this episode: Theory of Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-...

What a milestone!  This week, Steve and Matt celebrate 100 episodes of BJJ Mental Models, and share the biggest lessons we've learned so far.  We also discuss cat litter options, feline dietary considerations, and fail hard at pronouncing German names. Mental models discussed in this episode: Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/ Scientific Method https://bjjmentalm...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Lachlan and Livia Giles!  Lachlan and Livia share their world-class wisdom on developing your grappling style, and advise how you can consciously guide the process of style development. Mental models discussed in this episode: Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/ Prioritize Longevity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritiz...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Robert Degle!  We have a deep conversation around the win conditions of our sport, how they influence our behavior, and why it's important to understand WHY we train Jiu-Jitsu. Mental models discussed in this episode: Win Conditions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/ Cognitive Load https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/ Flow https://bjjmen...

This week, we're joined by defensive strategist Priit Mihkelson!  Much to Matt's chagrin, Steve and Priit espouse the benefits of turtle and why it's an underappreciated position.  Priit shares some great philosophy on how shoring up your defense can give you the confidence to be more effective in your offense. Priit's tips for turtle: Keep your head on the mat Use the boxer sh...

This week, Seb Lavoie joins us again for a second dive into the conflict mindset.  Seb shares his wealth of experience to discuss frequently asked conflict-related questions, such as situational awareness, home invasion preparation.  Seb also shares some incredible stories from his career in the field. Mental models discussed in this episode: Cognitive Load https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-lo...

This week on the podcast, we're joined once again by Sergeant Major Seb Lavoie.  Seb shares his expertise on the mindset required to manage conflict.  We also discuss a dozen hypotheticals about getting into a scuffle while waiting in line at the bank teller. Seb references two books in this episode: On Combat, by Dave Grossman On Killing, by Dave Grossman Mental models discussed in this epis...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Olympian and Judo legend Travis Stevens.  Travis shares how he developed the kind of champion's mindset required to succeed at the highest levels. Mental models discussed in this episode: Levels of Competition https://bjjmentalmodels.com/levels-of-competition/ Habits Over Results https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/ Investing in Loss https:/...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Cal McDonald to discuss best practices for educating kids.  In addition to being a black belt under Rob Biernacki, Cal is a specialist in creating educational frameworks for children.  Cal shares his knowledge on the topic in a wonderful conversation with implications well beyond teaching children.  This is one of our favorite conversations ever on the podca...

This week, Steve and Matt are joined by Jon Thomas, the legendary black belt and BJJ instructor.  Steve, Matt, and Jon have a spirited discussion about the best way to integrate new techniques into your game.  We also discuss the limitations of principles and how being dogmatic about them can hinder your development. Jon suggests four ways to integrate new techniques: ask your coach watch an instr...

This week, Steve and Matt break down the differences between single and double lever control.  In general, single lever control affords more damage, whereas double lever control affords more control. Learn more about this mental model here: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Single vs. Double Lever Control https://bjjmentalmodels.co...

This week, Steve is once again joined by Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team.  If you follow Rob, you know how passionate he is about respecting expertise and calling out impostors.  We live in a world where identifying expertise is harder - and more important - than ever.  In this episode, we give you the tools to do so. When assessing an expert, beware these red flags: Does the expert speak with...

This week, Steve and Matt talk about seated guards!  Seated guards are a great way to track and harass your opponent from the bottom.  In this episode, you'll also learn why supine guard is sometimes referred to as Ali-Inoki position - which is a much more dignified nickname than how seated guard is referred to as "buttscooting." Mental models discussed in this episode: Inside Chann...

This week, Steve and Matt talk about gi-based open guards!  There are a lot of variations, including spider guard, collar and sleeve, and worm guard.  The sheer number of grip configurations can be overwhelming.  Rather than trying to memorize each variation, we suggest thinking in a concept-based approach.  In this episode, we discuss how. Mental models discussed in this episode: Direct vs. Proxy...

This week, Steve and Matt talk about butterfly guard!  Butterfly is a hook-based guard that works in both gi and no-gi, and excels against larger opponents. Mental models discussed in this episode: Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/ Body Tethering https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/ Types of Guard https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/ Kuzushi h...

This week, X gon' give it to ya!  Steve and Matt discuss X guard and its variants.  X guard, while an advanced position and difficult to enter, is an incredibly powerful position that's especially effective against larger opponents. There are three primary types of X guard: X guard - best used when you're right underneath your opponent Single leg X guard - best used when controlling...

It's time for another series!  This week, Steve and Matt begin our new five-part Open Guard Series with a concept-based breakdown of the de la Riva guard and reverse de la Riva guard. Mental models discussed in this episode: Types of Guard https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/ Body Tethering https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/ Committed Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/com...

This week, Steve and Matt discuss the concept of the third place.  It's a sociological concept coined by Ray Oldenburg, who argues that we have three important places in our life: The first place: your home The second place: your work The third place: the anchor to your community. The third place is where we blow off steam, get away from the demands of the first two places, and build relation...

The most important - and also hardest - part of every journey is the first step.  If you can't bring yourself to take the first step, you deny yourself the most important growth opportunities in life.  This week, Steve and Matt talk about the psychology of the first step, and how to overcome the natural fear of starting a new initiative.  And more importantly, we also talk about Final Fantasy...

This week, Steve and Matt discuss tipping points: the concept that, once you have sufficient leverage or momentum, your desired outcome can no longer be denied. We've all experienced tipping points, whether it be on the mats or off. In Jiu-Jitsu, tipping points occur when your opponent gains so much leverage that you cannot realistically fight off their attack anymore, and your only recourse...