BJJ Mental Models
297 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 191 ratingsExplore the conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests discuss the mental models, or universal principles, behind the gentle art.
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Episodes
Ep. 236: Empathy, feat. Valerie Worthington
June 12, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBThis 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.instagram.com/worthingtonvalerie/ Email Valerie: [email protected] Resources discussed in this episo...
Ep. 235: Bad Marriage Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Gant Grimes
June 05, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBThis 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: [email protected] Mental models discussed in this episode: Theory of Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alig...
Ep. 234: Gripfighting From the Bottom, feat. Jon Thomas
May 29, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBThis 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/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Controlling the Distance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-t...
BONUS: Less Impressed More Instructionals Ep.1: Open Guard
May 24, 2023 07:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBWelcome 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 best analytical BJJ resource on YouTube. Once per month, Jake will give you his full recap on the instructionals he's bee...
Ep. 233: Gripfighting From the Top, feat. Chris "The Villain" Paines
May 22, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBThis 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.ly/43bQXzW Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisvillainbjj/ Subscribe to Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.c...
Ep. 232: Mental Models for Featherweights, feat. Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth
May 15, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBThis 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 effective against much larger opponents. Troll Josh on Reddit: https://reddit.com/u/kintanon Train with Josh a...
Ep. 231: Mental Models for Ultra-Heavyweights, feat. James "300" Foster
May 08, 2023 07:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBThis 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 to James' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@James300Foster Train with James: http://fosterbjj.com/ Menta...
Ep. 230: Old Bastard Injury Prevention, feat. Mike Mahaffey
May 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBThis 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 appearance on BJJMM: https://bjj.plus/191 Mental models discussed in this episode: Short-Term / Long-Term Paradox h...
Ep. 229: The Abundance Mindset, feat. Emily Kwok
April 24, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBThis 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.com/emilykwokbjj/ Connect with Emily for coaching: https://www.emilykwok.com/ Mental models discus...
Ep. 228: Inspiration, feat. Rafael Lovato Jr. & Dominyka Obelenyte
April 17, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBThis 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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovatojrbjj/ Learn from Rafael Lovato Jr. on his site, Timeless Jiu...
Ep. 227: Designated Winners, feat. Josh McKinney
April 10, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBThis 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 Josh at HeadnodHQ in Illinois: https://headnodhq.com/ Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmc...
Ep. 226: Postmodern Leglocks, feat. Rob Biernacki & Stephan Kesting
April 03, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBThis 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/islandtopteam/ Follow Stephan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting/ Check out the Grapp...
Ep. 225: Selling Manliness, feat. Rob Biernacki
April 01, 2023 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBIn 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 journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize yo...
Ep. 224: Waypoints and J-Points, feat. Matt Kwan
March 27, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBThis 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 Less Impressed More Half Guard Passing https://limibjj.mykajabi.com/ Jozef Chen on Instagram htt...
Ep. 223: Maximizing Student Success, feat. Thomas Rozdzynski
March 20, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MBThis 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://www.therolradio.com/ Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium! If you love the pod...
Ep. 222: Compression Locks, feat. Eli Knight
March 13, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.2 MBThis week we're joined by Eli Knight! Eli is a black belt under Royce Gracie and is a prolific online BJJ instructor. In this episode, Eli breaks down concepts behind an underloved aspect of Jiu-Jitsu: compression locks. Follow Eli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knight_jiu_jitsu_/ Subscribe to Eli on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KnightJiuJitsu Get Eli's Compression Locks instructional on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/crushing-compression-locks-by-eli-knig...
Ep. 221: Getting Better Faster, feat. Jozef Chen
March 06, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBThis week we're joined by Jozef Chen! Jozef is a member of the B Team and has been a BJJ Mental Models community member since the early days. Jozef is also known for how rapidly he developed his skillset as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete. In this episode, Jozef shares his method, with some great insights into Josh Waitzkin's work, growth versus performance, innovators versus honers, competitive esports, and other cool avenues you might not have considered in your learning journey. Follow Jozef on I...
SPECIAL: Gym Rats and Giving Back 2.0, feat. Andrew Wiltse
March 04, 2023 04:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBIn this special bonus episode, Andrew Wiltse from Daisy Fresh and Wiltse Bros BJJ joins us for a raw and transparent conversation about mental health, the future of Jiu-Jitsu, and how we can best support our athletes. Wiltse Bros. on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_andrew-wiltse Wiltse Bros. on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WiltseBrothersBJJ Wiltse Bros. on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WiltseBrothersBJJ/ Resource mentioned in this e...
Ep. 220: Note-Taking for Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Rachel Ranschau
February 27, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBThis week we're joined by Rachel Ranschau! Rachel is a black belt under André Galvão and an avid Jiu-Jitsu note-taker. In this episode, Rachel shares her approach to note-taking, and explains how it accelerates information retention and skill development. Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelranschau/ Check out Rachel's Jiu Jitsu X instructional, Systematically Starting Sleeves: https://bit.ly/3Z6nwgA Mental models discussed in this episode: Effortful Retrieval h...
Ep. 219: Think Like an Analyst, feat. Jake Luigi
February 20, 2023 08:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBThis week we're joined by Jake Luigi! Jake is best known as the creator of the hugely popular BJJ YouTube channel, Less Impressed More Involved. In this episode, Jake explains his analytical approach, which he used to create one of the most essential Jiu-Jitsu resources on YouTube. A great listen for anyone interested in research and tape study. Jake's YouTube channel - Less Impressed More Involved: https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ Jake's podcast - 1-800-BJJ-HELP: https://1800bjjhelp.bu...
Ep. 218: Overcoming Competition Anxiety, feat. Amanda Bruse
February 13, 2023 08:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBThis week we're joined by Amanda Bruse! Amanda is a new black belt under André Galvão, and just joined the BJJ Mental Models review team! In this episode, Amanda provides some great perspective on how competitors can navigate competition anxiety. Follow Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandabruse.bjj/ Book referenced on the podcast: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi https://amzn.to/3W8v8xs Mental models discussed in this episode: Grow...
Ep. 217: World-Class From Anywhere, feat. Margot Ciccarelli
February 06, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBThis week we're joined again by BJJMM team member and fan favorite Margot Ciccarelli! They call her "The Nomadic Mars" for a reason: Margot has lived the nomadic lifestyle and has trained at gyms all around the world. In this episode, Margot shares her tips for becoming a world-class athlete from anywhere in the world. Follow Margot on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margotciccarelli/ Get coaching from Margot: https://margotciccarelli.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: ...
Ep. 216: How Instructors Learn, feat. Taylor Biagi
January 30, 2023 08:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBThis week we're joined by Taylor Biagi! Taylor is the founder and head instructor at Taylor Biagi Jiu Jitsu in Chicago. In this episode, Steve and Taylor talk about how instructors learn, and how their learning journey is different from that of a student. Follow Taylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorbiagibjj/ Taylor's website: https://taylorbiagijiujitsu.com/ Taylor's email: [email protected] Resources referenced in this podcast: The Danaher Diaries, by Heroe...
Ep. 215: Incentives & Triggers, feat. Jorgen Matsi
January 23, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBThis week we're joined by Jorgen Matsi! Jorgen is an Estonian BJJ black belt with a background in sports psychology. In this episode, Jorgen explains how coaches and students can use incentive systems and triggers to direct skill development. Book referenced in this episode: Applying Educational Psychology in Coaching Athletes, by Jeffrey J. Huber https://amzn.to/3H6ZsUU Watch Jorgen teach on BJJ Globetrotters in Action: https://bit.ly/3ZIm1q4 Follow Jorgen on social media: https://www....
Ep. 214: Mental Performance Coaching, feat. Justin Su'a
January 16, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBThis week we're joined by Justin Su'a! Justin is the Head of Mental Performance with the Tampa Bay Rays. In this episode, Justin draws on his world-class experience to discuss how coaches can help their athletes achieve peak performance. Follow Justin on social media: https://www.instagram.com/justinsua/ https://twitter.com/Justinsua https://www.facebook.com/justin.sua/ Books discussed in this episode: Mindset, by Carol Dweck https://amzn.to/3IJEXyE Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi htt...
Ep. 213: The Pitfalls of Perfectionism, feat. Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic
January 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBThis week we're joined by Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic! Fresh off winning gold in black belt masters at the 2022 IBJJF Worlds, Lyzz joins us to talk about something she (and all of us, really) battle with: perfectionism. Follow Lyzz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_daemonette/ Follow Lyzz on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekfoster Mental models discussed in this episode: Consistency https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/ Do What Works https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-w...
Ep. 212: Scrambles & Safety, feat. Jordan Preisinger
January 02, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBThis week we’re joined by Jordan Preisinger! Jordan is a BJJ black belt best known for his YouTube channel, Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu. In this episode, Jordan shares his thoughts on scrambles, and how to do them safely. Subscribe to Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JordanTeachesJiujitsu Listen to Jordan's podcast, Talk-Jitsu: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1992689 Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanteachesjiujitsu/ Mental models discussed...
Ep. 211: BJJ for LEOs, feat. Adam Haidary
December 26, 2022 08:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBThis week we’re joined by Adam Haidary! Adam is the co-founder of Effective Fitness Combatives and the creator of the popular Instagram account PolicePosts. In this episode, Adam shares how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be integrated with law enforcement officer (LEO) training. Effective Fitness Combatives website: https://www.efcombatives.com/ Effective Fitness Combatives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efcombatives PolicePosts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/policeposts Eff...
Ep. 210: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, feat. Dr. David Ley
December 19, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBThis week we’re joined again by Dr. David Ley! Dr. Ley is a Gracie Barra black belt and a leading psychotherapist in New Mexico. In this episode, Dr. Ley gives us a primer on cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an effective tool for treating anxiety, depression, and many mental health disorders. It’s also a great tool for general lifestyle and mindset improvement, and in this episode Dr. Ley shares some advice on how CBT can be beneficial to grapplers. ...
Ep. 209: Stress Management, feat. Sheena Osborne
December 12, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBThis week we're joined by Sheena Osborne! Sheena is an advanced care paramedic and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. In this episode, Sheena shares highlights from the stress management program she teaches to her fellow first responders. It's a great dive into human factors, stress response, and performance in stressful situations. Follow Sheena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheena_osborne/ Follow Sheena on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheena.osborne.7 Headspace video ref...
Ep. 208: Playing Within the Rules, feat. Robert Degle
December 05, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBThis week we're joined again by fan-favorite Robert Degle! In this episode, Robert brings both his Jiu-Jitsu and philosophy backgrounds to the table to discuss some of the trickier questions around rules and ethics. What is stalling, and should there be rules against it? Is it acceptable to apply submissions with the intent to injure your opponent? And what changes could we make to the Jiu-Jitsu rulesets to be more in line with the spirit of the sport? Robert Degle's Instagram: https://...
Ep. 207: The Kaboom Kids BJJ Framework, feat. Kabir Bath
November 28, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBThis week we’re joined by Kabir Bath! Kabir is a black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr., the Head of International at the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu Association, and the head instructor at Kaboom BJJ. Kabir’s gym is best known for its Kaboom Kids BJJ program, with currently over 300 child enrolments and still growing. In this episode, Kabir shares his framework for building a top-quality kids program that integrates best practices from ecological psychology and business administration. This episode is...
Ep. 206: How We Learn to Move, feat. Dr. Rob Gray
November 21, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBThis week we’re joined again by Dr. Rob Gray! Rob is an Associate Professor of Human Systems Engineering at Arizona State University, the host of the Perception & Action Podcast, and the author of How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills. In this episode, Rob provides an introduction to the material covered in How We Learn to Move. We have a great conversation about ecological dynamics, the constraints-led approach, differential learning, and other a...
Ep. 205: Psychological Safety, feat. Tum Emergia
November 14, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.2 MBThis week we're joined by Tum Energia! Thomas Voorn, better known by his nickname Tum Energia, is a BJJ black belt and the founder of Energia Martial Arts. In this episode, Tum explains the concept of psychological safety: a key tactic for building a culture where your students aren't afraid to show vulnerability and ask questions. Follow Tum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tumenergia/ Subscribe to Tum on YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/EnergiaMartialArts Check out Energia Fightw...
Ep. 204: Coaching With Technology, feat. Matt Kwan & Alex Simoes
November 07, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBThis week we're joined by Brother Matt Kwan and Alex Simoes! Alex is the CEO of Tekneek, and Brother Matt is Brother Matt. In this episode, we talk about how recent advances in coaching technology can benefit everyone, from students to coaches. Email Alex to create your Tekneek account: [email protected] Check out the On Guard BJJ online academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online-academy Mental models discussed in this episode: Feedback Loop https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/ Micr...
Ep. 203: Evidence-Based Coaching, feat. Greg Souders
October 31, 2022 07:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBThis week we're joined by Greg Souders! Greg is the head coach at Standard Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Greg explains how we can integrate coaching best practices from other sports into Jiu-Jitsu. Email Greg: [email protected] Follow Greg on social: https://www.facebook.com/standardjiujitsu https://www.instagram.com/standardjiujitsu/ Train with Greg at Standard Jiu-Jitsu: https://standardjiujitsu.com/ Greg's resource recommendations: Introduction to Ecological Psychology, by Ju...
Ep. 202: Breaking Limits, feat. Amy Campo
October 24, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBThis week we’re joined by Amy Campo! Hot off taking gold at ADCC 2022, Amy joins us to discuss her process for breaking through personal limits. A great and inspiring conversation on structuring your training camp, maximizing the use of your team, and how to believe in yourself. Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amycampofighter/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Intention https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/ Train With Purpose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train...
Ep. 201: Position Series: Closed Guard, feat. Brianna Ste-Marie
October 17, 2022 07:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBThis week we're joined by Brianna Ste-Marie! Fresh off her amazing performance at ADCC 2022, Brianna joins us to break down one of her signature positions: the closed guard. Follow Brianna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannasm/ Get Brianna's English instructionals on Jiu Jitsu X: https://jiujitsux.com/profile/brianna-ste-marie/ Get Brianna's French instructionals on Leclerc Jiu Jitsu: https://www.leclercjiujitsu.com/courses/Brianna Mental models discussed in this episode: D...
Ep. 200: Losing Your Passion, feat. Claudia do Val
October 10, 2022 07:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBEpisode 200 is a very special milestone, and requires a very special guest: Claudia do Val! Claudia is a 3x black belt world champion and is considered one of the best of her generation. If you follow Claudia's story, you probably know she went public two years ago with a very personal and traumatic story. That trauma, combined with the harassment she's received since, has completely changed her relationship with Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Claudia speaks about what she's experienced ove...
Ep. 199: Being Your Own Coach, feat. Shane McCarthy
October 03, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBThis week we're joined by Shane McCarthy! Shane is an instructor at Princeton BJJ and a newly minted black belt under Emily Kwok. In this episode, Shane shares best practices for taking ownership of your Jiu-Jitsu skill development. Follow Shane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakaflakashane/ Listen to Shane's podcast, Tinfoil Mat: https://anchor.fm/collin-wiemer/ Train with Shane at Princeton BJJ: https://www.princetonbjj.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Train Wi...
Ep. 198: Skincare for BJJ, feat. Dr. Clayton Green
September 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBThis week we're joined by Dr. Clayton Green! Clayton is a board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. This episode is THE definitive resource for skincare and skin issues in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Topics covered include: cleaning the gym, hygiene, staph, ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, acne, sensitive skin, excessive bruising, the ideal skincare routine for grapplers, how to wash your gi, and training w...
Ep. 197: The Happy Warrior Philosophy, feat. Roxanne Modafferi
September 19, 2022 07:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBThis week we're joined by Roxanne Modafferi! Roxanne is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, retired UFC fighter, and true women's MMA pioneer. Known as "The Happy Warrior," Roxanne joins us to discuss the Happy Warrior Philosophy, and how we can stay positive even in the face of adversity and loss. Follow Roxanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxyfighter/ Get Roxanne's books: Memoirs Of A Happy Warrior https://amzn.to/3qCFQ1E Memoirs of a Happy Warrior II: Challenges https://am...
Ep. 196: Position Series: K Guard, feat. Adam Benayoun
September 12, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBThis week we're joined by Adam Benayoun! Adam is a Ryan Hall black belt and is the head instructor at Black Cat Jiu Jitsu in Springfield, Virginia. Adam's got an upcoming K Guard instructional with BJJ Fanatics, and in this week's episode, he breaks down the core concepts for playing this versatile guard. Adam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adambenayoun/ Black Cat Jiu Jitsu: https://blackcatjiujitsu.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Mirrored Stances https://bjjmenta...
Ep. 195: Idle Time, feat. Dominyka Obelenyte
September 05, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBThis week we're joined again by Dominyka Obelenyte! Dom is a Marcelo Garcia black belt, and a 10x overall world champion, with 4 of those wins at black belt. Dom is currently recovering from knee surgery, and in this episode she shares her best practices for maximizing the value of your idle time. Dom's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domdabomburmom/ Dom's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/domdabomburmom Mental models discussed in this episode: Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels....
Ep. 194: Leaving the Sport, feat. Darin Conner DeAngelis
August 29, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBThis week we're joined by Darin Conner DeAngelis! Darin won IBJJF world champions at blue and purple belt, but as a black belt he's decided to step away from his original goal of being a professional competitor. In this episode, Darin explains to us how re-evaluating his life led him to abandon his goal of being a professional competitor, and what listeners could do if they're experiencing a similar "Jiu-Jitsu existential crisis." Darin's Instagram: https://instagram.com/dc_deangelis/ Me...
Ep. 193: Standup for ADCC, feat. Oliver Taza
August 22, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBThis week we're joined again by Oliver Taza! Oliver is actually the first guest we ever had on BJJ Mental Models, so it's great to have him back. Oliver and his team are actively preparing for ADCC, and in this episode of BJJ Mental Models, Oliver generously shares key concepts for standup in an ADCC-like environment. Oliver’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/tazagarami/ Oliver's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliver.taza.1 Mental models discussed in this episode: 3 Joint Rule http...
Ep. 192: Returning to Sport, feat. Mike "Doctor Kickass" Piekarski
August 15, 2022 07:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBThis week we're joined again by Mike "Doctor Kickass" Piekarski! Mike is both a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a physical therapist. In this episode, Mike provides general guidance on how BJJ athletes can safely return to sport after an injury or layoff. Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_kickass/ Mike's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorkickassDPT Mental models discussed in this episode: Stress and Recovery https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/ ...
Ep. 191: Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Mike Mahaffey
August 08, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBThis week we're joined by Mike Mahaffey! Mike is a black belt under Chris Haueter, and is a certified Old Bastard. In this week's episode, Mike breaks down the tenets to "Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu": the old-school style where you give them nothing, minimize movement, and crush them with pressure. Mike Mahaffey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xibalba1972/ Magic BJJ website: https://magicbjj.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Path of Least Resistance https://bjjmentalmodel...
Ep. 190: Competing After 40, feat. Emily Kwok
August 01, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBThis week we're joined again by 3x world champ and Marcelo Garcia black belt, Emily Kwok! Fresh off winning the 2022 Pans, Emily joins us to talk about what it's like to compete after the age of 40. A great chat about what competition looks like as you get older, take on more responsibilities, become more concerned about your health, and achieve a broader life perspective. Emily's website: https://emilykwok.com/ Emily’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/emilykwokbjj/ Emily's podcast, The...
Ep. 189: The Business of BJJ, feat. Sonia Sillan
July 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBThis week we're joined by Sonia Sillan! Sonia is a black belt under Hannette Staack and is the owner of Combat Arts Academy of Seattle. In this episode, Sonia shares her honest advice on how to build a BJJ business. Topics include financing, business partners, affiliations, customer onboarding, customer contracts, trial classes, class safety, and volunteers vs. employees. Sonia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniasillan/ Combat Arts Academy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c...