This week, we're joined by Malachy Friedman! Malachy is a second-degree black belt under Ricardo Liborio and the founder of Black Label Martial Arts. Malachy shares his strategy and philosophy for guard passing. Follow Malachy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malachyfriedman/ Visit Malachy's website: https://www.malachyfriedman.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Economy of Motion https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/ Path of Least Resistance https://bjjmental...
Nov 08, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 151
This week, we're joined again by Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team and BJJConcepts.net. Rob discusses how the initial conditions of a match can be chaotic or linear, and how this difference impacts the outcome of the match. Mental models discussed in this episode: Opening Salvos https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/ Kuzushi https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/ Grips Dictate Position https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/ Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/...
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 150
This week, we're joined by Karel "The Silver Fox" Pravec! Karel shares his strategies for sparring with younger opponents, and the importance of thinking long-term. Mental models discussed in this episode: Habits Over Results https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/ Incremental Learning https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/ Dictate the Pace https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/ Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/ Tec...
Oct 25, 2021•59 min•Ep. 149
This week we're joined by Chris and Melissa Haueter! The Haueters are Jiu-Jitsu legends, with Chris being one of the first non-Brazilians to obtain a BJJ black belt. Chris and Melissa share their experiences with getting older and aging gracefully in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn from Chris and Melissa Haueter online at Combat Base Club: https://combatbase.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Self-Competition https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/ Short-term/Long-t...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 148
This week, we're joined by British Open black belt champion and Two4 Martial Arts head coach Omied Khakshour! Omied discusses "applying the 45," part of his conceptual framework for pressure passing. Check out Omied's guide here: Fundamentals of pressure – A guide to unlocking the guard and pinning https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OX_gosH8uMD8AojDt2zAT31FWr3ofK-F/view Mental models discussed in this episode: Theory of Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/...
Oct 11, 2021•59 min•Ep. 147
This week, we're joined by Whitney Bragagnolo from the Sports Ethics Examiner. Whitney is a PhD researcher in sport ethics, and a longtime practitioner of BJJ. Whitney discusses how the absence of a true BJJ governing body leads to ethical issues, and explains how BJJ could solve these problems. Referenced in the episode: Earn a black belt in building a safer & ethical gym https://www.instagram.com/p/CS-fX7mIU0z/ Shut Up & Train: A 2020 survey of sexual harassment and assault in the...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 146
This week we're joined by Doug Lemov, the bestselling author of Teach Like a Champion and The Coach's Guide to Teaching. Doug shares how education best practices like effortful retrieval, interleaving, and perception-action coupling can be applied to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here's how you can check out Doug's work: The Coach's Guide to Teaching https://www.coachsguidetoteaching.com/ Teach Like a Champion https://teachlikeachampion.com/ Mental models discussed in this episod...
Sep 27, 2021•54 min•Ep. 145
This week, we're joined by Dr. Rob Gray from the Perception & Action Podcast! Dr. Gray explains how the constraints-led approach to coaching can turbo-charge the skill development of yourself and your team. A great and insightful episode for both students and coaches. Check out Dr. Gray on the Perception & Action Podcast: https://perceptionaction.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Train With Purpose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/ Grips Dictate Position ht...
Sep 20, 2021•59 min•Ep. 144
This week we're joined again by Drew Weatherhead! Drew breaks down one of the most powerful but most underloved series of positions in Jiu-Jitsu: the crucifix. Check out The Crucifix Bible, by Drew Weatherhead, on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/the-crucifix-manual-by-drew-weatherhead Mental models discussed in this episode: 3 Joint Rule https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/ Rotational Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rotational-control/ Predictable Responses https://b...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 143
This week, Steve and Matt share their best practices for learning from BJJ instructionals. There's more high-quality content than ever, so we tackle the problem of having too much good information to absorb. Mental models discussed in this episode: Idea Communism https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/ Learning Modalities https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities/ Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/ Incremental Learning https://bjjmentalm...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 142
In this special episode, Andrew Wiltse joins us to share his stance on the recent sexual abuse allegations in the BJJ community. Mentioned in this episode: Shut Up & Train: A 2020 survey of sexual harassment and assault in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13uam_vwd_0VJQ95Z64XREIK8wVoG7zIK The Call Is Coming From Inside The Gym, by Averi Clements https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/the-call-is-coming-from-inside-the-gym/ Don't forget to check out BJJ Men...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min
This week, we're joined by Eliot Marshall. Eliot is a UFC veteran, BJJ black belt, and co-owner of the Easton Training Center. Eliot joins us to discuss the fighter's journey after retirement from competition, and how to build a sustainable business in the sport you love. Check out Eliot's podcast, The Gospel of Fire: https://gospeloffire.libsyn.com/ Eliot's book, also called The Gospel of Fire: https://www.eliotmarshall.com/book Easton Online: https://www.easton.online/ Elio...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 141
Priit Mihkelson is back! This week, Priit explains his framework for Jiu-Jitsu, and how his defensive strategies integrate with more mainstream strategies. Topics discussed: Introduction to Priit's Defensive BJJ Crunches vs. twists How Priit's system was developed Defensive BJJ vs. Biernacki's theory of alignment What problem Defensive BJJ solves Quick introduction to the Defensive BJJ system: https://youtu.be/vHDqBGNTnfY Defensive BJJ: https://www.defensivebjj.com/ Mental models ...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 140
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://premium.bjjmentalmodels.com/ Need mor...
Aug 20, 2021•2 hr 43 min
This week, Steve and Matt discuss posts: one of the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu. Posting, or connecting with the floor to create base, is a concept that's often not discussed in detail. In this episode, we break down the mental models for posting. Mental models discussed in this episode: Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/ Force Vectors https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/ 3 Joint Rule https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/ Ratchet Control https://bjjmentalmo...
Aug 16, 2021•58 min•Ep. 139
Here's a freebie for all of you loyal listeners: the first 30 minutes of the BJJ Mental Models Gamplanning Series! The Gameplanning Series is the first full course we made for BJJ Mental Models Premium. This 7-part series walks you through the process of building a Jiu-Jitsu gameplan using the mental models we talk about on the show. Enjoy the first 30 minutes of this course, on us. To get the full course, as well as the other awesome perks available to Premium subscribers, check out BJJ Me...
Aug 15, 2021•32 min
This week we're joined by Rebecca "Beans" Hughes! Rebecca is best known for her hit online BJJ coaching course, Camp Nebula. In this episode, Rebecca shares her tips for building a thriving career in Jiu-Jitsu, even if you're not a black belt or world champion. Check out Rebecca's coaching at Camp Nebula: https://campnebula.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Idea Communism https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/ Plus Minus Equals https://bjjmentalmodels.co...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 138
Note: this episode has been replaced. Please listen to the audio for an important message. 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 s...
Aug 02, 2021•6 min•Ep. 137
This week we're joined by Matt Skaff! Matt is a 10th Planet black belt who specializes in the anaconda choke. The anaconda is powerful because it's not just a choke: it's a powerful positional system with a lot of submission options. Matt's key advice for the anaconda: Don't squeeze too early! Don't go deep too early: you don't want them to control your elbow. Use your lat for power: pinch your elbows to your core. Grab your tricep, not your bicep. Internally r...
Jul 26, 2021•56 min•Ep. 136
This week, we're joined by Drew Weatherhead from Because Jitsu! Drew shares his best practices for transmission of knowledge and efficient learning. Book referenced in this episode: Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374533557 Find Drew online at: Drew Weatherhead Jiu-Jitsu https://drewjitsuonline.com Because Jitsu https://www.instagram.com/because_jitsu Mental models discussed in this episode: Concepts vs. Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/co...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 135
This week we're joined by Phrost, the founder of Bullshido. You probably know Bullshido as one of the internet's best resources for debunking fake martial arts, fake news, and other bullshit. In this episode, Phrost shares his toolkit for inoculating yourself against bullshit. Phrost's advice: Enforce the burden of proof. Avoid dichotomous (black and white) thinking. Keep your identity small. Trust data, not anecdotes. Beware of those promising certainty. Understand that imperfect...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 134
This week, we're joined by Erin Herle! Erin is a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, an elite competitor, and the founder of #submitthestigma, a mental health awareness organization for grapplers. Learn more about #submitthestigma here: https://www.submitthestigma.org/ This episode references the book Mindset, by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322 Mental models discussed in this episode: Mindfulness https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/ Growth Min...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 133
This week, Steve and Matt do a super detailed breakdown of wedges: a core mechanic of Jiu-Jitsu that's critical to offense. Frames and wedges have a lot in common, but frames are primarily used for defense, whereas wedges are primarily used for offense. If you liked our prior conversation on frames, you'll love this one on wedges. Mental models discussed in this episode: Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/ Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside...
Jun 28, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 132
This week, we're joined by newly minted black belt Margot Ciccarelli! Margot leads us on one of our most interesting discussions ever: her philosophy of movement vocabulary. Margot argues that we speak with our bodies, and that movement is a form of communication. In this episode we talk about the vocabulary we use in Jiu-Jitsu: how we label, speak, and listen with movements we make. Mental models discussed in this episode: Dictate the Pace https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/ Feed...
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 131
This week, we're joined by one of our most often requested guests: Sonny Brown! Sonny, also known as "that other BJJ podcast guy," is working on a kesa gatame instructional. He joins us to share core concepts on this underutilized position. We debunk common kesa gatame misconceptions: "They'll just take my back" "They'll just bridge me over" "They'll just push my head into an armbar or crucifix" "Kesa gatame is only for big guys&qu...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 130
We've got a bonus episode for you this week! Rob Biernacki joins us to introduce arm drag concepts from his new instructional. Learn about Rob Biernacki's arm drag concepts here: Rob Biernacki: The BJJ 2 on 1 Grip, with Advanced Details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-9tV6kU018 The Arm Drag and 2 on 1 Formula, with Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting https://www.grapplearts.com/the-arm-drag-and-2-on-1-formula/ BJJ Concepts https://bjjconcepts.net Mental models discussed in this episode...
Jun 10, 2021•46 min
This week, we're joined by Christian Graugart. Christian is the founder of BJJ Globetrotters, Beltchecker.com, and TeachingBJJ.com. In this episode, we break down Christian's five-part framework for creating: failure, brains, skills, ideas, and karma. Christian's creations: “Create Something” workshop with Christian Graugart https://youtu.be/gqtTRF5Fu98 BJJ Globetrotters https://www.bjjglobetrotters.com/ Belt Checker https://www.beltchecker.com/ Teaching BJJ https://www.teachingbj...
Jun 07, 2021•2 hr 40 min•Ep. 129
This week, we're joined by Adam Medlock. Adam is the lead autism educator for a special school in the UK. He has worked with children and young adults with autism for most of his professional life. Adam joins us to educate the grappling community on autism. He provides a framework for understanding the autism spectrum and making BJJ more inclusive to autistic students. Topics discussed include: How autism and the spectrum are defined How BJJ may be beneficial to autistic people Where autist...
May 31, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 128
This week, Steve and Matt talk about frames. Can you believe we made it 127 episodes deep without doing a full episode on this topic? This is probably the most in-depth and conceptual discussion of frames you'll ever hear. Some key points about frames: Frames are a structural barrier used to keep your opponent at a distance. Frames and wedges are very similar. Frames are used for defense - as opposed to wedges, which are used for offense. Frames are strongest when "solid" - meanin...
May 24, 2021•58 min•Ep. 127
This week we're joined again by Livia Giles! Livia's expecting, and will be adding motherhood to her long list of achievements! In this episode, we discuss Livia's experience with pregnancy, and how she balances being an expecting mother with the lifestyle of an elite-level BJJ black belt and coach. Mental models discussed in this episode: Train With Purpose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/ Prevention Over Cure https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/ Prior...
May 17, 2021•57 min•Ep. 126
