This week we're joined again by Chris Wojcik! Chris is a black belt under Jeff Serafin and the author of The Grappler's Diary. In this episode, Chris discusses open guard leg entanglement strategies under different rulesets. Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik https://www.instagram.com/thegrapplersdiary Subscribe to The Grappler's Diary: https://thegrapplersdiary.com/ Resources discussed in this episode: Everything is Turtle, by Steve Kwan (requires B...
Jun 10, 2024•54 min•Ep. 288
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.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15022850-mini-ep-1-base BJJMM Mini Ep. 2: Posture https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/24...
Jun 06, 2024•18 min
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 we train. Email Cal: [email protected] Get Cal's instructional, BJJ Foundations: https://w...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 287
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 Biernacki https://bjj.plus/50 Jiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki (exclusively on BJJMM Premium)...
May 30, 2024•12 min
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 https://www.instagram.com/paulibak https://www.instagram.com/lapelarts Check out Lucas' instructiona...
May 27, 2024•59 min•Ep. 286
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 $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premiu...
May 23, 2024•9 min
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 opponent's aggression. Follow Jooyoung on social media: https://www.instagram.com/joojitsulee htt...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 285
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, feat. Rob Biernacki https://bjj.plus/50 Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: http...
May 16, 2024•10 min
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 at high-level Jiu-Jitsu. Follow Beatrice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berimbozo Follow Kogai...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 284
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 to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Don't forge...
May 09, 2024•12 min
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 Digitsu: https://digitsu.com/programs/art-of-the-gameplan-dominyka-obelenyte Follow Dom on Instagram: http...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 283
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 working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of th...
Apr 30, 2024•46 sec
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 Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujits...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 282
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/mike.piekarski.50 Work with Mike: https://linktr.ee/doctor_kickass Mental models discussed in this epi...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 281
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 online at BJJ Codex: https://www.bjjcodex.com/ Resources discussed in this episode: White Belt Survival C...
Apr 15, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 280
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 YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/stuartcooperfilms Support Stuart's work on Patreon: ht...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 279
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 high-profile grapplers, and strategies for compartmentalization. Follow Jozef on Instagram: https://www....
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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: https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson Sign up for Defensive BJJ (soon to be rebranded Offensive BJJ): ...
Apr 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 278
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 The Happy Pill Project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappypillproject Support The Happy ...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 277
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 - give it a listen. Follow Marcelo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcelogarciajiujitsu/ Follow ...
Mar 21, 2024•2 hr 36 min
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 on/letting go, and concepts/techniques. Emily's website: https://www.emilykwok.com/ Emily's I...
Mar 18, 2024•59 min•Ep. 276
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 surprisingly legal under most rulesets. Watch Rob's demonstration of the roadhouse choke: https://youtu.be/...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 275
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't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium! If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love...
Mar 06, 2024•28 min
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. Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanky_mongoose Train with David at XCAL: https://x...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 274
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 Subscribe to Yoga for BJJ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogaforbjj Join Yoga for BJJ: https://y...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 273
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 Academy: https://onguardbjj.com/p/online Resources mentioned in this episode: The Fastest Way: To Become A...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 272
This week we're joined again by Kristina Barlaan! Kristina is a black belt under Caio Terra, and is a passionate advocate for mental health in the Jiu-Jitsu community. In this episode, Kristina joins us to speak candidly about her personal experiences with high-functioning anxiety as a Jiu-Jitsu coach and athlete. Follow Kristina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbjiujitsu Email Kristina: [email protected] Connect with Erin Herle for mental performance coaching: https://erinher...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 271
This week we're joined again by Jeff Shaw! Jeff is the head instructor at Bellingham BJJ and the co-creator of the "Creating Gym Culture" series on BJJ Mental Models Premium. In this episode, Jeff joins us to break down the 3 Joint Rule: a critical mental model for understanding how to control your opponent's limbs. Follow Jeff and Bellingham BJJ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffmshaw https://www.instagram.com/bellinghambjj Train with Jeff at Bellingham BJJ: https:...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 270
This week we're joined again by Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth! Josh joins us to break down a powerful and underloved position: the honey badger. This is effectively when you "turtle" inside your opponent's guard and dig for a double under or stack pass. It's an amazing tactic for opening and passing the guard, especially against larger opponents. Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apexconyers/ Argue with Josh on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 269
This week we're joined by Edwin "Junny" Ocasio! Fresh off his first world championship win, Junny joins us to expand on a conversation he had with Emily Kwok on The Highest Levels (an ongoing BJJMM Premium podcast). In this episode, Junny explains how he thinks about optimization, when to dig deeper into optimizing an area of his game, and how to avoid over-optimizing. Follow Junny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junny_bjj Subscribe to Junny's YouTube channel: https:/...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 268
