BJJ Mental Models

This week, we're joined by Jesse Phillips! Jesse is a BJJ black belt under Brian Johnson and the head coach at Gentle Giant Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Jesse explores burnout in martial arts and real life, often caused by the crushing weight of personal expectations that we place upon ourselves.

Follow Jesse on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gentlegiantjiujitsu

Train with Jesse at Gentle Giant Jiu-Jitsu in Seattle, WA:
https://www.gg-jj.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition
  
  
• Compartmentalization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compartmentalization
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the idea of learning modalities. The old concept of "learning styles" has been debunked; here's what we use instead.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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In this episode of State of the Meta, Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles takes center stage as Drew breaks down ONE Fight Night 38’s generational clash. He explores each legend’s style, career arc, and signature weapons (from Marcelo’s pressure, wrestle-ups, and guillotines to Giles’ K-guard leg-lock traps), while examining age narratives, meta trends, and realistic paths to victory for both icons.

This free bonus episode is from Drew Foster's excellent State of the Meta podcast, exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium!

Watch Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles on ONE Fight Night 38:
https://www.onefc.com/events/onefightnight38


Resources discussed in this episode:

Longform Marcelo Garcia game breakdown:
https://youtu.be/GzLx2PgI9zw

Marcelo Garcia comeback match:
https://youtu.be/jPQdaNkx3ps

Lachlan Giles' famous ADCC run:
https://youtu.be/KoPxgjLbJmA

Lachlan Giles breaking down Marcelo Garcia passing:
https://youtu.be/bbjdRwWiQgk

Lachlan Giles highlights:
https://youtu.be/o_qsoJeroNg

Marcelo Garcia highlights:
https://youtu.be/PkgR767YgFk


Need more Drew Foster?

Follow Drew Foster on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drewdarce

Listen to Drew on The Neon Belly Podcast:
https://theneonbelly.buzzsprout.com/

Check out Drew's contributions on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/user/Darce_Knight/

Get Drew's instructionals:
http://darcedynamics.com/


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The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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This week, we're joined by BJJ and Judo black belt, Dr. Chris Round! Chris is the Executive Director at Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity, and Rights (MASTERs). In this episode, Chris explains the helpful gripfighting scorecard from his Tactical Grip Fighting system.

Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chris__circle

Learn about Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity, and Rights (MASTERs):
https://www.martialartsforsocialgood.org

Get Chris' instructional, Tactical Grip Fighting:
https://tacticalgripfighting.com


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics
  
  
• Goodhart’s Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles
  
  
• Kinetic Chains
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains
  
  
• Countergripping
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/countergripping
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control
  
  
• Crossing the Center
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/crossing-the-center
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of defending with purpose: making sure that when you defend, you do so with the intent of advancing position, not just surviving the attack.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined again by Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris explores the tension between digital and real-world Jiu-Jitsu learning. Topics include: the limits of instructionals, the value of in-person training, communication challenges in teaching, and how grapplers can balance study with mat time.

Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik

Get Chris' instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_chris-wojcik

Subscribe to The Grappler's Diary on Substack:
https://thegrapplersdiary.substack.com

Buy Chris' book, A Grappler's Diary:
https://amazon.com/dp/B0DS1J794V


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques
  
  
• Open Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/open-knowledge
  
  
• Learning Modalities
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission
  
  
• Analysis Paralysis
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/analysis-paralysis
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention
  
  
• You Are What You Train
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of respecting your opponent: not only for moral reasons, but because it leads to better grappling outcomes.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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This week, we're joined by 10th Planet standout Keith Krikorian! In this episode, Keith shares his thoughts on mental health, community, and staying grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. Keith shares how Jiu-Jitsu builds confidence, connection, and emotional resilience, why the sport attracts so many unique personalities, and how gratitude transformed both his mindset and his game.

Follow Keith on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/keithkrikorian


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort
  
  
• Compartmentalization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compartmentalization
  
  
• Abundance Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the race to the bottom: a pricing phenomenon where we drive prices so low that they become unsustainable. This concept is critical to understand for any Jiu-Jitsu business.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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This week, we're joined by Mat Made founder Kenny Kim! In this episode, Kenny discusses how to build deeper connections and stronger communities through Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: creating lasting engagement at gyms, growing authentic online followings, using storytelling to inspire others, overcoming imposter syndrome, building consistency, and leading with purpose.

Follow Kenny on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kennykimbjj

The Jiu-Jitsu Millionaire, by Kenny Kim:
https://a.co/d/fZghu0a

Mat Made (book), by Kenny Kim:
https://amazon.com/dp/B09231HG4R

Mat Made show & gym finder:
https://matmade.com

Train at Kenny Kim BJJ in Marietta, GA:
https://kennykimbjj.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

The Influence Continuum:
https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/influence-continuum


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Continuum of Motivation
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation
  
  
• Inertia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inertia
  
  
• Impostor Syndrome
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/impostor-syndrome
  
  
• Timeframe Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/timeframe-paradox
  
  
• Third Place
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/third-place
  
  
• Permission Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/permission-paradox
  
  
• Advice Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/advice-paradox
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com