BJJ Mental Models

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 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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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:
https://www.instagram.com/domdabomburmom

Check out Dominyka's art:
https://www.dominyka-art.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

Million Dollar Weekend, by Noah Kagan
https://noahkagan.com/mdwbook/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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 the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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/isuckatjiujitsushow


Resources mentioned in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 227: Designated Winners, feat. Josh McKinney
https://bjj.plus/227

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/

The Purler Way audio course (requires BJJMM Premium)
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/products/the-purler-way-feat-nick-purler/

Headspace
https://www.headspace.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Visualization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/visualization/
  
  
• Hick's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/hicks-law/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/
  
  
• Cognitive Dissonance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/
  
  
• Building Your Triggers
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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 episode:

• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Body Tethering
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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 Course w/ Christian Graugart
https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Grip Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/
  
  
• Priit's 45° Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/priits-45-rule/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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:
https://www.patreon.com/StuartCooperFilms


Resources discussed in this episode:

Less Impressed More Involved — YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ

Demetrious Johnson — YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/135mightymouse


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  
• Types of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/
  
  
• Mirrored Stances
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Overwhelming Force
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
  
  
• Dilemma
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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.instagram.com/jozefchenjj

Watch Jozef on the B Team YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BTeamJiuJitsu


Resources mentioned in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 221: Getting Better Faster, feat. Jozef Chen
https://bjj.plus/221

How Jozef Chen is Changing BJJ — Alec Baulding
https://youtu.be/p0kK1JlC8Gw

BJJMM Ep. 257: Mindset for Betas, feat. Rob Biernacki
https://bjj.plus/257

The Chimp Paradox, by Dr. Steve Peters
https://amzn.to/43xb8Kb

Less Impressed More Involved x BJJMM collab podcast
https://bit.ly/3VwYxoi


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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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):
https://defensivebjj.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Submission Over Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/submission-over-position/
  
  
• Victory by Injury
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/victory-by-injury/
  
  
• Biting Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/biting-mechanics/

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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

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 Pill Project:
https://linktr.ee/thehappypillproject

Support the We Defy Foundation:
https://wedefyfoundation.org/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  

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://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

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