BJJ Mental Models

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 Emily on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj/

Follow Joe on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/


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 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 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj


Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 121: Kegan's Theory of Adult Development, feat. David Zeitler
https://bjj.plus/121

Polarity Management, by Barry Johnson
https://amzn.to/3PpPMsp


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Staying Loose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Shuhari
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• Force Compression
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-compression/
  
  

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 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/5-WKLUfG2H4

Watch Rob use the roadhouse choke in competition:
https://youtu.be/1AyB89AzkDs

Buy Rob's roadhouse choke instructional:
https://bjjconcepts.net/roadhouse

Follow Rob on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Choking Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/choking-mechanics/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Opening Salvos
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/
  
  

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 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 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/

Use code THANKYOU for 50% off your first month!


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 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://xcal.com/

Check out David's instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/all/fighter_dave-porter


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Tokui Waza
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/
  
  
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
  
  
• Naming Concepts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/naming-concepts/
  
  

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 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://yogaforbjj.net/join_us

Become a Yoga for BJJ instructor:
https://yogaforbjj.teachable.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Controlled Breathing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/
  
  
• 80/20 Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/80-20-rule/
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Pattern Interrupts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  

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, 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 An Effective Guard Passer (No Gi), by John Danaher
https://bit.ly/3wnnXKz

Longstep Masterclass, by Tainan Dalpra
https://bit.ly/42YJSEh


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Staying Loose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  
• Constant and Variable Tension
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constant-and-variable-tension/
  
  
• Force Compression
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-compression/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Seated vs. Supine Guards
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/seated-vs-supine-guards/
  
  
• Layers of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Phases of Passing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-passing/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  

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 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://erinherle.com/

Feb 25 2024: Train with Kristina & Erin in Queens NY!
https://www.girls-in-gis.com/events/
(Event is a fundraiser in support of Shama Ko, Program Director at Girls in Gis, during her battle with cancer)


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
   
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  

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 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://bellinghambjj.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

The 3 Joint Rule — BJJ Mental Models
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/

Creating Gym Culture (requires BJJMM Premium)
https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/products/creating-gym-culture-feat-jeff-shaw


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• 3 Joint Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Double Trouble
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-trouble/
  
  

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 "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/kintanon

Train with Josh at Apex MMA:
https://www.apexconyers.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

Jiu-Jitsu for Hobbits, feat. Josh Wentworth (requires BJJMM Premium):
https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/products/jiu-jitsu-for-hobbits-feat-josh-kintanon-wentworth

BJJMM Camp 2023 recorded sessions (requires BJJMM Premium):
https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/products/camps-seminars

Josh's Knee Shield Half Guard instructionals:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/kneeshieldhalf (Gi)
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/kneeshieldnogi (No gi)


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Surface Area
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/
  
  
• Leading Edges
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/leading-edges/
  
  

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/