BJJ Mental Models

This week we're joined again by Lachlan Giles!  In this episode, Lachlan talks about the philosophy of self-organization, where students take ownership of their own learning journey.  We also touch on use cases for Lachlan's amazing platform SUBMETA and his thoughts on ecological dynamics in BJJ.

Learn with Lachlan on SUBMETA:
https://submeta.io/

Follow Lachlan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lachlan_giles/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Self-Organization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization/
  
  
• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  

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!  Rob is fresh off an amazing performance at ADCC Open Canada 2023, where he won gold in the Masters division and Island Top Team took the #1 overall adult team rating.  What makes this so impressive is that in addition to being a small team, they're also mostly hobbyists.

In this episode, Rob breaks down his competition mindset: a rejection of the "alpha" tropes we see all over social media.  Rob's approach is about trusting in your training, being comfortable with the work done, yielding to the possibility of loss, and identifying as perseverant.

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

Join Rob's online academy, BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Cognitive Dissonance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  

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 Stephan Kesting!  In this episode, the legendary Grapplearts instructor breaks down key concepts from his latest instructional, Rolling Backtakes for Everyone.

Follow Stephan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Dope Mount, The Easiest Way to Get to the Mount —Stephan Kesting
https://youtu.be/hhZx5ZFhSQw

Rolling Backtakes for Everyone, by Stephan Kesting
https://www.grapplearts.com/rolling-backtakes-for-everyone/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Critical Control Points
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  

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 Chris Wojcik!  Chris is a black belt under Jeff Serafin, an accomplished competitor, and the writer of the popular BJJ newsletter The Grappler's Diary.

In this episode, Chris talks about the evolving standup game in competition Jiu-Jitsu, involving a hybrid of wrestling, Judo, and BJJ.

Subscribe to the Grappler's Diary on Substack:
https://chrismwojcik.substack.com/

Get Chris' free ebook:
https://christophermwojcik.com/learn-bjj-faster/

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


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  
• Tokui Waza
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza/
  
  

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 Drew Foster!  Drew Foster is a black belt instructor at Elevate MMA in North Carolina, the host of The Neon Belly Podcast, and a frequent contributor on /r/bjj under the alias Darce_Knight.

In this episode, Drew discusses a topic we've wanted to get into for a long time: impostor syndrome.  Oxford Dictionary defines impostor syndrome as "the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills."

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/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Double Down on Strengths
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-down-on-strengths/
  
  
• Respect People, Not Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
• Reflecting "As If"
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reflecting-as-if/
  
  
• Loss Aversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  

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/

In this episode, we're joined by Joe Hannan!  Joe is a BJJ black belt under Emily Kwok, the founder of BJJ Meditations, and the co-host of The Highest Levels on BJJ Mental Models Premium.  In this episode, Joe discusses the importance of finding meaning in your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

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

Listen to the BJJ Meditations Podcast:
https://www.bjjmeditations.com/podcast

Subscribe to BJJ Meditations on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@bjjmeditations3786

Visit the BJJ Meditations website:
https://www.bjjmeditations.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkin:
https://www.joshwaitzkin.com/the-art-of-learning

Awakening from the Meaning Crisis, by John Vervaeke:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  

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/

In this episode, Brother Matt joins us to discuss his coaching experience with ecological dynamics and drilling.  We also get into whether the discourse surrounding the ecological approach in Jiu-Jitsu is productive or toxic.

Check out The Essential Jiu-Jitsu Podcast with Brother Matt:
https://ejjp.show/

Subscribe to EJJP on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@TheEssentialJiuJitsuPodcast

Check out the On Guard online academy:
https://onguardbjj.com/

Zara Can Do Jiu-Jitsu:
https://amzn.to/46tACIH

Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM episode 206 feat. Dr. Rob Gray:
https://bjj.plus/206

How We Learn to Move, by Dr. Rob Gray:
https://amzn.to/3E5tg1o


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
  
  
• Interleaving
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/interleaving/
  
  
• You Are What You Train
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train/
  
  
• Effortful Retrieval
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval/
  
  
• Differential Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/differential-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/

This week we're joined by Kristian Woodmansee!  Kristian is a black belt under André Galvão, the founder of Logic BJJ Online, and the head instructor at Logic Philly.  In this episode, Kristian explains his ladder system for guard passing: a simple concept that helps anyone better understand best practices for passing the guard.

Follow Kristian on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/logicbjjonline/

Subscribe to Logic BJJ Online:
https://logicbjjonline.com/

Train with Kristian at Logic Philly:
https://logicphilly.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
   
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
  
  
• Grip Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/
  
  
• Phases of Passing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-passing/
  
  
• Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inversion/
  
  
• Funneling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/
  
  

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 Riley Stearns!  Riley is a BJJ black belt under Shawn Williams, and a film director best known for The Art of Self-Defense, starring Jesse Eisenberg.  In this episode, Riley shares his advice on achieving work-life balance, and how to maximize your enjoyment of Jiu-Jitsu without letting it take over your life.

Follow Riley on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rileystearns/

Check out Riley's Jiu-Jitsu project, Hobbyist:
https://www.instagram.com/hobbyistinc/

Watch Riley's films:

The Art of Self-Defense:
https://bit.ly/3Zdncy7 (HBO Max)
https://bit.ly/3t01bqc (Apple TV)

Faults:
https://bit.ly/3PcjpfT (Amazon Prime)

Dual:
https://bit.ly/3RlT9Cw (Hulu)


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• First Principles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Teach to Learn
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
  
  

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/

• Table Selection
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• Kaizen
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Shuhari
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Do What Works
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Building Your Triggers
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers/