BJJ Mental Models

This week we're joined by Shawn Williams!  Shawn is a black belt under Renzo Gracie, and is both a renowned competitor and teacher.  In this episode, Shawn Williams explains his "closed loop" strategy for Jiu-Jitsu, wherein you're always advancing without compromising position.

Follow Shawn on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shawnwilliamsbjj/

Visit Shawn's website:
https://shawnwilliamsbjj.tv/

Visit Shawn's digital academy:
https://jiujitsuedu.com/

Buy Shawn's instructionals:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/shawn-williams

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  
• Windows of Opportunity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity/
  
  
• Form to Leave Form
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/
  
  
• Teach to Learn
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  

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 Anthony "El Toro" Birchak!  Anthony is a UFC, Bellator, and Rizin MMA veteran, as well as a BJJ black belt under Casey Halstead.  In this episode, Anthony draws on his wrestling background to explain the importance of wrestling, both mentally and technically, in Jiu-Jitsu.

Follow Anthony on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/abirchakmma/

Follow Anthony on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyBirchak/

Train with Anthony at 10th Planet Tucson:
https://www.10thplanettucson.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
  
  
• Respect People, Not Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  

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 Alexander Darwin!  Alexander is a black belt at Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is best known as the author of the BJJ-inspired sci-fi/fantasy novel, The Combat Codes.  In this episode, Alexander talks about the ethos of keeping it playful: a statement we've all heard before, but also a philosophy that significantly increases your enjoyment of — and performance in — Jiu-Jitsu over the long term.

Follow Alexander and The Combat Codes on social:
https://www.instagram.com/combatcodes/
https://www.facebook.com/CombatCodes/
https://twitter.com/combatcodes

Read The Combat Codes on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Codes/dp/0316493007

Listen to The Combat Codes on Audible:
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Combat-Codes-Audiobook/B0BJ56BWCQ

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Emotional Contagion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/emotional-contagion/
  
  

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 Shama Ko!  Shama is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Penny Thomas and is best known for her role as Program Director at Girls in Gis.  In this episode, Shama shares advice on the obstacles we encounter in our Jiu-Jitsu journey, and the power of community in overcoming them.

Follow Shama on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shamasko/

Visit the Girls in Gis website:
https://www.girls-in-gis.com/

Follow Girls in Gis on social:
https://www.instagram.com/girlsingis/
https://twitter.com/_girls_in_gis_
https://www.facebook.com/GirlsinGis/

Subscribe to Girls in Gis on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/GirlsinGis

Listen to the Girls in Gis Podcast:
https://www.girls-in-gis.com/girls-in-gis-podcast/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Path of Least Resistance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Permission Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/permission-paradox/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  

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 Shanti Abelha!  Shanti is a multi-time black belt world champion, management consultant, and head coach at Hive BJJ in Copenhagen.  In this episode, Shanti draws upon her business management experience to introduce lean methodologies and explain how they can transfer to skill development in BJJ.

Follow Shanti on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shantibjj/

Train with Shanti at Hive BJJ:
https://hivebjj.com/

Resources discussed in this episode:

Toyota Kata, feat. Mike Rother — YouTube
https://youtu.be/ARbMvYQaRGg

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Shuhari
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Scientific Method
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/scientific-method/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  

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 David Figueroa-Martinez!  David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California.  In this episode, David discusses how Jiu-Jitsu, while not a replacement for therapy, can still be a powerful tool for assisting in trauma recovery.

Follow David on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dfm.2099/

David's website:
https://dfm2099.me/

Dawnbreakers BJJ:
https://www.dawnbreakersbjj.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Emotional Contagion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/emotional-contagion/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• 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/

This week we're joined again by Brandon Mccaghren!  In this episode, Brandon breaks down the concepts behind an essential 10th Planet guard: the lockdown.

Follow Brandon on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brandonmc.ninja/

Subscribe to Brandon's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@brandonmcninja

Get Brandon's lockdown instructional at BMAC academy:
https://bmac.mykajabi.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
  
  
• Myopia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/
  
  
• Shuhari
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Center of Gravity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• First Principles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
  
  

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 Dr. Nate Zinsser!  Nate shares the confidence-building guidance from his essential book, The Confident Mind.

Get Nate's book, The Confident Mind:
https://www.natezinsser.com/book

Nate's website:
https://www.natezinsser.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Growth Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
  
  
• Mental Gatekeeping
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mental-gatekeeping/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
  
  
• Flow
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/flow/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Law of Contrast
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/law-of-contrast/
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/
  
  
• Technique Visualization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-visualization/
  
  
• Reflecting "As If"
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reflecting-as-if/
  
  
• Permission Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/permission-paradox/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Plus, Minus, Equals
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/
  
  

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 Priit Mihkelson!  In this episode, Priit explains recent developments in what he calls "sideways open guard:" a supine guard where your body is tilted to the side.  It's an emerging position being used by competitors such as Lachlan Giles.

Follow Priit on social:
https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson/
https://www.facebook.com/priit.mihkelson/

Sideways Open Guard — BJJ Fanatics:
https://bit.ly/46HGUFi

Defensive BJJ:
https://www.defensivebjj.com/


Resources referenced in this episode:

Jon Thomas Instagram reels:
https://bit.ly/3JK95cP
https://bit.ly/3D1tVkq

André Galvão vs. Braulio Estima, ADCC 2013
https://youtu.be/Gui5wWJA4gI

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Seated vs. Supine Guards
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/seated-vs-supine-guards/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Funneling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
  
  

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 Greg Sirico!  Greg is a Marcelo Garcia black belt and is the head instructor at Odyssey BJJ in Atlanta, Georgia.  In this episode, Greg explains how regular folks who aren't BJJ celebrities or world champions can build successful and thriving Jiu-Jitsu careers.

Follow Greg on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gregsirico/

Follow Odyssey BJJ on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/odysseyjiujitsu/

Odyssey BJJ website:
https://odysseybjj.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Double Down on Strengths
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-down-on-strengths/
   
• Respect People, Not Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
  
  
• Solid Foundation, Flexible Perimeter
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-foundation-flexible-perimeter/
  
  

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/