BJJ Mental Models

This week we're joined by Steph Gaudreau!  Steph is a popular strength coach, performance nutritionist, and Jiu-Jitsu athlete.  In this episode, Steph shares her playbook on performance nutrition for "regular people:" those of us who train for fun and not as a profession.

Follow Steph on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/steph_gaudreau/

Steph's website:
https://www.stephgaudreau.com/

Listen to Steph on the Fuel Your Strength Podcast:
https://www.stephgaudreau.com/fuel-your-strength-podcast/

Resources discussed in this episode:

Atomic Habits, by James Clear:
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Scientific Method
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/scientific-method/
  
  
• Certainty Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-bias/
  
  

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 Mandy Schneider!  Mandy is an up-and-coming young competitive Jiu-Jitsu athlete training out of Dallas, Texas.  Despite her young age, she's no stranger to adversity: Mandy has been very vocal about her personal experiences with the dark side of Jiu-Jitsu, including her battles with predatory instructors and mental health.

Recently, Mandy shared that she "lost sight of herself for awhile" due to the pressures from full-time competition and her personal life.  In this episode, Mandy shares her experience and explains how she came back and regained her passion for the sport.

Follow Mandy on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mandynschneider/

Resources discussed in this episode:

The Champion's Mind, by James Afremow
https://amzn.to/46bvvO4

Mindset, by Carol Dweck
https://amzn.to/3qQk7a7

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  
• Mental Gatekeeping
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mental-gatekeeping/
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  
• Law of Contrast
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/law-of-contrast/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
  
  
• Compartmentalization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compartmentalization/
  
  
• Growth Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
  
  

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 Valerie "Valhalla" Worthington!  In addition to being a black belt and OG in women's BJJ, Valerie holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and teaches coaching at Saybrook University.  In this episode, Valerie explains the importance of empathetic thinking for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches and students alike.

Follow Valerie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/worthingtonvalerie/

Email Valerie:
[email protected]

Resources discussed in this episode:

Training Wheels, by Valerie Worthington:
https://amzn.to/43O2cPs

The Platinum Rule, by Tony Alessandra:
https://amzn.to/3CEgUgB

Cody Rhodes on "seeing race:"
https://bit.ly/45Xc1ww

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/
  
  
• The Golden Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
  
  
• Self-Competition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/
  
  

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 Gant Grimes!  Gant is a black belt training out of Red River Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He holds black belts in BJJ, JJJ, and Judo, and has 30 years of martial arts experience.  In this episode, Gant shares his belief that good Jiu-Jitsu looks like a bad marriage: know what makes them happy, and take it away.

Contact Gant:
[email protected]

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• Defense Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox/
  
  
• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Path of Least Resistance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Solid Frames
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-frames/
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
  
  
• Jita Kyoei
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jita-kyoei/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Position Over Submission
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission/
  
  
• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  

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 Jon Thomas!  In this episode, Jon draws on his guard expertise to share mental models and best practices for gripfighting from the bottom.

Follow Jon on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jonthomasbjj/

Subscribe to Jon's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JonThomasBJJ

Check out Jon's website for instructionals:
https://www.jonthomasbjj.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Path of Least Resistance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Controlled Breathing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/
  
  
• Staying Loose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-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/

Welcome to a BRAND NEW podcast for BJJ Mental Models Premium subscribers!  Going forward you'll need to be a BJJMM Premium subscriber to get this podcast, but we're giving you this first episode for free!

We're proud to introduce "Less Impressed More Instructionals," a new premium podcast by Jake Luigi.  Jake is the mind behind Less Impressed More Involved, arguably the best analytical BJJ resource on YouTube.

Once per month, Jake will give you his full recap on the instructionals he's been studying.  Think of this podcast like a Coles Notes or Spark Notes for Jiu-Jitsu instructionals.  Jake will explain the best new instructionals available, the key lessons they teach, and ultimately where he'd recommend them.  This podcast could potentially save you thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours of study time.

In this first episode, Jake talks about his studies into open guard.


Instructionals referenced:

John Danaher:

• New Wave Open Guard Volume 1
• New Wave Open Guard Volume 2

Gordon Ryan:

• Thou Shall Not Pass
• Systematically Attacking From Open Guard Supine Position

Lachlan Giles (SubMeta):

• Open Guard Retention
• Leg Drag Retention

Want more of this podcast?

Sign up for BJJ Mental Models Premium and you'll get the Less Impressed More Instructionals podcast, PLUS all the other Premium perks we offer!  This includes 50+ hours of Jiu-Jitsu audio masterclasses, direct video coaching from our black belt review team, access to the internet's best BJJ community, and tons more perks and freebies.  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 Less Impressed More Involved?

Subscribe to Less Impressed More Involved on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ

Follow Jake Luigi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shorthairedjake/


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 Chris "The Villain" Paines!  Chris is a BJJ Globetrotter and a black belt under Priit Mihkelson.  In this week's episode, Chris shares his strategies for gripfighting from the top.

Watch Chris' viral YouTube video, "How to Defend Everything:"
https://youtu.be/BWitv9AKoNU

Buy Chris' instructionals on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bit.ly/43bQXzW

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

Subscribe to Chris on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisPainesBJJ

Support Chris on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/Vilaobjj

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Phases of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Phases of Passing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-passing/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Center of Gravity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/
  
  
• 3 Joint Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/
  
  
• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  

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 Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth!  Josh is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the head instructor at Apex MMA in Georgia, and a longtime presence on forums like Bullshido and Reddit.  Josh is a small guy in a gym full of giants, and normally competes at light featherweight.  In this episode, Josh shares concepts and strategies for smaller grapplers who want to be effective against much larger opponents.

Troll Josh on Reddit:
https://reddit.com/u/kintanon

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

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Types of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/
  
  
• Body Tethering
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
• Overwhelming Force
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Force Vectors
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/
  
  
• Surface Area
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/surface-area/
  
  
• You Are What You Train
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  

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 James "300" Foster!  James is a 3x black belt masters world champion, 4th degree black belt under Giva Santana, and the head coach at Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He's also a big boy!  In this episode, James shares mental models and training strategies for larger grapplers.

Follow James on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/james300foster/

Subscribe to James' YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@James300Foster

Train with James:
http://fosterbjj.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Phases of Passing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-passing/
  
  
• Layers of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Asymmetric Warfare
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/
  
  
• 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 again by Mike Mahaffey!  In addition to being "the Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu guy," Mike is a black belt under Chris Haueter.  In this episode, Mike shares how all of us (especially us older grapplers) can reduce our risk of injury while remaining effective at Jiu-Jitsu.

Follow Mike on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj/

Listen to Mike's prior appearance on BJJMM:
https://bjj.plus/191

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Short-Term / Long-Term Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/short-term-long-term-paradox/
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  
• Table Selection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Myopia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/
  
  
• Tipping Points
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tipping-points/
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
  
  

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/