BJJ Mental Models

This week we're joined again by 3x world champ and Marcelo Garcia black belt, Emily Kwok!  Fresh off winning the 2022 Pans, Emily joins us to talk about what it's like to compete after the age of 40.  A great chat about what competition looks like as you get older, take on more responsibilities, become more concerned about your health, and achieve a broader life perspective.

Emily's website:
https://emilykwok.com/

Emily’s Instagram:
https://instagram.com/emilykwokbjj/

Emily's podcast, The Master & The Apprentice:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1933788


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Short-term/Long-term Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/short-term-long-term-paradox/
  
  
• Abundance Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/
  
  
• Loss Aversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion/
  
  
• Defensive Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/
  
  
• Solid Foundation, Flexible Perimeter
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-foundation-flexible-perimeter/
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  

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://premium.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 Sonia Sillan!  Sonia is a black belt under Hannette Staack and is the owner of Combat Arts Academy of Seattle.  In this episode, Sonia shares her honest advice on how to build a BJJ business.  Topics include financing, business partners, affiliations, customer onboarding, customer contracts, trial classes, class safety, and volunteers vs. employees.

Sonia's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/soniasillan/

Combat Arts Academy Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/combatartsacademy/

Combat Arts Academy website:
https://caaseattle.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  
• Stress & Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  
• Respect People, Not Positions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/
  
  
• Abundance Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/
  
  
• 80/20 Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/80-20-rule/
  
  
• Loss Aversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion/
  
  

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://premium.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 Malachy Friedman!  Malachy breaks down mental models for the knee shield half guard.

Get Malachy's knee shield instructionals on Jiu Jitsu X:
https://jiujitsux.com/profile/malachyf/

Malachy's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/malachyfriedman/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Funneling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling/
  
  
• Solid Foundation, Flexible Perimeter
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-foundation-flexible-perimeter/
  
  
• Critical Control Points
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/critical-control-points/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
  
  
• Placeholders
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/placeholders/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Waypoints
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/waypoints/
  
  
• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• 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://premium.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 Ryan Hurst!  Ryan is the head coach at GMB Fitness, the creators of the popular Elements program for strength & flexibility.  In this episode, Ryan introduces GMB's concepts for expanding your range of motion, shares tips on injury prevention, and explains why most BJJ warmups are suboptimal.

GMB on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/GMBFitnessSkills

GMB's Website:
https://gmb.io/

GMB on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gmbfitness/

Contact GMB:
[email protected]


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/
  
  
• Solid Frames
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-frames/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/
  
  
• Goodhart’s Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law/
  
  
• 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://premium.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 Micah Brakefield!  Micah holds dual BJJ black belts under Don Whitefield and Nabil Salameh, and is the head coach at 10th Planet Etobicoke.  Micah joins us to discuss the importance of unorthodoxy and creativity in Jiu-Jitsu.

Micah's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/micahbrakefield/

Micah’s Twitter:
https://mobile.twitter.com/micahbrakefield/

Train with Micah at 10th Planet Etobicoke:
https://10thplanetetobicoke.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Idea Communism
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Short-term/Long-term Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/short-term-long-term-paradox/
  
  
• Pattern Interrupts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts/
  
  
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Keep It Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Table Selection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection/
  
  

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://premium.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!  Following up on a previous episode, Rob introduces Island Top Team's proprietary system for constraint-based training.  He calls it "F**k Your Jiu-Jitsu," because he's Rob Biernacki, so of course he does.  FYJJ has four categories: sweeping, passing, top control, and submission control.

BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net/

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


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Constraints-Led Approach:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach/
  
  
• Training Handicaps:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps/
  
  
• Pattern Interrupts:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts/
  
  
• Center of Gravity:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity/
  
  
• Keep it Playful:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Phases of Guard:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/
  
  
• Tipping Points:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tipping-points/
  
  
• Growth From Discomfort:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Prevention Over Cure:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Investing in Loss:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Staying Loose:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  
• Inertia:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inertia/
  
  
• Yes, and...:
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/yes-and/
  
  

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://premium.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 Robert Drysdale!  Robert brings his extensive experience, both as an elite grappler and historian, to discuss the BJJ "generation gap" and how he's witnessed the art evolve.  A really insightful conversation about the importance of history, the evolution of coaching, how rulesets have changed the sport, and fundamentals vs. trends.

Opening Closed Guard - the book & film:
https://www.closedguardfilm.com/

Robert's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/robertdrysdalejj/

Coolness versus Efficiency: The Crisis in Jiu-Jitsu, by Robert Drysdale:
https://bit.ly/3NUXTtY

How to Win at Jiu-Jitsu while Keeping it Real, by Robert Drysdale:
https://bit.ly/3aZytgc


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
  
  
• Extreme Ownership
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/
  
  
• Path of Least Resistance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/
  
  
• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Short-term/Long-term Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/short-term-long-term-paradox/
  
  

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://premium.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 Matt Kirtley!  Matt, better known by his internet handle Aesopian, is a lead moderator on Reddit's /r/bjj and an instructor at Inverted Gear Academy.  During the day, he's also a web development and search engine optimization (SEO) specialist.

In this episode, Matt draws on his BJJ and SEO experience to share some website best practices for BJJ gyms.  We talk about website hosting services, gym management software, email, digital security, hiring a developer, domain names, SEO, essential website elements, appointment booking, blogs, analytics, and Google reviews.  Hopefully, this episode serves as a helpful playbook for the gym owners, instructors, and administrators out there.

Inverted Gear Academy:
https://invertedgearacademy.com/

Matt's website, Aesopian BJJ:
https://aesopian.com/

White Belt Questions, Black Belt Answers — YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Q9Mx1oMuBw1VRa5OVaAl97FwdhhctnK

Inverted Gear:
https://www.invertedgear.com/

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://premium.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 Brandon Mccaghren!  Brandon is a 10th Planet black belt under Eddie Bravo and the head instructor at 10th Planet Decatur.  In this episode, Brandon explains the concepts behind the rubber guard, how it integrates into a more conventional gameplan, and why we haven't seen much rubber guard success in high-level competition.

Brandon's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brandonmc.ninja/

Rubber Guard: The Meathook by Brandon McCaghren — BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/products/rubber-guard-the-meathook-by-brandon-mccaghren

BMAC Academy:
https://bmac.mykajabi.com/

Brandon's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7VU0Cnef4AhQk7Pe_9nTA


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Types of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Dominant Angles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Myopia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/
  
  
• Path of Least Resistance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• 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://premium.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 fan favorites Rob Biernacki & Stephan Kesting!  Rob and Stephan's newest instructional, "BJJ for Old F***s," explains concepts and tactics for safe and effective Jiu-Jitsu as you age.  We dig into their ideas in this episode.  A great listen for older grapplers, or anyone concerned about maximizing safety and effectiveness.

Get the instructional here:

BJJ for Old F***s: How to Defeat the Younger, More Athletic Opponent
By Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting
https://grapplearts.com/oldguard


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Survivorship Bias
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  
• Seated vs. Supine Guards
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/seated-vs-supine-guards/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Phases of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/
  
  
• Single vs. Double Lever Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/single-vs-double-lever-control/
  
  
• Body Tethering
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/
  
  
• 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://premium.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/