This week, Rob Biernacki is back! In this episode, Rob explains the 90/90: a yoga-style "pigeon pose" position ideal for defending leglocks and getting to the running man escape (AKA the "Captain Morgan").

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

Train with Rob at Island Top Team in Nanaimo, BC:
https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteambjj
https://islandtopteam.com

Learn online with Rob at BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• 3 Joint Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule
  
  
• Knee Line
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/knee-line
  
  
• Myopia
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia
  
  
• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure
  
  
• Universal Defenses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/universal-defenses
  
  
• Proximal and Distal Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/proximal-and-distal-control
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we tackle impostor syndrome: the common (but false) belief that you are unworthy of your rank or accomplishments.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


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The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined by Cal Jones! A 32-year grappling veteran with a master's in advanced coaching practice, Cal is one of the most recognized voices in the constraints-led approach (CLA) space. In this episode, Cal breaks down why the quality of your reps matters more than the quantity and how to design training that actually transfers to competition. Topics include: repetition and representation, the PVCT model (a framework for layering increasingly representative training tasks), perception-action coupling, invariants in BJJ, open mat intention, and the role of fun and confidence in long-term skill development.

Follow Cal on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/calwjones

Connect with Cal for consulting:
https://calendly.com/calumwalkerjones/consultancy


Resources discussed in this episode:

Ecological Dynamics in Sport Coaching: An Essential Guide, by Steve M. Smith:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWCTGND5


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Invariants
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants
  
  
• Perception-Action Coupling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention
  
  
  

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The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss kinetic chains: a concept from mechanical engineering and physiology that explains how movement in our joints affects the other joints in that limb. Kinetic chains are open when the hand/foot is unconnected, or closed when connected to a surface.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined again by Margot Ciccarelli! In this episode, Margot shares mindset advice on staying present and escaping the mental trap of "anticipating" negative outcomes. Margot covers important mental reframing topics like fear, hesitation, our internal dialogue, intentional exposure, pattern interrupts, and rhythm changes.

Follow Margot on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/margotciccarelli

Margot's mindset coach, Dr. Frazer Atkinson @ Kaizen:
https://kaizenmp.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 131: Movement Vocabulary, feat. Margot Ciccarelli
https://bjj.plus/131


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Acute Stress Response
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/acute-stress-response
• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness
• Emotional Contagion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/emotional-contagion
• Reframing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reframing
• Pattern Interrupts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses
• External Cues
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/external-cues
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this bonus episode for BJJ business owners, we're joined again by David Bayarena! David is a BJJ black belt, a longtime BJJMM community member, and the founder of RONIN: a financial planning & training firm specialized in working with Jiu-Jitsu gyms.

This conversation focuses on how BJJ gym owners can survive economic volatility and build real wealth, not just create a job for themselves. Topics include: cash flow discipline, break-even analysis, liquidity reserves, entity structure (LLCs vs. S-Corps), tax strategy, insurance protection, inflation, and smart use of leverage.

Email David:
[email protected]

Work with David at RONIN Wealth:
https://www.roninwealth.com


Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 303: Building Wealth in BJJ, feat. David Bayarena
https://bjj.plus/303


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
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Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss plus, minus, equals: a team-based training concept often attributed to UFC legend Frank Shamrock. It teaches that you get the best results when training with a combination of people who are better than you (the "pluses"), worse than you (the "minuses"), and on par with you (the "equals").

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined again by Lachlan Giles for a deep rethink of what "fundamentals" really mean in modern Jiu-Jitsu. Rather than treating fundamentals as a fixed list of techniques, Lachlan argues they should be defined by goals, rulesets, and outcomes. He explains why competitors may benefit more from guard retention and winning early exchanges than from late-stage escapes, how mindset and time allocation shape development, and why specialization often beats chasing the meta.

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

Train with Lachlan at Absolute MMA in St. Kilda, Australia:
https://absolutemma.com.au

Learn online with Lachlan at SUBMETA (seriously, do it):
https://submeta.io


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance
  
  
• Opening Salvos
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos
  
  
• Win Conditions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions
  
  
• Defense Paradox
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox
  
  
• Layers of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard
  
  
• Prevention Over Cure
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure
  
  
• Funneling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling
  
  
• Zone of Genius
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius
  
  
• Shuhari
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss momentum and its underappreciated importance to Jiu-Jitsu. Momentum is the product of mass times velocity. Beginners tend to ignore momentum and attempt techniques from a dead stop, which reduces their likelihood of success.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

This week, we're joined by Andrew Green! Andrew is the creator of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Playbook and a 25-year veteran of martial arts coaching. In this episode, Andrew teaches what truly makes a great kids coach: understanding developmental stages, emotional regulation, building culture, motivating engagement, working effectively with parents, why kids can’t be coached like "mini adults," how life skills outweigh medals, and what gyms can do to create safer, more sustainable, and more impactful youth programs.

Follow Andrew on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/innovativemartialartswpg

Train with Andrew at Innovative Martial Arts in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
https://winnipegmartialarts.ca

Check out The Kids Jiu-Jitsu Playbook (there's a free version):
https://www.skool.com/kids-jiu-jitsu-playbook


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification
  
  
  

⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

Follow us on social:
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com