BJJ Mental Models
Your guide to a conceptual and intelligent Jiu-Jitsu approach. BJJ black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests explain the concepts, strategies, and tactics behind the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Episodes
This week, we're joined by Jesse Phillips! Jesse is a BJJ black belt under Brian Johnson and the head coach at Gentle Giant Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Jesse explores burnout in martial arts and real life, often caused by the crushing weight of personal expectations that we place upon ourselves.
Follow Jesse on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gentlegiantjiujitsu
Train with Jesse at Gentle Giant Jiu-...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the idea of learning modalities. The old concept of "learning styles" has been debunked; here's what we use instead.
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The world's LARGEST library of Jiu-Jitsu audio lessons, our complete podc...
In this episode of State of the Meta, Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles takes center stage as Drew breaks down ONE Fight Night 38’s generational clash. He explores each legend’s style, career arc, and signature weapons (from Marcelo’s pressure, wrestle-ups, and guillotines to Giles’ K-guard leg-lock traps), while examining age narratives, meta trends, and realistic paths to victory for both icons.
This free bonus episode is ...
This week, we're joined by BJJ and Judo black belt, Dr. Chris Round! Chris is the Executive Director at Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity, and Rights (MASTERs). In this episode, Chris explains the helpful gripfighting scorecard from his Tactical Grip Fighting system.
Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chris__circle
Learn about Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity, ...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of defending with purpose: making sure that when you defend, you do so with the intent of advancing position, not just surviving the attack.
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 les...
This week, we're joined again by Chris Wojcik! In this episode, Chris explores the tension between digital and real-world Jiu-Jitsu learning. Topics include: the limits of instructionals, the value of in-person training, communication challenges in teaching, and how grapplers can balance study with mat time.
Follow Chris on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrismwojcik
Get Chris' instructionals o...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of respecting your opponent: not only for moral reasons, but because it leads to better grappling outcomes.
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 networ...
This week, we're joined by 10th Planet standout Keith Krikorian! In this episode, Keith shares his thoughts on mental health, community, and staying grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. Keith shares how Jiu-Jitsu builds confidence, connection, and emotional resilience, why the sport attracts so many unique personalities, and how gratitude transformed both his mindset and his game.
Follow Keith on Instagram:
...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the race to the bottom: a pricing phenomenon where we drive prices so low that they become unsustainable. This concept is critical to understand for any Jiu-Jitsu business.
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 J...
This week, we're joined by Mat Made founder Kenny Kim! In this episode, Kenny discusses how to build deeper connections and stronger communities through Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: creating lasting engagement at gyms, growing authentic online followings, using storytelling to inspire others, overcoming imposter syndrome, building consistency, and leading with purpose.
Follow Kenny on Instagram:
https://www.instagr...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss how the torso and levers become points of control. With torso control, we clamp or hook onto our opponent's torso so we can hold them in position or rotate around them. With lever control, we use our opponent's arms, legs, and/or head to create leverage. Attacking a single lever usually affords more force, whereas attacking multiple levers simultaneously usually affords more co...
This week, we're joined again by "Silver Fox" Karel Pravec! In this episode, Karel explores one of Jiu-Jitsu's most underrated submissions: the omoplata. Karel explains why the omoplata is so effective as both a sweep and control position, how to chain between parallel and perpendicular omoplatas, and why it excels against bigger opponents.
Follow Karel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silver...
In this week's mini-episode, we introduce the last mile problem, which explains why it gets harder to achieve our goals as we near the end (or "last mile"). The last mile problem is commonly caused by complexity, complacency, consistency, or confidence.
Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro
⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premi...
This week, we're joined by Stephan Kesting! In this episode, Stephan teaches the Kimura as both a submission and a positional system: its ancient origins, key positional variations, and how it functions as a control framework rather than just a finishing move. Topics include finishing mechanics, leverage physics, the "fat old lazy man" Kimura, and Kesting’s new instructional, The Kimura Roadmap.
Follow Steph...
In this week's mini-episode, we introduce the four types of guard: hook, clamp, frame, and hybrid. Every guard in Jiu-Jitsu can be classified into one of these types.
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 ne...
This week, we're joined again by Josh McKinney! In this episode, Josh explains how to structure the perfect Jiu-Jitsu competition camp. Topics include: offense vs. defense days, performance days, intensity vs. recovery, overtraining, saying no to unsafe rolls, and advice for non-competitors.
Follow Josh McKinney on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmckinney
Train with Josh at HeadNod HQ in Grani...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the concept of the knee line: an imaginary line connecting your two knees. When the two points of this line combine with your groin, these three points create a triangle. That triangle is the basis for how we use our legs to clamp or wedge our opponent in place.
To clamp or wedge their body part in place with your knees, it should be inside your knee+knee+groin triangle. To prev...
This week, we're joined by Mike Mahaffey (Old Bastard BJJ) and Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ)! Mike and Jesse explain the "old bastard" style of closed guard: a way to play the position without relying on strength, speed, or athleticism.
Follow Mike Mahaffey:
https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj
https://threads.com/@oldbastardbjj
Follow Jesse Walker:
https://instagram.com/roughhandsbjj
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the curse of knowledge: a cognitive bias explaining why it's hard for experts to relate to beginners.
Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro
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In this episode, Rob Biernacki confronts a growing trend of competitors refusing to tap and taking serious injuries at low-level tournaments. Rob argues that reckless "tough-guy" behavior, poor finishing mechanics, and bad coaching culture are fueling unnecessary damage for hobbyists. Rob calls for smarter, safer training values, reminding athletes that protecting longevity matters more than risking ligaments for a $5 med...
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