BJJ Mental Models

This week Steve and Matt discuss kuzushi, the Japanese art of balance breaking.Mental models discussed in this episode:Kuzushihttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/Path of Least Resistancehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/Technique Chaininghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/Types of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/Microtransitionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/Staying Loose... Read more

In the final episode of our instructor series, Steve & Matt shed light on the ugly side of Jiu-Jitsu and the instructors' responsibilities to create a healthy training environment.  Topics include issues with your students, gym drama, cult mentality, and harassment.A huge thank you to Matt Kirtley, AKA Aesopian, for his detailed research into cults that contributed to this episode.Mental models discussed in this episode:Ex... Read more

Steve and Matt discuss the business relationships and networking activities critical to running a successful gym.  Topics include skill swapping, building logistics, the competitive landscape, neighbouring businesses, privates, seminars, workshops, open mats, tournaments, managing your own promotions, sponsorships, and social media conduct.Mental models discussed in this episode:Abundance Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/abu... Read more

Once you've opened your gym, how do maintain and grow your membership base?  Steve and Matt discuss lead generation, advertising, merchandising, social media, websites, designing your schedule, and retaining students.Mental models discussed in this episode:Investing in Losshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Abundance Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/We maintain an online database of the mental mo... Read more

In the second episode of the instructor series, Steve and Matt discuss Matt's experience opening a gym.  They cover what's involved in making the decision, the qualifications required, targeting your customers, hidden costs, the path to profitability, and affiliation.  A must-listen for anyone interested in moving into Jiu-Jitsu as their full-time career.Mental models discussed in this episode:Habits over Resultshttps://b... Read more

Today marks the first of a new five-part series on BJJ Mental Models: the instructor series!  We're going to cover topics relevant to instructors and gym owners.Today's topic is coaching, and we're going to discuss: going from practitioner to coach, teaching class, one-on-one instruction, coaching children, coaching tournaments, and teaching seminars.Mental models discussed in this episode:Beginner's Mindhttps://bjjmentalmodel... Read more

As the old saying goes, "the bigger they are, the harder they cross-face you from side control."  This week Steve and Matt discuss the perils of fighting larger opponents.Mental models discussed in this episode:Do What Workshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Investing in Losshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjm... Read more

As the saying goes, if you don't lose you'll eventually win.  This week's episode discusses strategies for surviving bad positions like side control, knee on belly, mount, and back mount.Mental models discussed in this episode:Alignmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/Alignment vs Positionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/Defend with Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/Limb C... Read more

They call it your Jiu-Jitsu journey for a reason.  Steve and Matt explain how to stay healthy and motivated for decades.Mental models discussed in this episode:Prioritize Longevityhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/Stress and Recoveryhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Consistencyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/Feedback Loophttps://bjjme... Read more

Setbacks in your Jiu-Jitsu journey are inevitable.  This week Steve and Matt discuss the strategies and mental models for dealing with setbacks, including injuries and life changes.Mental models discussed in this episode:Training Handicapshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps/Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Extreme Ownershiphttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/Beginner's Mindhttps://b... Read more

In the final episode of our three-part guard series, Matt and Steve discuss the retention phase, where grapplers make their final attempts to prevent a guard pass.Mental models discussed in this episode:Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Layers of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard/Limb Coilinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/Elbow-Knee Connectionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-c... Read more

In the second episode of our three-part guard series, Matt and Steve discuss the maintenance phase, where both grapplers attempt to secure a passing or submission opportunity.Mental models discussed in this episode:Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Types of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/Layers of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard/Theory of Alignmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.co... Read more

Introducing the first in a three-part series on the guard!  This week Steve and Matt discuss the engagement phase, where first contact is made and the grip battle is fought.Mental models discussed in this episode:Phases of Guardhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/phases-of-guard/Controlling the Distancehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/Dictate the Pacehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/Train with Purposeht... Read more

Steve and Matt discuss Force Vectors and Leading Edges.  These mental models are critical to maintaining your guard once you've lost the grip fight, or engagement phase.Mental models discussed in this episode:Force Vectorshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-vectors/Core Mechanicshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/Solid Frameshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/solid-frames/Limb Coilinghttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/Con... Read more

Steve & Matt discuss Joe Peters' upcoming lawsuit against Marcus Soares.  Joe is suing Marcus due to injuries sustained competing in his tournament.  The results of this lawsuit could have broad ramifications to future Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.Article about the lawsuit:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jiu-jitsu-waivers-1.5042941Court filing:https://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/19/01/2019BCSC0189cor1.htm... Read more

We've learned a lot since episode one.  Steve and Matt issue some very important corrections to prior episodes.  Listen and learn, this episode is 100% TRUTH.We maintain an online database of the mental models governing Jiu-Jitsu at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/

Steve & Matt do a deep dive into Josh Waitzkin's book, the Art of Learning.Mental models discussed in this episode:Respect People, not Positionshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/Growth Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/Do What Workshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/Extreme Ownershiphttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/Mindfulnesshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/Flow... Read more

Regardless of your goals, managing mindset is one of the most important aspects of the mental game.  Steve & Matt discuss what makes a healthy mindset.Mental models discussed in this episode:Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/Golden Rulehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/Growth from Discomforthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/Habits over Resultshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/hab... Read more

We all hit plateaus eventually.  Steve & Matt discuss mental models for breaking through them.Mental models discussed in this episode:Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition/Plus, Minus, Equalshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/Abundance Mindsethttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/Investing in Losshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/Train with Purposehttps://bjjmentalmodel... Read more