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 Ryan Rich! Ryan is the head coach at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in California, and a proponent of the constraints-led approach to teaching Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Ryan discusses to what extent Jiu-Jitsu coaches should borrow premade skill-development games, rather than building their own.
Follow Ryan and Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/granitebayjiujitsu
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss table selection: a concept from poker teaching us that choosing the right environment greatly increases our odds 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 netw...
This week, we're joined by Todd Richards! Todd is a black belt under the great Keith Owen, who tragically passed away in 2022. In this episode, Todd shares his experience building atop and evolving an existing curriculum, sharing stories from how a group of Keith Owen's black belts took over gym instruction following his passing.
Find Todd online at Flow Frame Jiu-Jitsu:
https://flowframejiujitsu.com
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss opening salvos: the tactics and strategies you use when entering into an engagement. Ensuring your opening salvo is successful helps tremendously for standup and the engagement phase of guard.
Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro
⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!
The world's L...
This week, we're joined again by Nick Volpe from Dark Bear Jiu-Jitsu! In this episode, Nick breaks down a very holiday-relevant technique: the gift wrap!
Follow Nick on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/darkbeardojo
Train with Nick at Dark Bear Jiu-Jitsu in Staten Island, NY:
https://darkbearjiujitsu.com
Mental models discussed in this episode:
- Crossing the Center
https://bjjmental...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of doing what works. If a) you can do it against good opponents, b) you can do it repeatedly, and c) it aligns with your goals, then it's a good technique regardless of what anyone else says.
Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro
⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!
This week, we're joined by Nick Salles! Nick is a black belt under Mikey Musumeci and co-founder of Movement Art Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Nick discusses epistemic humility: a scientific philosophy reminding us that our knowledge is always incomplete. Topics include: democratic learning environments, creating conditions for exploration, constraints-led training, recoverable vs. unrecoverable errors, gym culture, and the limi...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the certainty heuristic: the natural human tendency to prefer answers that offer a simple, easy solution... even if that solution is wrong.
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 comple...
This week, we're joined by Thomas and Phillip Barreiro! They're both Division 1 wrestlers and multi-time Canadian national champions, plus the operators of Good Mind Grappling: an organization using wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu to address youth trauma. In this episode, Thomas and Phillip break down their "lazy wrestling" framework. They explain how effective stand-up grappling doesn’t require explosiveness, but inste...
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of probabilistic thinking: viewing Jiu-Jitsu as a game of probabilities where your goal is to create (and maintain) the greatest possible chance 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...
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.
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 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...
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