Advertise on podcast: BJJ Mental Models

In this mini-episode, we explain the protégé effect, and why teaching is one of the best ways to learn. 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 Priit Mihkelson! Priit is an Estonian black belt and co-owner of Estum Jiu-Jitsu in Tallinn, with 26 years of jiu-jitsu behind him. In this episode, Priit works through what a coach's job is, and why his answer (make people want to come back) has less to do with jiu-jitsu than he expected. Topics include: self-determination theory, the gym as a "third place," coaching lessons from parenting, whether coaching can scale, and finding your own voice as a coach. Follow Priit on Instagram: https://instagram.com/priit_mihkelson Follow Priit on Facebook: https://facebook.com/priit.mihkelson Train with Priit at Estum Jiu-Jitsu in Tallinn, Estonia: https://estumjiujitsu.ee Mental models discussed in this episode: Continuum of Motivation https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation The Third Place https://bjjmentalmodels.com/third-place Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain first principles: how we can repeatedly ask "why" to uncover simple and foundation truths so we can better understand jiu-jitsu. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Mental models discussed in this episode: Theory of Alignment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment ⬆️ 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 Kyvann Gonzalez! Kyvann is the head coach and co-owner of Bodega Jiu Jitsu in Maplewood, NJ, where he builds his classes around games and live training using the constraints-led approach. In this episode, Kyvann explains how to get the most out of a one-hour class, whether you're the coach running the room or a student with limited time to train. Topics include: cutting down coach talk time, keeping advanced classes simple, the "gray area" of technique, and secret games for students at traditional gyms. Train at Bodega Jiu Jitsu in Maplewood, NJ: https://www.bodegajiujitsu.com Learn jiu-jitsu from Kyvann on the Bodega Jiu Jitsu Patreon: https://patreon.com/BodegaJiuJitsu Follow Kyvann on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kyvanng Mental models discussed in this episode: Feedback Loop https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Extreme Ownership https://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques Curse of Knowledge https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge Prevention Over Cure https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure Certainty Heuristic https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-heuristic Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss Deliberate Practice https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice Train with Purpose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose Goodhart's Law https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law Training Handicaps https://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain handicapping: how we can physically and strategically reduce our performance to get the most out of each training round. 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 Marc Ste-Marie! Marc is a second-degree black belt with Brazilian Top Team who has been grappling since the late 80s, coaches kids and adult classes, and is the father of Brianna Ste-Marie. In this episode, Marc explains how he uses technique sequencing to teach connected chains instead of isolated moves, whether he's showing moves step by step or coaching through games. Topics include: why random, disconnected classes slow students down, coaching with a starting point and a hint, judging a program by its average students, and building mat IQ through play. Follow Marc on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kwiksub2021 Train with Marc at BTT Canada West Island in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec: https://bttcanadawestisland.com Resources discussed in this episode: Listen to Ep. 322: Technique Zero, feat. Marc Ste-Marie: https://bjj.plus/322 Get Brianna Ste-Marie's competition course on BJJ Mental Models Premium: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Technique Chaining https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Survivorship Bias https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful Process Over Outcomes https://bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain survivorship bias: a logical error where we overstudy those who were successful, but understudy those who failed. 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 Brandon Reed! Brandon is a three-time NAIA national champion wrestler from Louisville, Kentucky, who now trains jiu-jitsu full-time in Guelph, Ontario. In this episode, Brandon explains hand fighting for jiu-jitsu standup: how to get past your opponent's head, hands, and hips while protecting your own. Topics include: your default stance and the down block hand, feints and distance management, "positive" versus "negative" wrestling, fighting for inside ties, and play wrestling to build timing. Learn wrestling for jiu-jitsu from Brandon at WrestleJitsu Club: https://www.wrestlejitsu.club Get Dominate the Hand Fight: https://www.wrestlejitsu.club/dominate Follow Brandon on Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandonreed001 Subscribe to Brandon on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@brandonreed3x Mental models discussed in this episode: Controlling the Distance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance Opening Salvos https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses Mask Your Intentions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions Tokui Waza https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful Do What Works https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Head Position https://bjjmentalmodels.com/head-position Windows of Opportunity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/windows-of-opportunity Kuzushi https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi Dictate the Pace https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss Grips Dictate Position https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain confirmation bias: the human tendency to favor information that supports our existing beliefs, and discard information that doesn't. 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 Jeff Serafin! Jeff runs Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu out of Gym 1801 in Evanston, Illinois, and has been training jiu-jitsu for almost 30 years. In this episode, Jeff talks about the fragmentation of the jiu-jitsu community, and what coaches and students can do to bring it back together. Topics include: gi versus no-gi tribalism, ecological versus traditional training, gatekeeping, and cross-training. Train at Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (inside Gym 1801) in Evanston, IL: https://serafinjiujitsu.com Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://instagram.com/serafinbjj Follow Gym 1801 on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gym.1801 Resources discussed in this episode: Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics, by Steve Kwan: https://bjj.plus/mini120 Mental models discussed in this episode: Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Keep Your Identity Small https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small Certainty Heuristic https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-heuristic Beginner's Mind https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind Resulting Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting Silver Bullet Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy Survivorship Bias https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias Rapoport's Rules https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rapoports-rules Curse of Knowledge https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge Intention https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain visualization: the science behind it, its limitations, the difference between general and technique visualization, and how it applies to jiu-jitsu. 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 Hillary VanOrnum! Hillary is a third-degree black belt who runs Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon with her husband, and she just won her first Masters World Championship at black belt. In this episode, Hillary explains the difference between instructing and coaching, and how she uses questions to help students work out answers for themselves. Topics include: relating jiu-jitsu to sports students already know, building on each student's favorite techniques, letting go of control as a gym owner, turning Instagram clips into homework, and coaching students who only train twice a week. Train at Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, OR: https://unicornjiujitsu.com Get private lessons, online coaching, or coach mentorship with Hillary: https://unicornjiujitsu.com/page/PrivateLessons Follow Hillary on Instagram: https://instagram.com/unicorn_jiujitsu Follow Unicorn Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: https://instagram.com/unicornjiujitsupdx Follow the Gathering of the Unicorns women's camp on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gathering_of_the_unicorns Mental models discussed in this episode: Transfer of Learning https://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning Tokui Waza https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Feedback Loop https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop Effortful Retrieval https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain perception-action coupling: a sports science concept explaining how practice should give athletes the same cues they'd face in a real match. 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 Nelson Puentes! Nelson co-founded Inverted Gear and runs Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Nelson explains his Super Mario theory of jiu-jitsu: a good game teaches you how to play it by raising the difficulty one step at a time, and a good jiu-jitsu class works the same way. Topics include: game design, resource management, coaching without instructions, defensive jiu-jitsu, and intrinsic motivation. Buy Inverted Gear apparel: https://invertedgear.com Train at Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, PA: https://invertedgearacademy.com Follow Nelson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/invertedgearnelson Mental models discussed in this episode: Zone of Proximal Development https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-proximal-development Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization Gamification https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Return on Investment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment Win Conditions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions Defense Paradox https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful Perception-Action Coupling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling Continuum of Motivation https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation Process Over Outcomes https://bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes ⬆️ 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 mini-episode, we explain deliberate practice: a training method intended to improve performance by addressing your weaknesses and breaking through plateaus. 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