BJJ Mental Models

Steve Kwan

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.

  1. -18 H

    Ep. 371: Building on a Curriculum, feat. Todd Richards

    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 Train with Todd at Team Rhino Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Meridian, Idaho: https://teamrhinoidaho.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Technique Chaining https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining Labeling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling Goodhart's Law https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law Invariants https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants Third Place https://bjjmentalmodels.com/third-place ⬆️ 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 ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models! MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    1 h 11 min
  2. 29/12/2025

    Ep. 370: The Gift Wrap, feat. Nick Volpe

    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://bjjmentalmodels.com/crossing-the-center Priit's 45° Rule https://bjjmentalmodels.com/priits-45-degree-rule Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses Center of Gravity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity Asymmetric Warfare https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare Probabilistic Thinking https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking ⬆️ 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 ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models! MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    52 min
  3. 22/12/2025

    Ep. 369: Real Talk About Humility, feat. Nick Salles

    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 limits of AI in skill acquisition. Follow Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnicksalles Train with Nick at Movement Art Jiu-Jitsu in Warminster, PA: https://www.movementart.online Learn online with Nick at Movement Art Online: https://movementartonline.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Silver Bullet Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy Growth From Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Zone of Proximal Development https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-proximal-development Reframing https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reframing Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization Recoverable vs. Unrecoverable Errors https://bjjmentalmodels.com/recoverable-vs-unrecoverable-errors Discipline Equals Freedom https://bjjmentalmodels.com/discipline-equals-freedom Effortful Retrieval https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval ⬆️ 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 ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models! MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    1 h 14 min
  4. 15/12/2025

    Ep. 368: Lazy Wrestling, feat. Thomas & Phillip Barreiro

    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 instead relies on frames, hand fighting, pressure, and positional control. This episode reframes wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu athletes seeking safer, more sustainable ways to stay on top and dictate the match. Support Good Mind Grappling: https://goodmindgrappling.com Follow Good Mind Grappling on social: https://facebook.com/goodmindgrappling https://instagram.com/goodmindgrappling Join the Lazy Wrestling mailing list: https://lazywrestling.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Inside Channel Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control Controlling the Distance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance Core Mechanics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics Grips Dictate Position https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position Opening Salvos https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos Asymmetric Warfare https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare ⬆️ 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 ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models! MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    57 min

Notes et avis

5
sur 5
4 notes

À propos

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.

Vous aimeriez peut‑être aussi