BJJ Mental Models

Steve Kwan
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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. 2 hr ago

    Ep. 408: Intention-Led Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Rob Cole

    This week, we're joined by Rob Cole! Rob has been training martial arts for over 35 years, 25 of them focused on grappling, and he coaches at Ascension Athletics in Connecticut, where he runs his practice through the ecological dynamics framework. In this episode, Rob explains the intention-led approach, where you give students a goal to work toward instead of specific things to focus on. Topics include: a plain-language primer on ecological dynamics, intention versus attention, win conditions as a driver of behavior, grip fighting as a warm-up, teaching leglocks without fear. Follow Rob on Instagram: https://instagram.com/liquid_rob Train with Rob at Ascension Athletics: https://ascensionathleticsct.com Resources discussed in this episode: The Constraints-Led Approach, by Ian Renshaw, Keith Davids, Daniel Newcombe and Will Roberts: https://routledge.com/9781138104075 Ecological Dynamics in Sport Coaching, by Steve M. Smith: https://routledge.com/9781032869223 Ep. 144: The Constraints-Led Approach, feat. Dr. Rob Gray: https://bjj.plus/144 Ep. 330: The Student's Guide to Eco, feat. Noah Shaffner & Greg Souders: https://bjj.plus/330 Mental models discussed in this episode: Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Intention https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention Ecological Psychology https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Perception-Action Coupling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling Win Conditions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions Deliberate Practice https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Consistency https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency ⬆️ 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

  2. 4 days ago

    Mini Ep. 123: Differential Learning

    In this mini-episode, we explain differential learning: a training approach used in sports proposing that motor skills are learned by varying how the movement is executed rather than trying to get it identical every time. 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

    Mini Ep. 123: Differential Learning

  3. 7 Sept

    Ep. 407: Day Zero Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Jesse Walker & Shelby York

    This week, we're joined by Jesse Walker and Shelby York! Jesse and Shelby own Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky, a gym of about 200 students with an unusually high number of women and older grapplers (the average student is around 43). In this episode, they walk a complete beginner through what happens before your first jiu-jitsu class. Topics include: vetting a gym, what to bring, why you should tap early, panic and intensity, injury risk. Learn more at Rough Hands BJJ: https://roughhandsbjj.com Follow Jesse and Shelby at Rough Hands BJJ on Instagram: https://instagram.com/roughhandsbjj Resources discussed in this episode: Yoga for BJJ, by Sebastian Brosche: https://yogaforbjj.net Women's Grappling Network on Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/341922519178021 Mental models discussed in this episode: Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Acute Stress Response https://bjjmentalmodels.com/acute-stress-response Prioritize Longevity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity Survival Mode https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survival-mode Compatible Intent https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compatible-intent Respect Your Opponent https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-your-opponent Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss Beginner's Mind https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind Motivation https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation Prevention Over Cure https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure Paradox of Tolerance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/paradox-of-tolerance ⬆️ 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

  4. 3 Sept

    Mini Ep. 122: Gamification

    In this mini-episode, we explain gamification: the practice of adding game-like elements to something in order to motivate a certain type of behavior. It's a concept from software design with elements of applied psychology and is used for everything from marketing to products to (of course) 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

    Mini Ep. 122: Gamification

  5. 31 Aug

    Ep. 406: The Problem of Leadership, feat. Barbara Ruiken & Giles Garcia

    This week, we're joined by Barbara Ruiken and Giles Garcia! Barbara is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and the new head coach at Bergen Grappling in Norway, and she wrote her political science master's thesis on power and politics in jiu-jitsu organizations. Giles is the head coach and owner of Ronin Grappling in Rutherglen, just outside Glasgow, and a returning guest on the show. In this episode, Barbara and Giles explain why every gym has politics, whether the coach wants them or not. Topics include: informal power, accountability structures, setting your gym's culture on purpose, the jiu-jitsu cycle of abuse, and leadership burnout. Read Barbara's master's thesis, Power and Politics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Teams: https://bit.ly/4iIUYH0 Follow Barbara on Instagram: https://instagram.com/superbabs_bjj Train with Barbara at Bergen Grappling: https://www.bergengrappling.com Train with Giles at Ronin Grappling: https://roningrappling.com Giles's jiu-jitsu portal, BJJ Codex: https://www.bjjcodex.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Respect People, Not Positions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions Emotional Contagion https://bjjmentalmodels.com/emotional-contagion Paradox of Tolerance https://bjjmentalmodels.com/paradox-of-tolerance Extreme Ownership https://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership ⬆️ 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

  6. 27 Aug

    Mini Ep. 121: Constraints-Led Approach

    In this mini-episode, we explain constraints-led approach (CLA) in simple terms, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. 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

    Mini Ep. 121: Constraints-Led Approach

  7. 24 Aug

    Ep. 405: Solving Procrastination, feat. Itamar Shatz

    This week, we're joined by Itamar Shatz! Itamar is a jiu-jitsu black belt and a Cambridge University researcher whose new book, Solving Procrastination, is published by Penguin Random House. In this episode, Itamar explains why we procrastinate, and walks through the strategies research shows will help. Topics include: the self-control fallacy, hard conversations with your coach, if-then rules for unsafe rolls, perfectionism, and burnout. Get Solving Procrastination: https://solvingprocrastination.com/book Mental models discussed in this episode: Second-Order Thinking https://bjjmentalmodels.com/second-order-thinking Silver Bullet Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy Curse of Knowledge https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge Cognitive Behavioral Therapy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy Acute Stress Response https://bjjmentalmodels.com/acute-stress-response Precommitments https://bjjmentalmodels.com/precommitments Escalation of Commitment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/escalation-of-commitment Analysis Paralysis https://bjjmentalmodels.com/analysis-paralysis Building Your Triggers https://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Incremental Learning https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning Consistency https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency Stress and Recovery https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery Prioritize Longevity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity ⬆️ 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

  8. 20 Aug

    Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics

    In this mini-episode, we explain ecological dynamics in simple terms, why it's misunderstood, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. 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

    Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Kwan
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    551
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BJJ Mental Models
  • Show Website
    BJJ Mental Models

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