BJJ Mental Models

Steve Kwan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • WRESTLING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 13 HR AGO

    Ep. 390: Making Jiu-Jitsu Accessible, feat. Ryan Rich & Max Corteggiano

    This week, we're joined by returning champion Ryan Rich and first-timer Max Corteggiano! Ryan is a third-degree black belt who owns Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in California and was one of the early adopters of the constraints-led approach, and Max is a first-degree black belt from France who runs BJJ Flowcharts. In this episode, Ryan and Max break down what they've learned from building BJJ Games together, a project focused on making CLA simple and accessible for coaches and students. Topics include: simplifying the constraints-led approach, the blended ABC and eco method, designing games around invariants, attention spans in coaching, and ditching the warmup. Check out BJJ Games: https://bjjgames.com Check out BJJ Flowcharts: https://bjjflowcharts.com Train with Ryan at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in Granite Bay, CA: https://granitebayjiujitsu.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques Win Conditions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Cognitive Load https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load Invariants https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants 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

    58 min
  2. Mini Ep. 105: Double Trouble

    4 DAYS AGO

    Mini Ep. 105: Double Trouble

    In this mini-episode, we discuss double trouble, a concept popularized by John Danaher. Double trouble teaches us that to fully control a near-side limb, we must also control a far-side limb. 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

    10 min

  3. 4 MAY

    Ep. 389: The Double Tap, feat. Drew Foster

    This week, we're joined by Drew Foster! Drew is a black belt and coach at Elevate MMA in Durham, North Carolina, chief of staff at PGF, and host of State of the Meta on BJJ Mental Models Premium. In this episode, Drew breaks down the "double tap:" attacking a submission, releasing it, then re-attacking right when their defenses drop. Topics include: the double tap, pattern interrupts, the porcupine strategy, and the constraints-led approach. Follow Drew on Instagram: https://instagram.com/drewdarce Train with Drew at Elevate MMA in Durham, NC: https://elevatemmaacademy.com Check out Drew's instructionals at Darce Dynamics: https://darcedynamics.com Listen to Drew on State of the Meta, exclusive to BJJ Mental Models Premium: https://bjjmentalmodels.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Double Tap https://bjjmentalmodels.com/double-tap Mask Your Intentions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions Dilemmas https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma Layers of Strategy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-strategy Porcupine Strategy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/porcupine-strategy Pattern Interrupts https://bjjmentalmodels.com/pattern-interrupts Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Cognitive Load https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load ⬆️ 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

    55 min
  4. Mini Ep. 104: Head Position

    30 APR

    Mini Ep. 104: Head Position

    In this mini-episode, we discuss head position, or how to tell if your head and neck are at risk in jiu-jitsu. We use a 3-point framework to determine if our head is safe: Avoid constriction (be safe from squeezing),Avoid impact (be safe from blunt force trauma), andAvoid broken posture (be safe from neck misalignment). 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

    7 min

  5. 27 APR

    Ep. 388: Injury and the Stockdale Paradox, feat. Alex Sterner

    This week, we're joined by Alex Sterner! Alex is a black belt and the owner of Electrum Performance in San Diego, where he coaches strength and conditioning for jiu-jitsu and combat sports athletes. In this episode, Alex breaks down the psychology of injury rehab and the Stockdale Paradox: the marriage of optimism about recovery with brutal acceptance of where you actually are right now. Topics include: pain as a feature, the staircase model of rehab, healing it like you hurt it, short term versus long term risk, and a sample weight room program for jiu-jitsu. Follow Alex on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alex.sterner Follow Electrum Performance on Instagram: https://instagram.com/electrum_performance Train with Alex on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@electrumperformance Mental models discussed in this episode: Visualization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/visualization Mindfulness https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Loss Aversion https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion Compounding https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compounding Timeframe Paradox https://bjjmentalmodels.com/timeframe-paradox Silver Bullet Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy 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

    1 hr
  6. Mini Ep. 103: Cracking the Whip

    23 APR

    Mini Ep. 103: Cracking the Whip

    In this mini-episode, we discuss "cracking the whip:" an external cue for better understanding the relationship between tension and slack in 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

    5 min

  7. 20 APR

    Ep. 387: Trips & Foot Sweeps, feat. Isa Friedlander & Chris Round

    This week, we've got a panel! Chris Round is the head judo instructor at High Noon in Alexandria, Virginia, and a judo and BJJ black belt who coaches athletes on the IJF tour. Isa Friedlander is a former Team USA judoka, a brown belt at Unity, and coaches judo at The Dojo in Bushwick and at Unity in Manhattan. In this episode, Chris and Isa break down foot sweeps and trips for grapplers, tied to their new instructional with MASTERs. Topics include: timing vs. structural setups, shape making, the role of the uke, variable drilling, and play. Follow Isa on Instagram: https://instagram.com/isa100kg Follow Chris on Instagram: https://instagram.com/chris__circle Train with Chris at High Noon Judo in Alexandria, VA: https://instagram.com/highnoonjudo Learn more about MASTERs (Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity and Rights): https://martialartsforsocialgood.org Follow MASTERs on Instagram: https://instagram.com/masterssocialgood Get Chris and Isa's foot sweeps and trips instructional: https://martialartsforsocialgood.org/store Mental models discussed in this episode: Kuzushi https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi Predictable Responses https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses Perception-Action Coupling https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling Staying Loose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Curse of Knowledge https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful ⬆️ 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

    57 min
  8. Mini Ep. 102: Constant and Variable Tension

    16 APR

    Mini Ep. 102: Constant and Variable Tension

    In this mini-episode, we explain constant and variable tension, and the pros and cons of each in 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

    7 min
See All (515)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    515
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BJJ Mental Models
  • Show Website
    BJJ Mental Models

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