BJJ Mental Models

Steve Kwan
  • 4.8 (249)
  • Wrestling
  • 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. 3d ago

    Mini Ep. 132: Conceptual Thinking

    In this mini-episode, we explain conceptual thinking: its origins in jiu-jitsu, why it matters, and how it balances with learning jiu-jitsu as a series of step-by-step techniques. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro Resources discussed in this episode: BJJMM mini-episodes on 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

    Mini Ep. 132: Conceptual Thinking

  2. 6d ago

    Ep. 416: Going Pro Without Going Broke, feat. Corey Guitard

    This week, we're joined by Corey Guitard! Corey is a black belt under Louis Ho and now runs Main Quest BJJ in Calgary, where six of his students have medaled in the adult divisions at No-Gi Worlds. In this episode, Corey shares what he's learned about going pro without going broke, from his own competition career and from coaching athletes who want to make it. Topics include: learning from outliers without copying them, developing a second skill, what complete commitment looks like, and why prize money rarely pays the bills. Train with Corey at Main Quest BJJ in Calgary, Alberta: https://mainquestbjj.com Follow Corey on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mainquestbjj Mental models discussed in this episode: Prioritize Longevity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity Survivorship Bias https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias Zone of Genius https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius Consistency https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency Probabilistic Thinking https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking Table Selection https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection ⬆️ 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

  3. Nov 5

    Mini Ep. 131: The Protégé Effect

    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

    Mini Ep. 131: The Protégé Effect

  4. Nov 2

    Ep. 415: What’s the Point of a Coach?, feat. Priit Mihkelson

    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

  5. Oct 29

    Mini Ep. 130: First Principles

    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

    Mini Ep. 130: First Principles

  6. Oct 26

    Ep. 414: The One-Hour Problem, feat. Kyvann Gonzalez

    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

  7. Oct 22

    Mini Ep. 129: Handicapping

    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

    Mini Ep. 129: Handicapping

  8. Oct 19

    Ep. 413: Technique Sequencing, feat. Marc Ste-Marie

    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

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4.8
out of 5
249 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
    568
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BJJ Mental Models
  • Show Website
    BJJ Mental Models

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