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. 12 hr ago

    Ep. 403: Learning from Kids Class, feat. Brennan Strimple

    This week, we're joined again by Brennan Strimple! Brennan and his wife founded Rochester Jiu Jitsu in 2014, and almost all of their kids classes are taught by black belts. In this episode, Brennan explains why kids don't grapple like adults, and what the rest of us can learn from teaching them. Topics include: teaching goals instead of moves, coaching cues kids actually understand, how slowly kids process instruction, treating the tap like a video game respawn, and building young athletes. Follow Brennan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/coachbrennanstrimple Follow Rochester Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rochesterjiujitsu Train at Rochester Jiu Jitsu: https://rochesterjiujitsu.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques Effortful Retrieval https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Win Conditions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions Gamification https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification Direct vs. Proxy Control https://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control Incremental Learning https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning Cognitive Load https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load Spaced Repetition https://bjjmentalmodels.com/spaced-repetition Curse of Knowledge https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss External Cues https://bjjmentalmodels.com/external-cues ⬆️ 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. 118: Labeling

    In this mini-episode, we discuss labeling: the practice of attaching a name, category, or descriptor to something in order to make it easier to identify and understand. 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. 118: Labeling

  3. 3 Aug

    Ep. 402: Dichotomies of Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Charles Harriott

    This week, we're joined by Charles Harriott! Charles has been doing martial arts since he was four years old, and after years of traveling the world teaching seminars for BJJ Globetrotters and BJJ Fanatics, he recently opened his own gym, Lofi Dojo, in Gainesville, Florida. In this episode, Charles walks through the dichotomies of jiu-jitsu, the apparent opposites that often turn out to be sliding scales. Topics include: climbing versus leaping, gameplans versus improvisation, following the meta versus innovating, concepts versus techniques, and fun versus adversity. Train with Charles at Lofi Dojo: https://instagram.com/lofi.gnv Follow Charles on Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlesharriott Support Charles on Patreon: https://patreon.com/charlesharriott Get Charles's instructionals on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_charles-harriott Mental models discussed in this episode: Silver Bullet Fallacy https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy Certainty Heuristic https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-heuristic Position Over Submission https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission Placeholders https://bjjmentalmodels.com/placeholders Concepts Over Techniques https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Self-Organization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization Growth from Discomfort https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort Keep It Playful https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful Psychological Safety https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety Gamification https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification 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

  4. 30 Jul

    Mini Ep. 117: Mnemonics

    In this mini-episode, we discuss mnemonics: memory shortcuts that help you remember what you learned in jiu-jitsu class. 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. 117: Mnemonics

  5. 27 Jul

    Ep. 401: Escaping Positions, feat. Rosie Miller

    This week, we're joined by returning guest Rosie Miller! Rosie is a black belt out of San Diego who built a following teaching jiu-jitsu beginners the things she wishes she'd known at white belt. In this episode, Rosie explains why survival has to come before escape, and how to spot the tipping point where a bad position turns into real danger. She also gets into why she steers beginners away from closed guard, and how small, constant movement keeps the person on top working until an escape opens. Topics include: positional escapes, tipping points, surviving bottom side control, escaping mount and back control, and the "black belt shimmy." Follow Rosie on Instagram, where you'll find her new instructional Suck Less: Foundations of Positional Escapes and a free positional escapes cheat sheet: https://instagram.com/rosierollz Subscribe to Rosie on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Rosierollz Mental models discussed in this episode: Position Over Submission https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission Tipping Points https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tipping-points Terminal Positions https://bjjmentalmodels.com/terminal-positions Survival Mode https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survival-mode Ecological Dynamics https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics Constraints-Led Approach https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach Systematic Abandonment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/systematic-abandonment ⬆️ 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. 23 Jul

    Mini Ep. 116: Mental Gatekeeping

    In this mini-episode, we discuss mental gatekeeping: the practice of guarding your mind against negative thinking and low-quality information. 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. 116: Mental Gatekeeping

  7. 20 Jul

    Ep. 400: Always Timeless, feat. Rafael Lovato Jr.

    This week, for our 400th episode, we're joined by Rafael Lovato Jr.! Rafael is a multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion, a former Bellator middleweight MMA champion, and the creator of the Timeless Jiu-Jitsu philosophy. In this episode, Rafael makes the case that consistency beats intensity, and shows how a game built on timeless fundamentals lets you dominate opponents no matter your age. Topics include: consistency over intensity, competing in your 40s, playing the long game, mastering the fundamentals, and the case for the mount. Follow Rafael on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lovatojrbjj Get Rafael's new knee-passing instructional with his dad, Lovato Legacy: https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com/lovato-legacy-timeless-pressure-passing-from-the-knees Learn more at Timeless Jiu-Jitsu: https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com Train with Rafael in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Sep. 24-29, 2026: https://destinationjj.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Consistency https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency Prioritize Longevity https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity Compounding https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compounding Timeframe Paradox https://bjjmentalmodels.com/timeframe-paradox Investing in Loss https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss Do What Works https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works Tokui Waza https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza Position Over Submission https://bjjmentalmodels.com/position-over-submission Probabilistic Thinking https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking Marginal Gains https://bjjmentalmodels.com/marginal-gains Self-Competition https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition ⬆️ 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. 16 Jul

    Mini Ep. 115: Incremental Learning

    In this mini-episode, we discuss incremental learning: the practice of breaking down a new concept to learn it piece by piece. 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. 115: Incremental Learning
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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
    541
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BJJ Mental Models
  • Show Website
    BJJ Mental Models

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