BJJ Mental Models

Steve Kwan
  • 4.9 (234)
  • 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. Mini Ep. 86: Do What Works

    1D AGO

    Mini Ep. 86: Do What Works

    In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of doing what works. If a) you can do it against good opponents, b) you can do it repeatedly, and c) it aligns with your goals, then it's a good technique regardless of what anyone else says. 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 ⚠️ 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

    5 min

  2. 4D AGO

    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

    1h 14m
  3. Mini Ep. 85: Certainty Heuristic

    DEC 18

    Mini Ep. 85: Certainty Heuristic

    In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the certainty heuristic: the natural human tendency to prefer answers that offer a simple, easy solution... even if that solution is wrong. 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 ⚠️ 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

    7 min

  4. DEC 15

    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
  5. Mini Ep. 84: Probabilistic Thinking

    DEC 11

    Mini Ep. 84: Probabilistic Thinking

    In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the importance of probabilistic thinking: viewing Jiu-Jitsu as a game of probabilities where your goal is to create (and maintain) the greatest possible chance of success. 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 ⚠️ 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

    7 min

  6. DEC 8

    Ep. 367: The Weight of Expectations, feat. Jesse Phillips

    This week, we're joined by Jesse Phillips! Jesse is a BJJ black belt under Brian Johnson and the head coach at Gentle Giant Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Jesse explores burnout in martial arts and real life, often caused by the crushing weight of personal expectations that we place upon ourselves. Follow Jesse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentlegiantjiujitsu Train with Jesse at Gentle Giant Jiu-Jitsu in Seattle, WA: https://www.gg-jj.com Mental models discussed in this episode: Survivorship Bias https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias Self-Competition https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competition Compartmentalization https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compartmentalization Keep Your Identity Small https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small Stress and Recovery https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery ⬆️ 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

    58 min
  7. Mini Ep. 83: Learning Modalities

    DEC 4

    Mini Ep. 83: Learning Modalities

    In this week's mini-episode, we discuss the idea of learning modalities. The old concept of "learning styles" has been debunked; here's what we use instead. 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 ⚠️ 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

    6 min

  8. DEC 4

    BONUS: Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles Analysis, feat. Drew Foster

    In this episode of State of the Meta, Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles takes center stage as Drew breaks down ONE Fight Night 38’s generational clash. He explores each legend’s style, career arc, and signature weapons (from Marcelo’s pressure, wrestle-ups, and guillotines to Giles’ K-guard leg-lock traps), while examining age narratives, meta trends, and realistic paths to victory for both icons. This free bonus episode is from Drew Foster's excellent State of the Meta podcast, exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! Watch Marcelo Garcia vs Lachlan Giles on ONE Fight Night 38: https://www.onefc.com/events/onefightnight38 Resources discussed in this episode: Longform Marcelo Garcia game breakdown: https://youtu.be/GzLx2PgI9zw Marcelo Garcia comeback match: https://youtu.be/jPQdaNkx3ps Lachlan Giles' famous ADCC run: https://youtu.be/KoPxgjLbJmA Lachlan Giles breaking down Marcelo Garcia passing: https://youtu.be/bbjdRwWiQgk Lachlan Giles highlights: https://youtu.be/o_qsoJeroNg Marcelo Garcia highlights: https://youtu.be/PkgR767YgFk Need more Drew Foster? Follow Drew Foster on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewdarce Listen to Drew on The Neon Belly Podcast: https://theneonbelly.buzzsprout.com/ Check out Drew's contributions on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Darce_Knight/ Get Drew's instructionals: http://darcedynamics.com/ ⬆️ 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 ⚠️ 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

    35 min
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4.9
out of 5
234 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    474
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 BJJ Mental Models
  • Show Website
    BJJ Mental Models

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