Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro 

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined again by Josh McKinney!  Josh is a coach at HeadnodHQ in Illinois and a black belt under Kyle Watson.  In this episode, Josh breaks down his "Champions Stay Present" coaching strategy: a mindfulness-based method to help athletes achieve their best performance and mental state.

Follow Josh on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thejoshmckinney

Check out the I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show:
https://www.youtube.com/@JoshMcKinney
https://www.instagram.com/isuckatjiujitsushow


Resources mentioned in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 227: Designated Winners, feat. Josh McKinney
https://bjj.plus/227

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/

The Purler Way audio course (requires BJJMM Premium)
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/products/the-purler-way-feat-nick-purler/

Headspace
https://www.headspace.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Visualization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/visualization/
  
  
• Hick's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/hicks-law/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics/
  
  
• Cognitive Dissonance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-dissonance/
  
  
• Building Your Triggers
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined again by Dr. Mike Piekarski!  Better known as "Doctor Kickass" on Instagram, Mike is a BJJ black belt under Henry Akins and is a Doctor of Physical Therapy.  In this episode, we discuss ways to safely apply the stack pass and reduce your risk of injury while defending it.

Follow Mike on social:
https://www.instagram.com/doctor_kickass
https://www.facebook.com/mike.piekarski.50

Work with Mike:
https://linktr.ee/doctor_kickass


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Economy of Motion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motion/
  
  
• Static vs. Dynamic Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/static-vs-dynamic-control/
  
  
• Body Tethering
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/body-tethering/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined by Giles Garcia!  Giles is the head coach at Ronin Grappling in Glasgow, Scotland.  In this episode, Giles explains why it's so important that coaches help their students simplify their thinking surrounding Jiu-Jitsu.

Follow Giles on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/el_guanche

Train with Giles at Ronin Grappling:
https://roningrappling.com/

Learn from Giles online at BJJ Codex:
https://www.bjjcodex.com/


Resources discussed in this episode:

White Belt Survival Course w/ Christian Graugart
https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  
• Ecological Psychology
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification/
  
  
• Grips Dictate Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/
  
  
• Grip Inversion
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/
  
  
• Priit's 45° Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/priits-45-rule/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• The Map Is Not the Territory
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/the-map-is-not-the-territory/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined by Stuart Cooper!  Stuart is best known for his incredible Jiu-Jitsu documentaries, but he's also an outstanding black belt with a deadly guard passing game.  In this episode, Stuart joins us to discuss some of the best styles and strategies for passing the guard.

Follow Stuart on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stuartcooperfilms

Subscribe to Stuart's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/stuartcooperfilms

Support Stuart's work on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/StuartCooperFilms


Resources discussed in this episode:

Less Impressed More Involved — YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ

Demetrious Johnson — YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/135mightymouse


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Technique Chaining
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/
  
  
• Types of Guard
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/
  
  
• Mirrored Stances
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mirrored-stances/
  
  
• Dictate the Pace
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/
  
  
• Inside Channel Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/inside-channel-control/
  
  
• Controlling the Distance
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance/
  
  
• Overwhelming Force
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/overwhelming-force/
  
  
• Mask Your Intentions
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/
  
  
• Dilemma
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma/
  
  
• Elbow-Knee Connection
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

We're giving you a bonus episode because yesterday's release was an April Fools' Day joke. 🤣

This episode is the second in a new BJJ Mental Models Premium series: Grappling With Confidence.  In this episode, we're joined by breakout star and 2023 ADCC European champion Jozef Chen!  Jozef discusses the importance of confidence for building resilience, the challenges faced by high-profile grapplers, and strategies for compartmentalization.

Follow Jozef on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jozefchenjj

Watch Jozef on the B Team YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BTeamJiuJitsu


Resources mentioned in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 221: Getting Better Faster, feat. Jozef Chen
https://bjj.plus/221

How Jozef Chen is Changing BJJ — Alec Baulding
https://youtu.be/p0kK1JlC8Gw

BJJMM Ep. 257: Mindset for Betas, feat. Rob Biernacki
https://bjj.plus/257

The Chimp Paradox, by Dr. Steve Peters
https://amzn.to/43xb8Kb

Less Impressed More Involved x BJJMM collab podcast
https://bit.ly/3VwYxoi


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you’ll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined again by Priit Mihkelson, formerly of Defensive BJJ!  In this episode, Priit shares some shocking news: he is abandoning his study of defensive Jiu-Jitsu.  We discuss Priit's new focus on 100% offensive BJJ, including topics such as: flash submissions, attacking from inside the guard, winning by injury stoppage, and biting mechanics.

Follow Priit on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson

Sign up for Defensive BJJ (soon to be rebranded Offensive BJJ):
https://defensivebjj.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Submission Over Position
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/submission-over-position/
  
  
• Victory by Injury
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/victory-by-injury/
  
  
• Biting Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/biting-mechanics/

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined by Mike Jaramillo!  Mike is John Danaher's first black belt and the advanced no gi instructor at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York.  In this episode, Mike discusses Jiu-Jitsu's power as a "happy pill" to enhance mental health, combat depression, and bring people together.

Follow Mike on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mikejaramillo_bjj

Follow The Happy Pill Project on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thehappypillproject

Support The Happy Pill Project:
https://linktr.ee/thehappypillproject

Support the We Defy Foundation:
https://wedefyfoundation.org/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Mindfulness
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This episode was originally for BJJ Mental Models Premium subscribers, but you're getting it for free!  The Highest Levels is a BJJMM Premium podcast on peak performance hosted by Emily Kwok and Joe Hannan.  In this episode, Emily is joined by arguably the greatest pound-for-pound grappler in the history of the sport, Marcelo Garcia.  I really don't have any words to describe this one - give it a listen.

Follow Marcelo on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/marcelogarciajiujitsu/

Follow Emily on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj/

Follow Joe on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bjj_meditations/


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

This week we're joined again by Emily Kwok!  Emily is a peak performance consultant and multi-time BJJ black belt world champion representing Marcelo Garcia.  In this episode, Emily introduces polarity mapping: a powerful tool for understanding nuance and breaking through either/or thinking.  We discuss polarities in Jiu-Jitsu, such as: tension/slack, fast/slow, retraction/extension, holding on/letting go, and concepts/techniques.

Emily's website:
https://www.emilykwok.com/

Emily's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj


Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM Ep. 121: Kegan's Theory of Adult Development, feat. David Zeitler
https://bjj.plus/121

Polarity Management, by Barry Johnson
https://amzn.to/3PpPMsp


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Probabilistic Thinking
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking/
  
  
• Staying Loose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  
• Limb Coiling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/
  
  
• Shuhari
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/
  
  
• Force Compression
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/force-compression/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki!  Fresh off winning his first world championship at 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds in the masters 4 black belt middleweight division, Rob joins us to unveil a new submission he's been developing for the past year: the roadhouse choke.  It's a modified throat post choke that Rob recently used successfully in competition, and it's surprisingly legal under most rulesets.

Watch Rob's demonstration of the roadhouse choke:
https://youtu.be/5-WKLUfG2H4

Watch Rob use the roadhouse choke in competition:
https://youtu.be/1AyB89AzkDs

Buy Rob's roadhouse choke instructional:
https://bjjconcepts.net/roadhouse

Follow Rob on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Do What Works
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/
  
  
• Choking Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/choking-mechanics/
  
  
• Predictable Responses
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/
  
  
• Committed Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/committed-techniques/
  
  
• Opening Salvos
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos/
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game.  We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/