BJJ Mental Models
Steve Kwan
<p>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.</p>
- 54 minutes 17 secondsEp. 376: New-School Fundamentals, feat. Lachlan Giles
This week, we're joined again by Lachlan Giles for a deep rethink of what "fundamentals" really mean in modern Jiu-Jitsu. Rather than treating fundamentals as a fixed list of techniques, Lachlan argues they should be defined by goals, rulesets, and outcomes. He explains why competitors may benefit more from guard retention and winning early exchanges than from late-stage escapes, how mindset and time allocation shape development, and why specialization often beats chasing the meta.
Follow Lachlan on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/lachlan_giles
Train with Lachlan at Absolute MMA in St. Kilda, Australia:
https://absolutemma.com.au
Learn online with Lachlan at SUBMETA (seriously, do it):
https://submeta.io
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Controlling the Distance
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlling-the-distance - Opening Salvos
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/opening-salvos - Win Conditions
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions - Defense Paradox
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox - Layers of Guard
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/layers-of-guard - Prevention Over Cure
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prevention-over-cure - Funneling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/funneling - Zone of Genius
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius - Shuhari
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari - Curse of Knowledge
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge
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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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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/beta9 February 2026, 8:00 am - Controlling the Distance
- 6 minutes 8 secondsMini Ep. 92: Momentum
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss momentum and its underappreciated importance to Jiu-Jitsu. Momentum is the product of mass times velocity. Beginners tend to ignore momentum and attempt techniques from a dead stop, which reduces their likelihood 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/beta5 February 2026, 8:00 am - 48 minutes 44 secondsEp. 375: Becoming a Kids Coach, feat. Andrew Green
This week, we're joined by Andrew Green! Andrew is the creator of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Playbook and a 25-year veteran of martial arts coaching. In this episode, Andrew teaches what truly makes a great kids coach: understanding developmental stages, emotional regulation, building culture, motivating engagement, working effectively with parents, why kids can’t be coached like "mini adults," how life skills outweigh medals, and what gyms can do to create safer, more sustainable, and more impactful youth programs.
Follow Andrew on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/innovativemartialartswpg
Train with Andrew at Innovative Martial Arts in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
https://winnipegmartialarts.ca
Check out The Kids Jiu-Jitsu Playbook (there's a free version):
https://www.skool.com/kids-jiu-jitsu-playbook
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Gamification
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification
⬆️ 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/beta2 February 2026, 8:00 am - Gamification
- 6 minutes 30 secondsMini Ep. 91: Leading Edges
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss leading edges, and why it's important to identify which part of the body is responsible for making an attack work. The leading edge will often (but not always) be the nearest part of your opponent's body where gravitational force is coming from.
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/beta29 January 2026, 8:00 am - 57 minutes 52 secondsEp. 374: How to Study BJJ, feat. Jake O'Driscoll
This week, we're joined again by Jake O'Driscoll from Essence BJJ! In this episode, Jake explains how high-level grapplers like Adele Fornarino and Brianna Ste-Marie actually study Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: practical note-taking, video review, effortful retrieval, individualized learning, filtering signal from noise, adapting study habits to different personalities, and using training footage to improve decision-making.
Follow Jake on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jakeod_essencebjj
Train with Jake at Essence BJJ in Perth, Australia:
https://essencebjj.com.au
Learn with Jake online on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/u112559996
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Abundance Paradox
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-paradox - Learning Modalities
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities - Effortful Retrieval
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval - Mnemonics
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mnemonics - Levels of Competition
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/levels-of-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
⚠️ 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/beta26 January 2026, 8:00 am - Abundance Paradox
- 7 minutes 3 secondsMini Ep. 90: Force Vectors
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss force vectors and how understanding them makes frames more effective.
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/beta22 January 2026, 8:00 am - 1 hour 13 minutesEp. 373: Finding Your Worth, feat. Erin Herle
This week, we're joined again by Erin Herle! Erin is a certified mental performance consultant and a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles. In this episode, Erin explains how to develop a sense of self-worth in Jiu-Jitsu. She discusses the problem of "performance-based self-worth" and why we should not base our identity around belts, wins, rankings, or comparisons with others.
Follow Erin on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/erinherle
Work with Erin:
https://www.erinherle.com
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Keep Your Identity Small
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small - Continuum of Motivation
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation
⬆️ 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/beta19 January 2026, 8:00 am - Keep Your Identity Small
- 7 minutes 39 secondsMini Ep. 89: Dilemmas
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss dilemmas: forcing your opponent to choose between two undesirable options.
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/beta15 January 2026, 8:00 am - 55 minutes 1 secondEp. 372: Plug-and-Play Games, feat. Ryan Rich
This week, we're joined by Ryan Rich! Ryan is the head coach at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in California, and a proponent of the constraints-led approach to teaching Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Ryan discusses to what extent Jiu-Jitsu coaches should borrow premade skill-development games, rather than building their own.
Follow Ryan and Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/granitebayjiujitsu
Learn online with Ryan at BJJ Games:
https://bjjgames.com
Train with Ryan at Granite Bay Jiu-Jitsu in Granite Bay, California:
https://gbjj.org
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Gamification
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification
⬆️ 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/beta12 January 2026, 8:00 am - Gamification
- 8 minutes 7 secondsMini Ep. 88: Table Selection
In this week's mini-episode, we discuss table selection: a concept from poker teaching us that choosing the right environment greatly increases our odds 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/beta8 January 2026, 8:00 am - 1 hour 10 minutesEp. 371: Building on a Curriculum, feat. Todd Richards
This week, we're joined by Todd Richards! Todd is a black belt under the great Keith Owen, who tragically passed away in 2022. In this episode, Todd shares his experience building atop and evolving an existing curriculum, sharing stories from how a group of Keith Owen's black belts took over gym instruction following his passing.
Find Todd online at Flow Frame Jiu-Jitsu:
https://flowframejiujitsu.com
Train with Todd at Team Rhino Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Meridian, Idaho:
https://teamrhinoidaho.com
Mental models discussed in this episode:- Technique Chaining
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining - Labeling
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/labeling - Goodhart's Law
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law - Invariants
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants - Third Place
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/third-place
⬆️ 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/beta5 January 2026, 8:00 am - Technique Chaining
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