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
  
  
  

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Music by Enterprize:
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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


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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
  
  
  

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

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


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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

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
  
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

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!

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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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
  
  

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https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

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

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?

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Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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This week, we're joined by Giles Garcia! Giles is a black belt competitor and the head coach and owner of Ronin Grappling in Glasgow, Scotland. In this episode, Giles explains how to break through training plateaus: how to spot one, how to name the specific problem hiding underneath it, and how to build a plan to solve it. Topics include: overtraining, the elevator theory, naming your plateau, and treating training partners as collaborators.

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

Watch Giles's videos at BJJ Codex:
https://www.bjjcodex.com

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


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Ecological Dynamics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
  
  
• Red Queen Effect
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/red-queen-effect
  
  
• Diminishing Returns
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/diminishing-returns
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop
  
  
• Marginal Gains
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/marginal-gains
  
  
• Deliberate Practice
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice
  
  
• Kaizen
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen
  
  
• Constraints-Led Approach
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
  
  
• Growth Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset
  
  

⬆️ 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

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

In this mini-episode, we discuss Goodhart's Law: when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to become a good measure.

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:
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This week, we're joined by Mike Mahaffey! Mike is a second-degree black belt under Chris Haueter, best known for his Old Bastard Jiu-Jitsu style: a conservative approach built for older and less athletic grapplers. In this episode, Mike explains how to sweep from the bottom by disrupting your opponent's base instead of relying on speed or strength. Topics include: maintaining your base from the bottom, making them carry your weight, fulcrum sweeps, and the scissor and tripod sweeps.

Follow Mike Mahaffey:
https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj
https://threads.com/@oldbastardbjj

Train with Mike Mahaffey at Magic BJJ in Lansing, MI:
https://magicbjj.com

Get Mike's instructionals on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/oldbastardbjj


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Theory of Alignment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment
  
  
• Direct vs. Proxy Control
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control
  
  
• Center of Gravity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/center-of-gravity
  
  
• Kuzushi
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi
  
  
• Core Mechanics
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics
  
  
• Kinetic Chains
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains
  
  
  

⬆️ 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


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Learn more mental models in our online database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

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https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
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https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
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Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com