BJJ Mental Models

Mini Ep. 122: Gamification

In this mini-episode, we explain gamification: the practice of adding game-like elements to something in order to motivate a certain type of behavior. It's a concept

Ep. 406: The Problem of Leadership, feat. Barbara Ruiken & Giles Garcia

This week, we're joined by Barbara Ruiken and Giles Garcia! Barbara is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and the new head coach at Bergen Grappling in Norway, and she

Mini Ep. 121: Constraints-Led Approach

In this mini-episode, we explain constraints-led approach (CLA) in simple terms, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, nor

Ep. 405: Solving Procrastination, feat. Itamar Shatz

This week, we're joined by Itamar Shatz! Itamar is a jiu-jitsu black belt and a Cambridge University researcher whose new book, Solving Procrastination, is published

Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics

In this mini-episode, we explain ecological dynamics in simple terms, why it's misunderstood, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. Get our Intro to Mechanics

Ep. 404: Cross-Grip Passing, feat. Rosie Miller & Jeff Shaw

Jeff Shaw is guest hosting this week, and he's joined by Rosie Miller! Rosie is a jiu-jitsu educator known for explaining complicated positions in plain language. In

Mini Ep. 119: Trading Up

In this mini-episode, we discuss trading up: the strategic importance of getting more than you give in any jiu-jitsu exchange. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, n

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

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.

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 seminar

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, normall

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 wis

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

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,

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, n

Ep. 399: Breaking Through Plateaus, feat. Giles Garcia

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, Gile

Mini Ep. 114: Goodhart's Law

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, norma

Ep. 398: Old Bastard Sweeps, feat. Mike Mahaffey

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 appr

Mini Ep. 113: Availability Heuristic

In this mini-episode, we discuss the availability heuristic: a mental bias toward information that is easy to recall. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $

Ep. 397: Risk Management in BJJ, feat. Jake Luigi

This week, we're joined again by Jake Luigi! Jake is a jiu-jitsu analyst who made his name studying professional match footage, and he runs OutlierDB, an analytics d