BJJ Mental Models – Details, episodes & analysis

In this week's mini-episode we discuss air choke mechanics!  Air chokes involve cutting off your opponent's ability to breathe by either compressing their trachea ("windpipe") or covering their mouth.  Air chokes often don't act as quickly as blood chokes, but there are ways to speed them up by triggering the gag reflex.  We also talk about why air chokes are legitimate techniques and should not be thought of as "dirty."

Listen to our prior mini-episode on blood choke mechanics:
https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/15622350-mini-ep-16-blood-choke-mechanics

Read up on the different types of chokes:
https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/choking-mechanics/

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined again by Adam Medlock!  Adam is a Braulio Estima black belt and a lead educator from the UK.  In this episode, Adam discusses the challenges of student assessment, or how Jiu-Jitsu coaches can measure student progress and the effectiveness of the curriculum.  Key points include the introduction of the TLA cycle (Teaching, Learning, and Assessment) and the concept of cumulative disfluency, alongside a critique of one-size-fits-all curricula and seminar-style teaching.


Resources discussed in this episode:

Inside the Black Box: Assessment for Learning in the Classroom, by Paul Black et al.
https://bit.ly/4dUdqqG

Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards Through Classroom Assessment, by Dylan Wiliam & Paul Black
https://kappanonline.org/inside-the-black-box-raising-standards-through-classroom-assessment/

Kolb's Cycle of Reflective Practice — University of Hull
https://libguides.hull.ac.uk/reflectivewriting/kolb

Teach Like a Champion, by Doug Lemov
https://teachlikeachampion.org/books/

The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkin
https://www.joshwaitzkin.com/the-art-of-learning


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Cognitive Load
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/cognitive-load/
  
  
• Goodhart's Law
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-law/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Teach to Learn
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/teach-to-learn/
  
  
• Psychological Safety
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/
  
  
• Making Smaller Circles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles/
  
  
  

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing the anatomic hierarchy!  The anatomic hierarchy is a simple but powerful mental model that organizes our body into six major tools, from strongest to weakest: our torso, our two legs, our two arms, and our head.  The anatomic hierarchy teaches us that when attacking, we should use as many of our weapons as possible, especially the stronger ones.  And we'll also have better success if we're attacking a weaker part of our opponent's body.

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined by Jozef Chen!  Jozef is a member of the B Team and has been a BJJ Mental Models community member since the early days.  Jozef is also known for how rapidly he developed his skillset as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete.  In this episode, Jozef shares his method, with some great insights into Josh Waitzkin's work, growth versus performance, innovators versus honers, competitive esports, and other cool avenues you might not have considered in your learning journey.

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

Resources discussed in this episode:

The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkin
https://amzn.to/3XilAkq

The Will to Keep Winning, by Daigo "The Beast" Umehara
https://amzn.to/41zTDYq

The Two Types of Gamers (Honers vs. Innovators) — Core-A Gaming
https://youtu.be/C3q5nSqGXr4

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Form to Leave Form
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/form-to-leave-form/
  
  
• Making Smaller Circles
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles/
  
  
• Shuhari
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/shuhari/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Path of Least Resistance
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/
  
  
• Plus, Minus, Equals
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/
  
  
• Transfer of Learning
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning/
  
  
• Beginner's Mind
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/
  
  
• Growth Mindset
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  http://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  

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:

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

In this special bonus episode, Andrew Wiltse from Daisy Fresh and Wiltse Bros BJJ joins us for a raw and transparent conversation about mental health, the future of Jiu-Jitsu, and how we can best support our athletes.

Wiltse Bros. on BJJ Fanatics:
https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/instructional-videos/fighter_andrew-wiltse

Wiltse Bros. on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/WiltseBrothersBJJ

Wiltse Bros. on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/WiltseBrothersBJJ/

Resource mentioned in this episode:
How to Win, by Rafael Lovato Jr.
https://www.timelessjiujitsu.com/how-to-win

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://premium.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 Rachel Ranschau!  Rachel is a black belt under André Galvão and an avid Jiu-Jitsu note-taker.  In this episode, Rachel shares her approach to note-taking, and explains how it accelerates information retention and skill development.

Follow Rachel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rachelranschau/

Check out Rachel's Jiu Jitsu X instructional, Systematically Starting Sleeves:
https://bit.ly/3Z6nwgA

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Effortful Retrieval
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Extreme Ownership
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/extreme-ownership/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/
  
  
• Naming Concepts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/naming-concepts/
  
  
• Spaced Repetition
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/spaced-repetition/
  
  
• Ulysses Contracts
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ulysses-contracts/
  
  
• Learning Modalities
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities/
  
  

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined by Jake Luigi!  Jake is best known as the creator of the hugely popular BJJ YouTube channel, Less Impressed More Involved.  In this episode, Jake explains his analytical approach, which he used to create one of the most essential Jiu-Jitsu resources on YouTube.  A great listen for anyone interested in research and tape study.

Jake's YouTube channel - Less Impressed More Involved:
https://www.youtube.com/@LIMIBJJ

Jake's podcast - 1-800-BJJ-HELP:
https://1800bjjhelp.buzzsprout.com/

Jake's instructional - Less Impressed More Half Guard Passing:
https://limibjj.mykajabi.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Making Smaller Circles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circles/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Resulting Fallacy
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• 80/20 Rule
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/80-20-rule/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/
  
  

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined by Amanda Bruse!  Amanda is a new black belt under André Galvão, and just joined the BJJ Mental Models review team!  In this episode, Amanda provides some great perspective on how competitors can navigate competition anxiety.

Follow Amanda on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/amandabruse.bjj/

Book referenced on the podcast:
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
https://amzn.to/3W8v8xs

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Growth From Discomfort
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• You Are What You Train
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/you-are-what-you-train/
  
  
• Technique Visualization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-visualization/
  
  
• Habits Over Results
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/habits-over-results/
  
  
• Perception-Action Coupling
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Law of Contrast
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/law-of-contrast/
  
  
• Flow
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/flow/
  
  
• Building Your Triggers
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/building-your-triggers/
  
  
• Reflecting "As If"
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reflecting-as-if/
  
  
• Controlled Breathing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/
  
  
• Staying Loose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/
  
  

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:

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined again by BJJMM team member and fan favorite Margot Ciccarelli!  They call her "The Nomadic Mars" for a reason: Margot has lived the nomadic lifestyle and has trained at gyms all around the world.  In this episode, Margot shares her tips for becoming a world-class athlete from anywhere in the world.

Follow Margot on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/margotciccarelli/

Get coaching from Margot:
https://margotciccarelli.com/

Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Intention
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention/
  
  
• Idea Communism
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/idea-communism/
  
  
• Feedback Loop
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop/
  
  
• Growth Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Scientific Method
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/scientific-method/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
• Plus, Minus, Equals
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/plus-minus-equals/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  

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/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake 

This week we're joined by Taylor Biagi!  Taylor is the founder and head instructor at Taylor Biagi Jiu Jitsu in Chicago.  In this episode, Steve and Taylor talk about how instructors learn, and how their learning journey is different from that of a student.

Follow Taylor on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/taylorbiagibjj/

Taylor's website:
https://taylorbiagijiujitsu.com/

Taylor's email:
info@taylorbiagijiujitsu.com


Resources referenced in this podcast:

The Danaher Diaries, by Heroes of the Art
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087MD1M33

Ep. 214: Mental Performance Coaching, feat. Justin Su'a
https://bjj.plus/214

Ep. 207: The Kaboom Kids BJJ Framework, feat. Kabir Bath
https://bjj.plus/207


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  
• First Principles
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/first-principles/
  
  
• Concepts Over Techniques
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniques/
  
  
• Naming Concepts
  https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/naming-concepts/
  
  
• Incremental Learning
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/
  
  
• Train With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/
  
  
• Training Handicaps
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps/
  
  
• Growth Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-mindset/
  
  
• Mental Gatekeeping
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mental-gatekeeping/
  
  
• Curse of Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge/

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.co

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake