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BJJ Mental Models

Explore the conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Black belt Steve Kwan and a slate of expert guests discuss the mental models, or universal principles, behind the gentle art.

Ranked #1

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Ep. 3: Anatomic Hierarchy, Grips

Ep. 3: Anatomic Hierarchy, Grips

Steve & Matt discuss Jiu-Jitsu mental models involving the human body.  A great discussion on how to use your body a... Read more

21 Jan 2019

1hr 10mins

Ranked #2

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Ep. 29: Elbow-Knee Connection

Ep. 29: Elbow-Knee Connection

This week Steve and Matt discuss the elbow-knee connection: a shockingly simple concept that, when applied intelligently... Read more

22 Jul 2019

1hr 8mins

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Ranked #3

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Ep. 4: Dominant Angles

Ep. 4: Dominant Angles

Steve & Matt discuss the importance of dominant angles in Jiu-Jitsu, both for advancing position and shutting down y... Read more

28 Jan 2019

1hr 7mins

Ranked #4

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Ep. 16: Guard Series: Engagement Phase

Ep. 16: Guard Series: Engagement Phase

Introducing the first in a three-part series on the guard!  This week Steve and Matt discuss the engagement phase, where... Read more

22 Apr 2019

1hr 8mins

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Ranked #5

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Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernacki

Ep. 50: Alignment 2.0, feat. Rob Biernacki

It all begins again.  For our 50th episode, Steve and Matt revisit the topic of our very first episode: the alignment fr... Read more

16 Dec 2019

1hr 44mins

Ranked #6

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Ep. 21: Surviving Bad Positions

Ep. 21: Surviving Bad Positions

As the saying goes, if you don't lose you'll eventually win.  This week's episode discusses strategies for surviving bad... Read more

27 May 2019

1hr 6mins

Ranked #7

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Ep. 17: Guard Series: Maintenance Phase

Ep. 17: Guard Series: Maintenance Phase

In the second episode of our three-part guard series, Matt and Steve discuss the maintenance phase, where both grapplers... Read more

29 Apr 2019

1hr 11mins

Ranked #8

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Ep. 20: Longevity

Ep. 20: Longevity

They call it your Jiu-Jitsu journey for a reason.  Steve and Matt explain how to stay healthy and motivated for decades.... Read more

20 May 2019

1hr

Ranked #9

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Ep. 53: Being Bad at Jiu-Jitsu

Ep. 53: Being Bad at Jiu-Jitsu

This week's episode is for those of us who aren't natural Jiu-Jitsu prodigies.Mental models discussed in this episode:Se... Read more

6 Jan 2020

59mins

Ranked #10

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Ep. 62: Cults, feat. Rob Biernacki - Part 1

Ep. 62: Cults, feat. Rob Biernacki - Part 1

This week, Steve and Matt are once again joined by Rob Biernacki to discuss a topic very near and dear to us: cults and ... Read more

9 Mar 2020

1hr 14mins

Ranked #11

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Ep. 18: Guard Series: Retention Phase

Ep. 18: Guard Series: Retention Phase

In the final episode of our three-part guard series, Matt and Steve discuss the retention phase, where grapplers make th... Read more

6 May 2019

1hr 8mins

Ranked #12

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Ep. 34: Funneling

Ep. 34: Funneling

Funneling, as coined by Nelson Puentes from Inverted Gear, is the strategy of forcing your opponent into areas where you... Read more

26 Aug 2019

1hr

Ranked #13

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Ep. 5: Finishing Mechanics

Ep. 5: Finishing Mechanics

Steve & Matt explain how to effectively finish submissions.Mental models discussed in this episode:Choking Mechanics... Read more

4 Feb 2019

1hr 11mins

Ranked #14

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Ep. 47: Systems

Ep. 47: Systems

This week, Steve and Matt discuss systems thinking for Jiu-Jitsu.  Organizing ideas into systems is one of the best ways... Read more

25 Nov 2019

1hr 2mins

Ranked #15

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Ep. 8: Rapid Learning

Ep. 8: Rapid Learning

Steve & Matt explore techniques to increase learning efficiency.Mental models discussed in this episode:Principles o... Read more

25 Feb 2019

1hr 16mins

Ranked #16

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Ep. 55: Passing Guard

Ep. 55: Passing Guard

How have we not covered this topic yet?  In this week's episode, Steve and Matt discuss the principles behind guard pass... Read more

20 Jan 2020

1hr 9mins

Ranked #17

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Ep. 42: Oliver Taza

Ep. 42: Oliver Taza

This week we were privileged to speak to Oliver Taza from the Danaher Death Squad.  Oliver shares his thoughts on compet... Read more

21 Oct 2019

1hr 18mins

Ranked #18

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Ep. 15: Force Vectors & Leading Edges

Ep. 15: Force Vectors & Leading Edges

Steve and Matt discuss Force Vectors and Leading Edges.  These mental models are critical to maintaining your guard once... Read more

15 Apr 2019

1hr 9mins

Ranked #19

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Ep. 37: Jiu-Jitsu as Therapy - Part 1

Ep. 37: Jiu-Jitsu as Therapy - Part 1

How much benefit does Jiu-Jitsu really have for your mental health?  We all know exercise is beneficial, but is there so... Read more

16 Sep 2019

56mins

Ranked #20

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Ep. 30: Double Trouble

Ep. 30: Double Trouble

This week Steve and Matt discuss double trouble, a mental model popularized by John Danaher.Mental models discussed in t... Read more

29 Jul 2019

1hr

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