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BJJ Mental Models

BJJ Mental Models

Written by: Steve Kwan
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About this listen

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.

© 2025 BJJ Mental Models
Combat Sports & Self-Defense Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Mini Ep. 61: Systematic Abandonment
    Jul 3 2025

    In this week's mini-episode we discuss the concept of systematic abandonment, a mental model co-opted from business strategists like Peter Drucker and Michael Porter. Systematic abandonment teaches us to periodically review and discard habits that are no longer useful, because deciding what not to do is often just as (if not more) important than deciding what to do.

    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/

    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Ep. 344: Ankle Lock Strategy, feat. Jake O'Driscoll
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episode of BJJ Mental Models, Steve Kwan is joined by Jake O’Driscoll from Essence BJJ in Perth for an in-depth discussion on the straight foot lock game. Jake explains his unique finishing mechanics, how his method differs from the popular “Woj Lock,” and how he uses straight foot locks not just for submissions but to control, off-balance, and transition to dominant positions like the back or mount. He emphasizes the importance of using 50/50 as a dynamic, offensive platform rather than a stalling position and shares insights on controlling all three leg joints for effective submissions. Jake also offers coaching advice, training concepts, and resources for grapplers looking to master the modern leg lock meta.

    Follow Jake on Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/jakeod_essencebjj

    Train with Jake at Essence BJJ in Perth:
    https://essencebjj.com.au/

    Learn online from Jake via his Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/user?u=112559996


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

    • 3 Joint Rule
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/3-joint-rule/

    • Direct vs. Proxy Control
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/direct-vs-proxy-control/

    • Myopia
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/myopia/

    • Mask Your Intentions
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/

    • Dilemma
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dilemma/

    • Asymmetric Warfare
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/asymmetric-warfare/

    • Kuzushi
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/

    • Defense Paradox
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox/


    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/

    Show more Show less
    1 hr
  • Mini Ep. 60: Flow
    Jun 25 2025

    In this week's mini-episode we discuss the concept of flow, a mental model for peak performance first proposed in 1975 by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

    Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro


    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
    https://www.harpercollins.com/products/flow-mihaly-csikszentmihalyi

    Mini Ep. 57: The Map Is Not the Territory
    https://podcast.bjjmentalmodels.com/243161/episodes/17285192-mini-ep-57-the-map-is-not-the-territory


    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/

    Show more Show less
    10 mins

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