This week we're joined by Giles Garcia!  Giles is the head coach at Ronin Grappling in Glasgow, Scotland.  In this episode, Giles explains why it's so important that coaches help their students simplify their thinking surrounding Jiu-Jitsu. Follow Giles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_guanche Train with Giles at Ronin Grappling: https://roningrappling.com/ Learn from Giles online at BJJ Codex: https://www.bjjcodex.com/ Resources discussed in this episode: White Belt Survival Course w/ Christian Graugart https://youtu.be/vOznf6T9B8I Mental models discussed in this e ..read more

This week we're joined by Stuart Cooper!  Stuart is best known for his incredible Jiu-Jitsu documentaries, but he's also an outstanding black belt with a deadly guard passing game.  In this episode, Stuart joins us to discuss some of the best styles and strategies for passing the guard. Follow Stuart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartcooperfilms Subscribe to Stuart's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/stuartcooperfilms Support Stuart's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/StuartCooperFilms Resources discussed in this episode: Less Impressed More Invol ..read more

We're giving you a bonus episode because yesterday's release was an April Fools' Day joke. ? This episode is the second in a new BJJ Mental Models Premium series: Grappling With Confidence.  In this episode, we're joined by breakout star and 2023 ADCC European champion Jozef Chen!  Jozef discusses the importance of confidence for building resilience, the challenges faced by high-profile grapplers, and strategies for compartmentalization. Follow Jozef on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jozefchenjj Watch Jozef on the B Team YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BTeamJiuJits ..read more

This week we're joined again by Priit Mihkelson, formerly of Defensive BJJ!  In this episode, Priit shares some shocking news: he is abandoning his study of defensive Jiu-Jitsu.  We discuss Priit's new focus on 100% offensive BJJ, including topics such as: flash submissions, attacking from inside the guard, winning by injury stoppage, and biting mechanics. Follow Priit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priit_mihkelson Sign up for Defensive BJJ (soon to be rebranded Offensive BJJ): https://defensivebjj.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Submission Over Position h ..read more

This week we're joined by Mike Jaramillo!  Mike is John Danaher's first black belt and the advanced no gi instructor at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York.  In this episode, Mike discusses Jiu-Jitsu's power as a "happy pill" to enhance mental health, combat depression, and bring people together. Follow Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikejaramillo_bjj Follow The Happy Pill Project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappypillproject Support The Happy Pill Project: https://linktr.ee/thehappypillproject Support the We Defy Foundation: https://wedefyfoundation ..read more

This episode was originally for BJJ Mental Models Premium subscribers, but you're getting it for free!  The Highest Levels is a BJJMM Premium podcast on peak performance hosted by Emily Kwok and Joe Hannan.  In this episode, Emily is joined by arguably the greatest pound-for-pound grappler in the history of the sport, Marcelo Garcia.  I really don't have any words to describe this one - give it a listen. Follow Marcelo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcelogarciajiujitsu/ Follow Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj/ Follow Joe on Instagram: https ..read more

This week we're joined again by Emily Kwok!  Emily is a peak performance consultant and multi-time BJJ black belt world champion representing Marcelo Garcia.  In this episode, Emily introduces polarity mapping: a powerful tool for understanding nuance and breaking through either/or thinking.  We discuss polarities in Jiu-Jitsu, such as: tension/slack, fast/slow, retraction/extension, holding on/letting go, and concepts/techniques. Emily's website: https://www.emilykwok.com/ Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykwokbjj Resources discussed in this episode: BJJMM ..read more

This week we're joined again by Rob Biernacki!  Fresh off winning his first world championship at 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds in the masters 4 black belt middleweight division, Rob joins us to unveil a new submission he's been developing for the past year: the roadhouse choke.  It's a modified throat post choke that Rob recently used successfully in competition, and it's surprisingly legal under most rulesets. Watch Rob's demonstration of the roadhouse choke: https://youtu.be/5-WKLUfG2H4 Watch Rob use the roadhouse choke in competition: https://youtu.be/1AyB89AzkDs Buy Rob's roadhouse ..read more

We make a LOT of educational Jiu-Jitsu content here at BJJ Mental Models!  Whether you're into our free resources or a BJJMM Premium subscriber, here's a playbook on how to best use ALL our content to become a better grappler. Watch this on YouTube to see the visuals: https://youtu.be/4vbreoHjVR8 Here's a link to the course mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/436VPrb 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 journ ..read more

This week we're joined by David Porter!  David is a black belt under Pedro Sauer and manages XCAL Martial Arts in Ashburn, Virginia.  In this episode, David discusses the importance of choosing your coaching language carefully.  David shares best practices such as: focusing on evergreen mechanics, clarity in language, aligning with student goals, avoiding complacency, and naming conventions. Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanky_mongoose Train with David at XCAL: https://xcal.com/ Check out David's instructionals on BJJ Fanatics: https://bjjfanatics.com/c ..read more