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BJJ Mental Models

BJJ Mental Models

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.

© 2026 BJJ Mental Models
Combat Sports & Self-Defense Hygiene & Healthy Living Wrestling
Episodes
  • Mini Ep. 104: Head Position
    Apr 30 2026

    In this mini-episode, we discuss head position, or how to tell if your head and neck are at risk in jiu-jitsu. We use a 3-point framework to determine if our head is safe:

    1. Avoid constriction (be safe from squeezing),
    2. Avoid impact (be safe from blunt force trauma), and
    3. Avoid broken posture (be safe from neck misalignment).


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


    ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

    The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com


    Need more BJJ Mental Models?

    Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

    Learn more mental models in our online database:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

    Follow us on social:
    https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
    https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
    https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
    https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels


    ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!

    MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Ep. 388: Injury and the Stockdale Paradox, feat. Alex Sterner
    Apr 27 2026

    This week, we're joined by Alex Sterner! Alex is a black belt and the owner of Electrum Performance in San Diego, where he coaches strength and conditioning for jiu-jitsu and combat sports athletes. In this episode, Alex breaks down the psychology of injury rehab and the Stockdale Paradox: the marriage of optimism about recovery with brutal acceptance of where you actually are right now. Topics include: pain as a feature, the staircase model of rehab, healing it like you hurt it, short term versus long term risk, and a sample weight room program for jiu-jitsu.

    Follow Alex on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/alex.sterner

    Follow Electrum Performance on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/electrum_performance

    Train with Alex on YouTube:
    https://youtube.com/@electrumperformance


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

    • Visualization
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/visualization

    • Mindfulness
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mindfulness

    • Growth from Discomfort
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort

    • Loss Aversion
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/loss-aversion

    • Compounding
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compounding

    • Timeframe Paradox
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/timeframe-paradox

    • Silver Bullet Fallacy
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/silver-bullet-fallacy

    • Prioritize Longevity
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity


    ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

    The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com


    Need more BJJ Mental Models?

    Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

    Learn more mental models in our online database:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

    Follow us on social:
    https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
    https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
    https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
    https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels

    Music by Enterprize:
    https://enterprize.bandcamp.com


    ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!

    MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Mini Ep. 103: Cracking the Whip
    Apr 23 2026

    In this mini-episode, we discuss "cracking the whip:" an external cue for better understanding the relationship between tension and slack in jiu-jitsu.

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


    ⬆️ LEVEL UP with BJJ Mental Models Premium!

    The world's LARGEST library of jiu-jitsu audio lessons, our complete podcast network, online coaching, and much more! Your first week is free:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com


    Need more BJJ Mental Models?

    Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

    Learn more mental models in our online database:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database

    Follow us on social:
    https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
    https://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
    https://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
    https://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels


    ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models!

    MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at:
    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
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