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BJJ Mental Models

BJJ Mental Models

Written by: Steve Kwan
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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-Defence Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Mini Ep. 125: Perception-Action Coupling
    Sep 24 2026

    In this mini-episode, we explain perception-action coupling: a sports science concept explaining how practice should give athletes the same cues they'd face in a real match.

    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

    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • Ep. 409: Super Mario Theory, feat. Nelson Puentes
    Sep 21 2026

    This week, we're joined by Nelson Puentes! Nelson co-founded Inverted Gear and runs Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Nelson explains his Super Mario theory of jiu-jitsu: a good game teaches you how to play it by raising the difficulty one step at a time, and a good jiu-jitsu class works the same way. Topics include: game design, resource management, coaching without instructions, defensive jiu-jitsu, and intrinsic motivation.

    Buy Inverted Gear apparel:
    https://invertedgear.com

    Train at Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, PA:
    https://invertedgearacademy.com

    Follow Nelson on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/invertedgearnelson


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

    • Zone of Proximal Development
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-proximal-development

    • Investing in Loss
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss

    • Constraints-Led Approach
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach

    • Self-Organization
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization

    • Gamification
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification

    • Ecological Dynamics
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics

    • Return on Investment
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment

    • Win Conditions
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions

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

    • Keep It Playful
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful

    • Perception-Action Coupling
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling

    • Continuum of Motivation
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation

    • Process Over Outcomes
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes


    ⬆️ 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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Mini Ep. 124: Deliberate Practice
    Sep 17 2026

    In this mini-episode, we explain deliberate practice: a training method intended to improve performance by addressing your weaknesses and breaking through plateaus.

    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

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
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