• Mini Ep. 127: Confirmation Bias
    Oct 8 2026

    In this mini-episode, we explain confirmation bias: the human tendency to favor information that supports our existing beliefs, and discard information that doesn't.

    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


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    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter

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

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

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    8 mins
  • Ep. 411: The Fragmentation of Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Jeff Serafin
    Oct 5 2026

    This week, we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff runs Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu out of Gym 1801 in Evanston, Illinois, and has been training jiu-jitsu for almost 30 years. In this episode, Jeff talks about the fragmentation of the jiu-jitsu community, and what coaches and students can do to bring it back together. Topics include: gi versus no-gi tribalism, ecological versus traditional training, gatekeeping, and cross-training.

    Train at Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (inside Gym 1801) in Evanston, IL:
    https://serafinjiujitsu.com

    Follow Jeff on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/serafinbjj

    Follow Gym 1801 on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/gym.1801


    Resources discussed in this episode:

    Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics, by Steve Kwan:
    https://bjj.plus/mini120


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

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

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

    • Keep Your Identity Small
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small

    • Certainty Heuristic
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/certainty-heuristic

    • Beginner's Mind
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind

    • Resulting Fallacy
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/resulting

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

    • Survivorship Bias
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/survivorship-bias

    • Rapoport's Rules
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/rapoports-rules

    • Curse of Knowledge
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/curse-of-knowledge

    • Intention
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention


    ⬆️ 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

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Mini Ep. 126: Visualization
    Oct 1 2026

    In this mini-episode, we explain visualization: the science behind it, its limitations, the difference between general and technique visualization, and how it applies to 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

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    6 mins
  • Ep. 410: Instructing Versus Coaching, feat. Hillary VanOrnum
    Sep 28 2026

    This week, we're joined by Hillary VanOrnum! Hillary is a third-degree black belt who runs Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon with her husband, and she just won her first Masters World Championship at black belt. In this episode, Hillary explains the difference between instructing and coaching, and how she uses questions to help students work out answers for themselves. Topics include: relating jiu-jitsu to sports students already know, building on each student's favorite techniques, letting go of control as a gym owner, turning Instagram clips into homework, and coaching students who only train twice a week.

    Train at Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in Portland, OR:
    https://unicornjiujitsu.com

    Get private lessons, online coaching, or coach mentorship with Hillary:
    https://unicornjiujitsu.com/page/PrivateLessons

    Follow Hillary on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/unicorn_jiujitsu

    Follow Unicorn Jiu Jitsu on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/unicornjiujitsupdx

    Follow the Gathering of the Unicorns women's camp on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/gathering_of_the_unicorns


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

    • Transfer of Learning
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/transfer-of-learning

    • Tokui Waza
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/tokui-waza

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

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

    • Feedback Loop
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/feedback-loop

    • Effortful Retrieval
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/effortful-retrieval

    • Psychological Safety
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety


    ⬆️ 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

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    1 hr
  • 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

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    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

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    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
  • Ep. 408: Intention-Led Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Rob Cole
    Sep 14 2026

    This week, we're joined by Rob Cole! Rob has been training martial arts for over 35 years, 25 of them focused on grappling, and he coaches at Ascension Athletics in Connecticut, where he runs his practice through the ecological dynamics framework. In this episode, Rob explains the intention-led approach, where you give students a goal to work toward instead of specific things to focus on. Topics include: a plain-language primer on ecological dynamics, intention versus attention, win conditions as a driver of behavior, grip fighting as a warm-up, teaching leglocks without fear.

    Follow Rob on Instagram:
    https://instagram.com/liquid_rob

    Train with Rob at Ascension Athletics:
    https://ascensionathleticsct.com


    Resources discussed in this episode:

    The Constraints-Led Approach, by Ian Renshaw, Keith Davids, Daniel Newcombe and Will Roberts:
    https://routledge.com/9781138104075

    Ecological Dynamics in Sport Coaching, by Steve M. Smith:
    https://routledge.com/9781032869223

    Ep. 144: The Constraints-Led Approach, feat. Dr. Rob Gray:
    https://bjj.plus/144

    Ep. 330: The Student's Guide to Eco, feat. Noah Shaffner & Greg Souders:
    https://bjj.plus/330


    Mental models discussed in this episode:

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

    • Intention
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/intention

    • Ecological Psychology
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-psychology

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

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

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

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

    • Deliberate Practice
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practice

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

    • Psychological Safety
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety

    • Consistency
      https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency


    ⬆️ 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 7 mins