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Ep. 410: Instructing Versus Coaching, feat. Hillary VanOrnum

Ep. 410: Instructing Versus Coaching, feat. Hillary VanOrnum

From BJJ Mental Models

September 28, 2026 · 1:00:15 · E410

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/gatheringofthe_unicorns

Mental models discussed in this episode:

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Music by Enterprize:
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