Competition

Frank Trigg is an MMA pioneer, former UFC Welterweight title challenger, UFC Hall of Famer, MMA referee, and actor/stuntman. Frank discusses his start in sports and wrestling, competing in MMA, transitioning to acting and becoming a stunt man, refereeing, sailing, and he shares some stories from his MMA days. Thanks to our podcast sponsors: Charlotte's Web CBD. Head over to www.charlottesweb.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase. Epic Roll BJJ. Check out www.epicrollbjj.com and use the promo code Chewjitsu to get 15% off of your total purchase.

In today's episode Josh interviews 2nd degree black belt Nick Sanders. Nick talks about his unique journey that includes joining the army, becoming  a US marshall, and then a physical therapist by day and Jiu-jitsu coach by night.

Oliver Taza trains at Tristar in Montreal with Firas Zahabi and at Renzo Gracie's in New York City with John Danaher. With his impeccable technique and aggressive grappling style he has amassed an impressive array of wins at Polaris, Metamoris, the ADCC Trials, the No Gi Worlds, and many more competitions. In this episode we go deep into the training and technical development required to hang with the Danaher Death Squad monsters and win at the elite level. I think you'll really like it! Also check out the new instructional I did with Oliver Taza called No Gi Leglocks at https://www.grapplearts.com/taza. I guarantee that it'll immediately take your leglock game up to the next level and allow you to tap out your training partners more often! Cheers, Stephan

Emil Fischer joins the show and discusses ego culture in some academies, controlling aggression and intensity, "rude" techniques and why it doesn't matter if you tap in training, even to lower ranks. He also talks about why he always studies his opponents

Here Josh Interviews 3x world champion Claudia Do Val. She offers an incredibly unique perspective on bjj considering she has done over 200 seminars and gotten to train at more academies than most of us can imagine. 

This week, Steve and Matt talk about how to identify and exploit opportunities. **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Core Mechanics [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/core-mechanics/)- Grips Dictate Position [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/)- Train with Purpose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/)- Win Conditions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions/)- Kaizen [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/)- Predictable Responses [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/)- Technique Chaining [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/)- Return on Investment [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](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](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

In this conversation BJJ black belt Jon Thomas and I go deep into training and drilling methodologies that give you results as fast as possible. Jon is originally from the US but teaches at a school in Sweden. He still competes at a high level, so he has had to take extreme ownership over his results using reverse-engineering and a very analytical approach to his training. In this episode we go deep into how everyone learns BJJ differently and how therefore the optimal learning environment is also different for everyone. We also cover training methodologies you can use to get better at a smaller gym without a world class talent pool of sparring partners (hint: basically it involves turning your gym into a scientific laboratory for developing techniques). You'll also learn how to increase your mat time without incurring more injuries, methods to develop attack systems from different positions, tournament strategies vs training strategies, and our thoughts on how many top level competitors are on steroids Follow Jon on Instagram where he shares a ton of great techniques at @jonthomasbjj And while you're there also follow me (Stephan Kesting) at @stephan_kesting

Highlights from our Pro Show February 15 2020

Wrestling Promo

This week, Steve and Matt talk about passivity. I mean, if it's okay with you. If not, we can talk about something else. **Mental models discussed in this episode:** - Growth from Discomfort [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/)- Path of Least Resistance [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/)- Dictate the Pace [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/)- Defensive Thinking [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defensive-thinking/)- Train with Purpose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/train-with-purpose/) **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](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](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Indtryk fra DM i Greve 1. februar 2020. En lang god dag klippet ned til 2 min og 30 sek.

In this episode Josh discusses how much losing in jiu-jitsu can suck but also how we can use a lose to suck less at jiu-jitsu.

There's an old saying that goes… *"Don't do what's best for you. Instead do what's worst for your opponent."* There's a lot of truth there. In a competition your odds of victory go way up if you can prevent your opponent doing the things that he is best at. ## Optimal Sparring Strategy Rolling in training is different from rolling in competition. In training, during sparring, you actually WANT to spend at least some time in your sparring partner's strongest areas. **This way you can get the highest quality training possible.** This is especially true if you're bigger or better than the other guy. You WANT to let him into the game so that you can get a good training session in and learn something. So figure out what any given sparring partner is really good at and occasionally let them do it to you! Here's a concrete example… A few days ago I sparred with someone who was 50 lbs lighter than me. Had I just passed his guard and played crush the bug for the rest of the session this would have been good for my ego but bad for my jiu-jitsu. Instead we stayed and played in an area where he is strong – the lasso spider guard – for almost the whole training session. Every time I passed his guard (or he swept me) we would stop and reset back in his lasso guard. The net result of this training was that my training partner got to develop his game against a bigger and reasonably skilled opponent, and I got to work on a somewhat underdeveloped aspect of my game (I've been working no gi a lot and so I needed to blow the dust off of my defences to all these gi-based entanglements). **There are competitive elements to training, but training is not competition and competition is not training.** Tapping a lighter or a less experienced player out 35 times in a 5 minute match does neither of you any good. The goal of training is to get better. By purposely allowing your training partners to use their best positions and techniques while sparring allows you to feel, experience, and struggle against the highest level jiu-jitsu available to you. That will make you better. ## Ego is the Enemy Of course life will be easier if you spend all your time doing only things that you're good at.But are you actually going to learn anything new that way? Ego is the enemy. Succumb to it and you'll get injured, burnt out, and get better much slower. Ginni Rometty, the first female CEO of IBM, said, "*Growth and comfort do not coexist.*" Which is a more succinct way of stating that there is no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone. Sometimes it comes down to a question of looking good or getting good. And sometimes you've got to look stupid to get better. *Stephan* **P.S.** Check out The Guard Retention Formula in App, DVD, and Online Streaming format at https://www.grapplearts.com/guardretention

Marco Antonio Castrillón, subcampeón de Europa de Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

A deep dive into designing and running MMA fight camps, how to mix striking with wrestling and jiu-jitsu, conditioning for fights, and much more with Greg Nelson. Greg has trained many MMA and UFC fighters including Brock Lesnar, Dave Menne, Sean Sherk and Thug Rose Namajunas. I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you will too! Grab my free downloadable guide to learning BJJ fast at https://www.grapplearts.com/book Check out the huge archive of techniques and detailed training tips at https://www.grapplearts.com/articles/ ----------------------------------- Grab the "Grapplearts BJJ Master App" with more than 500 minutes of free black belt instruction here: iPhone and iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bjj-master-app-by-grapplearts/id1308072068 Android phones and tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grappleartcontainer ----------------------------------- Here are some of my social media links... Tiktok (NEW): https://vm.tiktok.com/QQDSBt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grapplearts Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/stephankesting Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/stephankesting ----------------------------------- And, most importantly, good luck with your training! Stephan

Nick Rodriguez returns to recap his ADCC performance and to talk about visualization, controlled aggression and the importance of removing dead weight from your life. He also talks about blending wrestling with BJJ and working through injuries

In this interview Josh interviews his long time friend/enemy Ezra Lenon. This is by the the most wide ranging episode to date. The best way to see what it's about is to take a listen!

Comprido joins the show to talk about growing up in Brazil in a neighborhood filled with legends, competition strategy and ref bias. He also talks about the infamous Alliance team split and he sounds off on steroid and marijuana usage in BJJ.

First times competing can be scary. This is the advise I give to my students about competition.

Oliver Taza is back! Matt and Oliver discuss Oliver's performance at No Gi Worlds, gym ownership, tournament strategy, and today's competitors. **Need more BJJ Mental Models?**Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our mailing list: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/join/) Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/) Let them know you're an educated grappler with our merch: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/store/) Get the latest BJJ Mental Models updates from Facebook: [https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/](https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/) Music by Enterprize: [https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/](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](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta)

Demian Maia returns to the show to talk about his recent win over Ben Askren, managing fear and his plans for after fighting. He also goes deep on the details of his game, shares his thoughts on drilling and talks about parenting as a pro fighter.

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by BJJ brown belt Justin Court. Justin is a BJJ Brown Belt and multiple time Pan Am champion and World Champion at various belt levels. We discuss Jiu-Jitsu competition including competing in Gi vs. No-Gi, the techniques that are used consistently at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu competition, working around injuries, the mental aspect of competition and training, and much more. Justin also discusses how he has kept his body healthy through strength training, diet, and recovery techniques.

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by BJJ brown belt Justin Court. Justin is a BJJ Brown Belt and multiple time Pan Am champion and World Champion at various belt levels. We discuss Jiu-Jitsu competition including competing in Gi vs. No-Gi, the techniques that are used consistently at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu competition, working around injuries, the mental aspect of competition and training, and much more. Justin also discusses how he has kept his body healthy through strength training, diet, and recovery techniques.

Nathan Mendelsohn joins the show to talk about training in Brazil, learning Portuguese and structuring a kids class. He also talks about competition preparation and his new Hip Hop album Kimura Trap Vol 1 featuring the hit single "No G in a Gi".