Technique

Roli Delgado joins the show to talk about overcoming fear of failure, the pursuit of vindication, the importance of conditioning and why you need to get tired in training. He also reflects on his MMA career and explains why his primary focus is now BJJ

This week Steve and Matt discuss kuzushi, the Japanese art of balance breaking. Mental models discussed in this episode: - Kuzushi [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kuzushi/)- Path of Least Resistance [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/path-of-least-resistance/)- Technique Chaining [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/technique-chaining/)- Types of Guard [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/types-of-guard/)- Microtransitions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/)- Staying Loose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/)- Mask Your Intentions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/mask-your-intentions/)- Predictable Responses [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/predictable-responses/) We maintain an online database of the mental models governing Jiu-Jitsu at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://bjjmentalmodels.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)

On this episode we are joined by Daniel Strauss aka "The Raspberry Ape." Daniel is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under 10x world champion, Roger Gracie. Daniel is an active and successful jiu-jitsu competitor who has participated in some of the world's biggest grappling tournaments. On the podcast, Daniel discusses his start in jiu-jitsu, how a severe back injury changed his style of BJJ, and how he worked around his injury and returned to training. He also talks about his love for all types of weight-lifting and strength training and the impact it has had on his jiu-jitsu. Daniel is also the host of "The Raspberry Ape Podcast." Find out more about Daniel at https://raspberryape.com/

Jake Mackenzie joins the show to talk about the early days of BJJ in Canada, living and training in Brazil, the benefits of competition and creating a gameplan. He also gives a great technical breakdown of the Half Guard.

On this episode, we are joined by Strength & Conditioning coach Joe Clark. Joe is the co-owner of Derby City MMA and Chewy's business partner. He is also a former body builder, holds five state records in Olympic Lifting, and is the co-creator of the "Grappling Power Program" (a strength training program developed for Jiu-Jitsu athletes). On this episode we discuss how Joe got his start in lifting and strength training, how he started working at Derby City MMA and eventually became a co-owner of the gym, training BJJ, and the importance of strength training in performance and injury-prevention. Q&A starts at (56:00) and topics covered include mat fees, best lifts for BJJ, how cycling can help cardio for BJJ, what Chewy looks in a BJJ instructor, 1 Rep Max vs. 3 Rep Max, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), the importance of strengthening training for men vs. women, is "old man strength" real, and much more.

In this blast from the past, I have a fun conversation about BJJ, Judo and MMA with Jeff MEszaros, one of the guy si started training with 25 years ago! Self defense applications of BJJ, Russian team MMA events , Judo and the early days of the Uncle Willy's Grappling Association. The joys and hazards of learning BJJ in Brazil, The evolution of BJJ (and how we got to double guard pulls), why describing BJJ as the "Male Pyjama Wrestler" tends to give people the wrong idea and so much more...

Travis Stevens returns to the show to talk about his Olympic experience in Rio, nearly losing his leg to staph and pursuing goals through adversity. He also covers team loyalty, grip fighting and the required work ethic and discipline to be elite.

If done properly works everytime! Worried about butterfly? Check our Instagram for the simple answer!

On this episode of the podcast, Chewy starts with a ramble on what he would have told his younger self. Chewy and Eugene share some of the mistakes they have made in jiu-jitsu and in life, the importance of making mistakes, and how to learn from and move past the mistakes. Q&A (at 41 minutes) includes: Chewy's thoughts on private lessons. How to return to BJJ after a long lay off. What is the "middle state" for training? How important is aggressiveness in BJJ? How to deal with shoulder injuries in BJJ. How to train if you have one-sided weakness in your body due to a stroke. How to deal with not having enough energy to train if you are an older grappler and work a lot. How to get over a groin strain. How to handle stress and anxiety before BJJ training. Tips for a brand new BJJ white belt.

Danielle Kelly joins the show to talk about her journey in grappling, the development of her style, her favorite competition ruleset and adding Wrestling to BJJ. She also gives a technical breakdown of maintaining back control effectively

For more information visit http://www.frota-team.ch/

Today marks the first of a new five-part series on BJJ Mental Models: the instructor series! We're going to cover topics relevant to instructors and gym owners. Today's topic is coaching, and we're going to discuss: going from practitioner to coach, teaching class, one-on-one instruction, coaching children, coaching tournaments, and teaching seminars. Mental models discussed in this episode: - Beginner's Mind [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/)- Psychological Safety [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/psychological-safety/)- Respect People, not Positions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/respect-people-not-positions/)- Incremental Learning [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/incremental-learning/)- Learning Styles [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-styles/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-styles/)- The Golden Rule [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/)- Kaizen [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kaizen/) We maintain an online database of the mental models governing Jiu-Jitsu at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://bjjmentalmodels.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)

This blast from the past podcast brings back a good friend of mine, Brandon Mullins. In our time together, we discussed Life and Death on the seminar circuit, transitioning from gi to no-gi, the evolution of Jiu Jitsu and some ways to help manage training, conditioning and sparring.

Roy Dean is a martial arts pro. In this podcast, he explains the fundamental differences between the different martial arts, including Aikido and how he translates it over to other martial arts. He also talks about what kind of markers and skill differences he looks out for when bringing people up to the next belt and whether the belt should be used as motivation or if it disrupts the learning process. To check out his apps or instructional DVD's, go to his website at: roydeanacademy.com

This is a short rant about the dichotomy of individuality in the martial arts. On the one hand you absolutely have to take responsibility for finding techniques and strategies that fit your body, your physical attributes, and your personality. On the other hand if you spend too much time training in a small group without the opportunity to calibrate your skills against people much better than you then you can end up king of your local hill and never make it up the slopes of the higher mountains around you! Stephan Kesting

One of BJJ's most exciting stars, Lucas Barbosa joins the show to talk about following in his idol's footsteps in Brazil, overcoming poverty and the law of attraction. He also discusses training, drilling and building a solid game

As the old saying goes, "the bigger they are, the harder they cross-face you from side control." This week Steve and Matt discuss the perils of fighting larger opponents. Mental models discussed in this episode: - Do What Works [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/do-what-works/)- Growth from Discomfort [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/growth-from-discomfort/)- Investing in Loss [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/)- Dictate the Pace [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dictate-the-pace/)- Dominant Angles [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/dominant-angles/)- Microtransitions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/)- Shifting Platforms [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/)- Grips Dictate Position [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grips-dictate-position/)- Grip Inversion [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/grip-inversion/)- Limb Coiling [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/)- Staying Loose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/) We maintain an online database of the mental models governing Jiu-Jitsu at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://bjjmentalmodels.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)

Not many people know that in 2015 I was dying of kidney failure and had to have a lifesaving kidney transplant surgery to save my life. Here is the story of that transplant from my brother (eternal thanks to https://www.instagram.com/christophkesting/), the recovery process, and getting back to normal. IMPORTANT: Listen to the end of the podcasts to get the details on how I'll give you a complete BJJ instructional just for signing your organ donor card!!! Don't you love it when people bribe you to do the right thing?

Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa joins the show to talk about finding BJJ in Puerto Rico, the early days of MMA, training and living in Brazil and teaching effectively. He also discusses the difficult decision some students face of switching teams.

As the saying goes, if you don't lose you'll eventually win. This week's episode discusses strategies for surviving bad positions like side control, knee on belly, mount, and back mount. Mental models discussed in this episode: - Alignment [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment/)- Alignment vs Position [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/alignment-over-position/)- Defend with Purpose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/)- Limb Coiling [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/limb-coiling/)- Elbow-Knee Connection [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/elbow-knee-connection/)- Kinetic Chains [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/kinetic-chains/)- Controlled Breathing [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/)- Staying Loose [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/)- Microtransitions [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/microtransitions/)- Shifting Platforms [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/shifting-platforms/) We maintain an online database of the mental models governing Jiu-Jitsu at: [https://bjjmentalmodels.com/](https://bjjmentalmodels.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)