iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 18h

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. youtu.be/48yuDThZfTc

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Mini Ep. 127: Confirmation Bias

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

There is no absolute knowledge in #BJJ. Excerpt from BJJ Mental Models episode 411 featuring Jeff Serafin: bjj.plus/411

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 411 is now live! Jeff Serafin talks about the fragmentation of #BJJ due to competing rulesets and goals. youtu.be/iM5jvNVO17s

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Ep. 411: The Fragmentation of Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Jeff Serafin

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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 #BJJ. youtu.be/WGPiUt_sZvM

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Mini Ep. 126: Visualization

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 410 is now live! Hillary VanOrnum (Unicorn Jiu Jitsu) explains the distinction between instructing and coaching. youtu.be/RSVQyIXUZkI

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

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

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. youtu.be/kcTGdpojMyY

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Mini Ep. 125: Perception-Action Coupling

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The "Super Mario theory" of #BJJ, from Inverted Gear co-founder Nelson Puentes. From BJJ Mental Models Ep. 409: bjj.plus/409

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 409 is now live! Inverted Gear co-founder Nelson Puentes explains his "Super Mario theory" of #BJJ and difficulty level. youtu.be/-e06oOvYkqI

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Ep. 409: Super Mario Theory, feat. Nelson Puentes

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It's available on BJJ Mental Models Premium. Drop FIGHT in the comments and we'll gift you a free month so you can listen now!

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Jiu-jitsu changed in the world, in more ways than you might think. Excerpt from THIS IS WHY WE FIGHT, our university-level course on the history of jiu-jitsu, presented by Jeff Shaw from Bellingham BJJ and Western Washington University.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

We asked what you thought of #ADCC 2026 in our stories. Here's what you said...

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I wish someone told me this stuff when I started jiu-jitsu.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In this mini-episode, we explain DELIBERATE PRACTICE: a training method intended to improve performance by addressing your weaknesses and breaking through plateaus. youtu.be/JBIjo1kdlck

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Mini Ep. 124: Deliberate Practice

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#BJJ becomes so much simpler when you frame it as simple objectives and intentions. Excerpt from BJJ Mental Models episode 408 feat. Rob Cole: bjj.plus/408

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 408 is now live! Rob Cole explains the importance of teaching and training #BJJ in an intention-led manner, and how this bridges the divide between ecological dynamics and competing methods. youtu.be/w9bZqdvRQ4A

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Ep. 408: Intention-Led Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Rob Cole

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Wanting success isn't enough; you MUST enjoy the process. Excerpt from our new audio documentary exploring Chris Wojcik's best articles in The Grappler's Diary. Exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium; drop DIARY in the comments for a free month!

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

In this mini-episode, we explain DIFFERENTIAL LEARNING: a training approach used in sports proposing that motor skills are learned by varying how the movement is executed rather than trying to get it identical every time. youtu.be/Nf3JqDoN2eo

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Mini Ep. 123: Differential Learning

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 407 is now live! Jesse Walker and Shelby York (owners of Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, KY) share advice for "day zero" jiu-jitsu students looking to try the art for the first time. youtu.be/A9fp1Di_0uA

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Ep. 407: Day Zero Jiu-Jitsu, feat. Jesse Walker & Shelby York

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Drop LEVELS in the comments for a free month and start listening now!

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Gold medals are amazing achievements, but they won't fix feelings of unworthiness. Emily Kwok shares how her competitive mindset has evolved and matured in The Highest Levels Ep. 29, exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

How much "power" does a jiu-jitsu instructor have, anyway? Turns out, much more than they might think. It may not be a formally held position of authority, but psychologically, a coach's conduct has a huge impact on the people in the room. It's a big responsibility.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I’ve been working on a concept with my kid for the past few months... and I figure if it’s important enough to discuss with her, it’s probably important enough to discuss here too. 🤣 bjjmentalmodels.substack.com/p/sometimes-...

bjjmentalmodels.substack.com

🤫 Sometimes it's what you DON'T say...

I’ve been working on a concept with my kid for the past few months... and I figure if it’s important enough to discuss with her, it’s probably important enough to discuss here too. 🤣

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My instructions to the artist were: "Rob needs to look like he's enjoying this, and Stephan needs to look like he's very much not"

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Drop "HOBBITS" in the comments and we'll give you your first month free to check it out!

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

If it takes you 5 years to get a blue belt, your coach is an idiot. More spicy takes and gameplanning lessons from Josh "Kintanon" Wentworth in GAMEPLANNING FOR HOBBITS, a new jiu-jitsu strategy audio course exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

In this mini-episode, we explain GAMIFICATION: the practice of adding game-like elements to something in order to motivate a certain type of behavior. youtu.be/3gXojl7wo3U

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Mini Ep. 122: Gamification

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Did everyone enjoy Alec Baulding's new documentary about Margot Ciccarelli? I hope so! To coincide with this launch, we gave away our latest audio course with Margot for free! You can get it at bjjmentalmodels.com/margot

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Every jiu-jitsu gym wants to be free of drama and cliquiness, but going no-hierarchy isn't enough. If you don't steer the culture, new power structures and gym politics will emerge on their own. Excerpts from BJJ Mental Models Ep. 406: feat. Barbara Ruiken: bjj.plus/406

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Ordered another batch of these because you deviants took all the old ones. I wonder what our manufacturer thinks when they see these.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 406 is now live! Barbara Ruiken (black belt coach @ Bergen Grappling) discusses her master's thesis on leadership and power dynamics in #BJJ gyms. youtu.be/RjYs39mhvIo

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Ep. 406: The Problem of Leadership, feat. Barbara Ruiken & Giles Garcia

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It's exclusively available on BJJ Mental Models Premium, the world's largest audio library of jiu-jitsu masterclasses. Drop "ROUND" in the comments and we'll give you a month free!

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

See your athlete as more than just a machine for winning medals. Great coaching advice from Dr. Chris Round in his latest BJJ Mental Models audio documentary, ROUND CORNERS.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

In this mini-episode, we explain CONSTRAINTS-LED APPROACH (CLA) in simple terms, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. youtu.be/D9G95JwoeKk

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Mini Ep. 121: Constraints-Led Approach

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Don't worry about the guard pass! Focus on controlling the position, and the pass will come. Insights from BJJ Mental Models Ep. 404 with Rosie Miller.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 405 is now live! Black belt and Cambridge University researcher Itamar Shatz joins us to talk about the impact of procrastination in jiu-jitsu. youtu.be/zbMZe8iZHpk

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Ep. 405: Solving Procrastination, feat. Itamar Shatz

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

In this mini-episode, we explain ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS in simple terms, why it's misunderstood, and how it impacts your jiu-jitsu training. youtu.be/tmutSD1YUtk

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Mini Ep. 120: Ecological Dynamics

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

If you have to define your guard passing based on what your opponent is doing, they're probably winning. Great insights as always from Rosie Miller (BJJ Mental Models ep. 404).

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 404 is now live! Rosie Miller walks through how the cross-grip pass works, and why she now teaches it starting from the tripod position. youtu.be/4l1OtXYtBa4

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Ep. 404: Cross-Grip Passing, feat. Rosie Miller & Jeff Shaw

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Your jiu-jitsu gameplan might be the most impactful decision you make going into a match, and it’s even more important when you’re at a major size and strength disadvantage. bjjmentalmodels.substack.com/p/how-gamepl...

bjjmentalmodels.substack.com

🐁 How gameplans change when you're small

Your jiu-jitsu gameplan might be the most impactful decision you make going into a match, and it’s even more important when you’re at a major size and strength disadvantage.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Tap, respawn, and try again. Kids coaching advice from Rochester Jiu Jitsu’s Brennan Strimple.

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

In this mini-episode, we discuss TRADING UP: the strategic importance of getting more than you give in any jiu-jitsu exchange. youtu.be/pAoyAQc3S6I

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Mini Ep. 119: Trading Up

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

BJJ Mental Models Ep. 403 is now live! Brennan Strimple (Rochester Jiu Jitsu) explains why kids don't grapple like adults, and what the rest of us can learn from teaching them. youtu.be/NAnISoftfv4

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Ep. 403: Learning from Kids Class, feat. Brennan Strimple

YouTube video by BJJ Mental Models

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BJJ Mental Models @bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

We’ve all heard the saying that “jiu-jitsu is for everyone.” It’s quippy and it sounds nice, but is it actually true? bjjmentalmodels.substack.com/p/is-jiu-jit...

bjjmentalmodels.substack.com

🥋 Is jiu-jitsu really for everyone?

We’ve all heard the saying that “jiu-jitsu is for everyone.” It’s quippy and it sounds nice, but is it actually true?

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