BJJ Mental Models

In this mini-episode, we explain conceptual thinking: its origins in jiu-jitsu, why it matters, and how it balances with learning jiu-jitsu as a series of step-by-step techniques.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro

Resources discussed in this episode:

BJJMM mini-episodes on alignment:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment

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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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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
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This week, we're joined by Corey Guitard! Corey is a black belt under Louis Ho and now runs Main Quest BJJ in Calgary, where six of his students have medaled in the adult divisions at No-Gi Worlds. In this episode, Corey shares what he's learned about going pro without going broke, from his own competition career and from coaching athletes who want to make it. Topics include: learning from outliers without copying them, developing a second skill, what complete commitment looks like, and why prize money rarely pays the bills.

Train with Corey at Main Quest BJJ in Calgary, Alberta:
https://mainquestbjj.com

Follow Corey on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/mainquestbjj

Mental models discussed in this episode:
Prioritize Longevity
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity

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

Zone of Genius
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius

Consistency
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency

Probabilistic Thinking
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/probabilistic-thinking

Table Selection
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/table-selection

⬆️ 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

In this mini-episode, we explain the protégé effect, and why teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

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

This week, we're joined by Priit Mihkelson! Priit is an Estonian black belt and co-owner of Estum Jiu-Jitsu in Tallinn, with 26 years of jiu-jitsu behind him. In this episode, Priit works through what a coach's job is, and why his answer (make people want to come back) has less to do with jiu-jitsu than he expected. Topics include: self-determination theory, the gym as a "third place," coaching lessons from parenting, whether coaching can scale, and finding your own voice as a coach.

Follow Priit on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/priit_mihkelson

Follow Priit on Facebook:
https://facebook.com/priit.mihkelson

Train with Priit at Estum Jiu-Jitsu in Tallinn, Estonia:
https://estumjiujitsu.ee

Mental models discussed in this episode:
Continuum of Motivation
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation

The Third Place
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/third-place

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

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

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

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

⬆️ 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

In this mini-episode, we explain first principles: how we can repeatedly ask "why" to uncover simple and foundation truths so we can better understand jiu-jitsu.

Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/freeintro

Mental models discussed in this episode:
Theory of Alignment
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/theory-of-alignment

⬆️ 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