In this episode, Rob Biernacki confronts a growing trend of competitors refusing to tap and taking serious injuries at low-level tournaments. Rob argues that reckless "tough-guy" behavior, poor finishing mechanics, and bad coaching culture are fueling unnecessary damage for hobbyists. Rob calls for smarter, safer training values, reminding athletes that protecting longevity matters more than risking ligaments for a $5 medal.

Follow Rob on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/islandtopteam

Train with Rob at Island Top Team in Nanaimo, BC, Canada:
https://islandtopteam.com/

Learn from Rob online at BJJ Concepts:
https://bjjconcepts.net/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Defend With Purpose
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/defend-with-purpose/
  
  
• Constant and Variable Tension
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/constant-and-variable-tension/
  
  
• Keep Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Prioritize Longevity
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/prioritize-longevity/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss center of gravity: your body's "tipping point" of balance. Your center of gravity is around 56% of the way up your body (around your pelvis) when standing upright, but moves as your body moves. Understanding your center of gravity is key to preventing it from being used against you. With practice, your center of gravity can even be a weapon.

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


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

This week, we're joined again by Jeff Shaw from Bellingham BJJ! In this episode, Jeff talks about the causes and cures for burnout in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: plateaus, the “blue belt blues,” the unique pressures faced by instructors and gym owners, keeping training sustainable, protecting consistency, staying playful, reframing expectations, and redefining what Jiu-Jitsu should mean for your life over the long term.

Follow Jeff on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bellinghambjj

Train with Jeff at Bellingham BJJ:
https://bellinghambjj.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Reframing
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/reframing/
  
  
• Keep /Your Identity Small
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-your-identity-small/
  
  
• Consistency
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/consistency/
  
  
• Training Handicaps
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/training-handicaps/
  
  
• Stress and Recovery
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/stress-and-recovery/
  
  
• Keep it Playful
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful/
  
  
• Zone of Genius
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius/
  
  
• Raise the Level in the Room
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/raise-the-level-in-the-room/
  
  
• Abundance Mindset
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/abundance-mindset/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss tipping points: the idea that once you have sufficient leverage or momentum, your desired outcome can no longer be denied.

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


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

This week, we're joined by Dr. Jen Case! Jen is a 13x IBJJF masters world champion, BJJ black belt under Renato Tavares, coach at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and PhD in Human Nutrition & Performance. In this episode, Jen covers the risks of Jiu-Jitsu competition and how it can be made safer.

Follow Jen on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drjenjitsu/

Jen's website:
https://drjencase.com/

Train with Jen at Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy in North Carolina:
https://charlotte-bjj.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Normalization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/normalization/
  
  
• Gamification
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification/
  
  
• Open Knowledge
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/open-knowledge/
  
  
• Return on Investment
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss what makes solid frames: relying on bone structure, and minimizing the joints involved. We explain the difference between short-range and long-range frames, and when to use them.

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


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

This week, we're joined by Corey Guitard from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Calgary! In this episode, Corey explains how tape study in Jiu-Jitsu (such as video feedback and instructionals) builds structured, efficient learning.

Follow Corey on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/10thplanetcalgary

Train with Corey at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Calgary:
https://10thplanetcalgary.com/


Mental models discussed in this episode:

• Invariants
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/invariants/
  
  
• Learning Modalities
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/learning-modalities/
  
  
• Compartmentalization
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compartmentalization/
  
  
• Diminishing Returns
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/diminishing-returns/
  
  
• Zone of Genius
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-genius/
  
  
• Investing in Loss
  https://bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss/
  
  
  

Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Music by Enterprize:
https://enterprize.bandcamp.com/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss Priit's 45° Rule, a helpful tip for surviving (and escaping) bad positions. The "rule" tells us: When your legs have been neutralized (ie. guard is passed), get your shoulders at 45 degrees relative to the floor.

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


Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!

If you love the podcast, you'll definitely love our premium membership offerings. The podcast is truly just the tip of the iceberg – the next steps on your journey are joining our community, downloading our strategy courseware, and working with us to optimize your game. We do all this through memberships that come in at a fraction of the cost of a single private.

Sign up here for a free trial:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/


Need more BJJ Mental Models?

Get tips, tricks, and breakthrough insights from our newsletter:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter/

Get nitty-gritty details on our mental models from the full database:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/database/

Follow us on social:
https://facebook.com/bjjmentalmodels/
https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels/

Get Jake O'Driscoll's triple threat ankle lock course, FREE:
https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jake