This episode first appeared on The Highest Levels, a BJJ Mental Models Premium show hosted by Emily Kwok and Joe Hannan. The Highest Levels is all about dissecting the tactics and psychology of optimal human performance -- work that Emily and Joe do daily with some of the world's leading performers in finance, science, and professional athletics. In addition to being Joe's Jiu Jitsu coach and colleague in the consulting business, Emily is also Joe's friend and business partner at Princeton...

In this episode, Joe discusses the topic of leadership and shares his experiences as a leader in his jiu jitsu school. He explores the polarities and challenges of leadership, including consensus building vs. representation, athlete vs. shepherd, cultural steward vs. toilet scrubber, and entrepreneur vs. community builder. Joe emphasizes the importance of balancing these polarities and being a conscious leader who is aware of their flaws and committed to personal growth. He also encourages...

This episode of BJJ Meditations explores rank and hierarchy on and off the mats. Hierarchy is an unavoidable aspect of human society, including in the context of Jiu Jitsu schools, where it is a reflection of competence and serves as a proxy for skill level.  Hierarchy is relative and not all black belts, brown belts, purple belts, etc. are the same. Anyone who trains seriously knows this well. Regardless, we can can observe false translations of competence throughout life. In other words,...

In this episode, Joe discusses the concepts of certainty and uncertainty in the contexts of jiu jitsu and life. He explores the idea that certainty can be boring and that the pursuit of certainty often leads to fear, anxiety, and doubt. He also touches on the role of coaches and the value of asking the right questions. The host draws inspiration from a book called The Captain Class and shares insights from the show Bluey. Joe concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace the mystery and...

In this episode, Joe reflects on his current state of mind and training in between competitions. He discusses his tendency to not drive things to completion in his jiu jitsu game and his efforts to improve in this area. He also explores his aversion to finishing things and the emotional import of feeling stupid and f*****g up. Joe shares his experiences of training without an edge and investing in loss, as well as his mindfulness practices and their impact on his HRV -- and how these...

Reflections from my experiences at the New York Open and the lessons learned from competing, including the importance of finding your own approach to competition and the value of looking stupid. Other areas of exploration include: The journey of psychological preparation The challenges of anxiety and stress Methods for balancing intensity and relaxation for improved performance in performance and the need for balance The importance of self-reflection and growth in the competitive journey  ...

Josh Lu of 1-800-BJJ-HELP is back. This time, we're going deep on all things mindfulness and meditation. Josh is a white belt based in San Diego, CA. He's been meditating for 12 years and has spent a total of 45 days (spread out over the years) on silent retreat. He's currently pursuing a mindfulness meditation teacher certification. In this conversation, we discuss the psychological challenges of competing in Jiu Jitsu and the importance of authenticity in finding one's own style. We...

BJJ Meditations sits at the intersection of Jiu Jitsu and the examined life. Part of living an examined life is tending to health and well-being. Skin health presents one of the most complex and pressing challenges in the life of a grappler. What are the best practices and protocols we can use to protect ourselves and our training partner? Dr. Clayton Green is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He's...

Jiu Jitsu is a thematic exploration of structure (and structurelessness, of course). We dynamically organize our bodies to accomplish certain goals that lead us toward our ultimate objective within the game. Playing in this space of structure-no structure demands a certain amount of discipline. The same skills with which we navigate this structure-no structure continuum on the mat also serve us well off the mat. So, how do we cultivate discipline to accomplish this task? True discipline...

Jiu Jitsu attracts people who live at the dynamic edge of experience. I think it's because the art strips away all affectation and leaves behind people in their most potent form. This is yet another example of how Jiu Jitsu is a revelation. It shows us something about ourselves. But what we do with that something is up to us. We can use it to be about the work of being a real motherf*cker, or we can run from the shadows. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this...

BJJ is a door to an examined life. It reveals who we are, stripping away our personas and posturing. It's up to us to decide what we do with what's revealed. We can avoid it, or we can use it to build new levels of self-awareness and fuel growth. Either way, we have choice: Choose to do the work of being, or walk away. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Work with me: https://www.bjjmeditations.com/schedule-a-coaching-session Train...

This episode is a collaboration with Josh Lu and Jake Luigi, the duo behind the fantastic 1-800 -BJJ-Help podcast. You also may recognize Jake from Less Impressed More Involved BJJ.  It was a real pleasure to sit down and talk with both of these guys, and I'm hoping it's the beginning of many more conversations! As always, some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations ...

I've said that Jiu Jitsu is a vehicle for self-improvement. But now, I'm not so sure. I can see that people who train Jiu Jitsu have qualitatively better experiences because of the art. But are they themselves improving? Or are they simply becoming who they really are? This is an important distinction. Here's why. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu...

Rascals make no buts about who they are. They may be bastards, but they're bastards living examined lives. They see the light as well as the shadow. How does BJJ bring our inner rascal to the surface? And what can we learn from this crafty creature? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm back from the Miami Open and covering how it went and, more importantly, what I learned. Contained here is a framework that you can use to goal-set for competitions of your own. Or, better yet, use it to create a framework of your own! Ultimately, much of what happens on the competition mats it is outside of our control. But, how we relate to and learn from the experience, is something within our control. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ...

What are we fighting against that's fighting right back? What are we trying to silence that only gets louder with the effort? Jiu Jitsu teaches us to work with whatever life, or our opponents, throw at us. But the practical application does little to change the thoughts and feelings that arise during the struggle. What, then, do we do? Perhaps we learn and practice the art of letting go. Artwork by Elizabeth Bass. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's...

At one point in our lives, we all sang. And then we stopped. Why? Did someone make you feel self-conscious? Criticize you? Humiliate you? Singing is a basic and ancient form of expression. So is dance. BJJ is certainly dance-like. But where is our voice when we need it? And what might the discomfort of singing teach us? Just like the discomfort of Jiu Jitsu teaches us. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes...

Can we study Jiu Jitsu? Or is it a way of life, or a way of being -- perhaps only experienced in its totality via full participation? And is there any distinction between the martial path and the path of everyday life? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Something is amiss. For the first time in my life, I have no idea what a new year will bring. Perhaps you feel the same. I know this: Meeting this year with poise requires newfound levels of presence. Good thing Jiu Jitsu can help. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

We are here because we have chosen the path of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We pursue it often with a singularity of focus. With such a narrow field of view, what are we missing inside and outside of the game? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations Artwork by Elizabeth Bass: https://www.instagram.com/lizkalearns/ #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm 37. BJJ looks a lot different now than it did in my 20s. And staying in the game requires a bit more effort. These are my BJJ longevity protocols. Some may work for you, others won't. Use them to form the basis of your own. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations  #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

I'm back from a work excursion to Central America. The trip included time on the mats, time in the water, and time in deep conversation. The jungle and the ocean have a way of seeping under your skin and coloring your thoughts. And the sheer biodiversity of the jungle has a way of radiating your being with life force. All require some processing. Join me as I talk through it. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show...

It's been quiet around here lately. Some of that is seasonal. It's a good time of year for silence and reflection. In other ways, it's a time for decisions and transitions. BJJ prepares us well for both. Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations #bjj #jiujitsu #stoic #stoicism

Collin Wiemer is one of the most hard-working students of the art that I know. He's also a dear friend, coach, and source of no b******t BJJ chud wisdom. 😉 Collin offered a profound insight at World Master -- one that's definitely worth sharing. How might we reframe the narratives we tell ourselves relative to winning and losing? Some weird thoughts and reflections on all of these things in this week's BJJ Meditations. Find all links and show notes here: https://linkin.bio/bjj_meditations ...