In this week's mini-episode we discuss blood choke mechanics! This is the concept behind all chokes we'd classify as "carotid restraints," where compression on the carotid arteries cuts off blood flow to the brain. We'll discuss the simple "triangle around the head" concept that helps tighten all blood chokes including rear naked chokes, collar cho…

On the latest episode of the podcast, Daniel did a deep dive into a unique indie TRPG from Japan called Floria: The Verdant Way. In this game, you play as a wizards empowered by symbiotic magical plants and use geometry to cast spells! Purchase the official English translation of Floria on DriveThruRPG Original Kickstarter campaign for the English …

This week we're joined by Mandy Schneider! Mandy is a BJJ Mental Models sponsored athlete competing at purple belt out of SOUL FIGHTERS Martial Arts in Allen, Texas. Mandy just underwent surgery for chronic bursitis in her elbow, and in this week's episode, Mandy shares her experience working around injury in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include the challenge…

In this week's mini-episode we discuss dominant angles! The concept of dominant angles is more complicated than "being behind or beside your opponent." It's more about positioning your body relative to theirs such that their arms, legs, and other weapons can't come into play. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: https://bjjm…

This week we're joined again by David Figueroa-Martinez! David is a black belt, instructor, and writer training out of Gracie La Mesa in California. In this episode, David discusses one of the most difficult — but sometimes essential — decisions that many grapplers will face during their journey: the decision to leave their gym. Follow David on soc…

Daniel and Drew celebrated the Tian Xia World Guide winning a gold ENnie Award for best setting at Gen Con 2024, Olympic breakdancing, the 2024 D&D rules revision, and anime TTRPGs on the latest episode of No Dice, No Problem! Learn more about Wandering Blades: danielhkwan.itch.io/wanderingblades Watch exclusive NDNP video podcasts at patreon.com/a…

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss countergripping! There are three ways to counter a grip: breaking the grip (stripping their fingers), inverting the grip (pummeling to make the grip our own), or changing the angle (which can render the grip useless). In general, breaking the grip is the least efficient option, changing the angle is the most …

This week we're joined by Tom "TP" Grant! Tom Grant, also known by the writer's handle TP Grant, is a BJJ black belt under Issac Riggs and an MMA/BJJ writer best known for his work at Bloody Elbow and Bleacher Report. In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of adapting on the fly. Techniques are rarely executed exactly as taught; they're usua…

On this episode, we'll learn about jubensha, the tabletop gaming experience taking Asia by storm! Why are they so approachable for new players? How do creators from different countries approach producing and playing these games? Agatha interviews Mr. Ri from the Two Words studio and delve into the mysterious and wonderful world of jubensha games! T…

In this week's mini-episode, we discuss one of Steve's favorite mental models: grips dictate position! As the name implies, whoever wins the grip fight in Jiu-Jitsu often dictates the position. Focus on winning the grip fight before attempting to advance position or secure a submission. Get our Intro to Mechanics audio course, normally $79, FREE: h…

This week we're joined by Sebastian Brosche! Sebastian is a BJJ black belt, the founder of the legendary platform Yoga for BJJ, and also the founder of his new project, Teach Grappling. In this episode, we discuss knowledge organization, effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, standardization, instructor education, and the future of …

Daniel and Drew discussed dark fantasy "dead man walking" tornados, becoming Pokémon gym leaders, and more on the latest NDNP! Learn more about Wandering Blades: danielhkwan.itch.io/wanderingblades Watch exclusive NDNP video podcasts at patreon.com/aznsrepresent //SPONSOR Head to diceenvy.com/aznsrepresent and use code AZNSREPRESENT to get 10% off!…

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing the anatomic hierarchy! The anatomic hierarchy is a simple but powerful mental model that organizes our body into six major tools, from strongest to weakest: our torso, our two legs, our two arms, and our head. The anatomic hierarchy teaches us that when attacking, we should use as many of our weapons a…

This week we're joined by Kiaya Jackson! Kiaya is the founder of SoPro Collective and a Jiu-Jitsu competitor representing Brandon Mccaghren from 10th Planet Decatur. In this episode, Kiaya explains her unconventional journey into a Jiu-Jitsu career, and shares her playbook for making a living in the sport beyond the usual athlete and coach career p…

Tabletop game designers Banana Chan and Sen-Foong Lim joined Daniel for a conversation about the revised edition of their indie hit, Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall! They talked about the games themes of food, family, intergenerational knowledge, racism, and the immigrant experience. Check out the crowdfunding campaign for Jiangshi here: https:…

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing posts, the last of the six core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu! Posts occur when you use an extremity of your body to connect with and base off a platform like the floor. Posts are important for maintaining your own base and creating opportunities to attack your opponent. This is the sixth in a six-part series …

This week we're joined by Charles Harriott! Charles is a BJJ black belt, professional seminar instructor, and content creator. In this episode, Charles introduces a mental model he calls "the 3-fold view of Jiu-Jitsu." We discuss the three lenses through which Charles views Jiu-Jitsu and how these different perspectives work together to help him be…

Daniel and Jeremy reviewed the Goblin Slayer TRPG based on the Goblin Slayer light novels written by Kumo Kagyu and illustrated by Noboru Kannatsuki! This game was published in 2019, and was designed by Tadaaki Kawahito with Group SNE, a Japanese company most famous in the gaming world for Record of Lodoss War and Sword World RPG. Learn more about …

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing hooks, the main mechanic behind techniques like butterfly guard. Hooks are a tracking mechanic used to follow your opponent and create opportunities to off-balance them. This is the fifth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps…

This week we're joined by Jesse Walker! Jesse is a black belt under Chris Haueter and is the head coach at Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky. In this episode, Jesse introduces the paradox of control: a concept teaching us that in order to attack in Jiu-Jitsu, you must sometimes sacrifice control for movement. Follow Jesse and Rough Hands BJJ …

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing clamps, the mechanic where you use your limbs to create a closed circuit around your opponent's body. Think closed guard or seatbelt. This is the fourth in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jitsu: frames, levers, wedges, clamps, hooks, and posts. Further study: …

This week we're joined by Ben Van Doren! Ben is a Lucas Lepri black belt and the head instructor at Deep Blue Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Caledonia, Michigan. In this episode, Ben draws on his experience as a manager and BJJ gym owner to discuss difficult coaching conversations. This conversation is a great playbook for Jiu-Jisu leaders of all sorts, an…

Daniel and Drew explored the world of lavish Chinese wedding banquets, Elden Ring DLC, and unique TTRPG mechanics! Learn more about Wandering Blades: danielhkwan.itch.io/wanderingblades //SUPPORT Help us produce new and exclusive content! Join us on Patreon for ad-free audio and exclusive series! patreon.com/aznsrepresent //SPONSOR Head to diceenvy…

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing wedges, and we don't mean pizza! We break down the two types of wedges in Jiu-Jitsu: blocking wedges (used for immobilizing your opponent) and prying wedges (used for breaking open your opponent's defenses). This is the third in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu…

This week we're joined by Jeff Serafin! Jeff is the head instructor at Serafin BJJ, a partner at Gym 1801, and a black belt under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias. In this episode, Jeff advocates for fostering a healthy gym culture and reducing dogma in Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include: identifying and avoiding toxic gym cultures, ego management in training…

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing levers! Levers are force multipliers and the source of leverage in Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, we talk about the levers of the human body, turning frames into levers, and when levers are less important. This is the second in a six-part series of mini-episodes we're doing on the core mechanics of Jiu-Jit…

This week we're joined again by Lyzz "Daemonette" Mitrovic! Lyzz is a multi-time black belt masters world champion and a longtime member of the BJJ Mental Models Premium community. Lyzz will be competing at ADCC this year after earning her entry via victory at ADCC West Coast Trials. In this episode, Lyzz shares what high-level competition camps lo…

On the latest episode of NDNP, Daniel and Drew got an update on Jeremy's experience at UK Games Expo, discussed the challenges of emergent storytelling in TTRPGs, and Drew's familial connections to the Second World War. Learn more about Jeremy's new game, Mappa Mundi: https://www.threesailsstudios.com/mappamundirpg Learn more about Ben Robbins' Wes…

In this week's mini-episode, we're discussing frames! You probably know what a frame is, but I'm guessing you haven't walked through the concept as in-depth as we'll do here today! Let's talk about how we define a "frame," when we want to use frames, what makes frames useful, and when frames become a liability. This is the first in a six-part serie…