BJJ Mental Models· Folge 409
Ep. 409: Super Mario Theory, feat. Nelson Puentes
Montag, 21. September 2026 · 1 h 01
Kapitelklicken springt direkt hin
Shownotes
This week, we're joined by Nelson Puentes! Nelson co-founded Inverted Gear and runs Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Nelson explains his Super Mario theory of jiu-jitsu: a good game teaches you how to play it by raising the difficulty one step at a time, and a good jiu-jitsu class works the same way. Topics include: game design, resource management, coaching without instructions, defensive jiu-jitsu, and intrinsic motivation.
Buy Inverted Gear apparel:
invertedgear.com
Train at Inverted Gear Academy in Allentown, PA:
invertedgearacademy.com
Follow Nelson on Instagram:
instagram.com/invertedgearnelson
Mental models discussed in this episode:
• Zone of Proximal Development
bjjmentalmodels.com/zone-of-proximal-development
• Investing in Loss
bjjmentalmodels.com/investing-in-loss
• Constraints-Led Approach
bjjmentalmodels.com/constraints-led-approach
• Self-Organization
bjjmentalmodels.com/self-organization
• Gamification
bjjmentalmodels.com/gamification
• Ecological Dynamics
bjjmentalmodels.com/ecological-dynamics
• Return on Investment
bjjmentalmodels.com/return-on-investment
• Win Conditions
bjjmentalmodels.com/win-conditions
• Defense Paradox
bjjmentalmodels.com/defense-paradox
• Keep It Playful
bjjmentalmodels.com/keep-it-playful
• Perception-Action Coupling
bjjmentalmodels.com/perception-action-coupling
• Continuum of Motivation
bjjmentalmodels.com/continuum-of-motivation
• Process Over Outcomes
bjjmentalmodels.com/process-over-outcomes
⬆️ 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:
bjjmentalmodels.com
Need more BJJ Mental Models?
Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:
bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletter
Learn more mental models in our online database:
bjjmentalmodels.com/database
Follow us on social:
instagram.com/bjjmentalmodels
threads.com/@bjjmentalmodels
bjjmentalmodels.bsky.social
youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodels
Music by Enterprize:
enterprize.bandcamp.com