Ep. 391: Am I Getting Better? feat. Josh McKinney episode artwork

EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 1H 5M

Ep. 391: Am I Getting Better? feat. Josh McKinney

from BJJ Mental Models · host Steve Kwan

This week, we're joined by Josh McKinney! Josh is a black belt, head coach at HeadNod Jiu-Jitsu in Southern Illinois, and the host of the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast. In this episode, Josh shares a framework for self-coaching beyond getting belt promotions, and explains why submission count and belt color are the wrong yardsticks for measuring whether you're getting better. Topics include: false metrics, the over-reliance on your A-game, learning to read old-school black belts, the Henry Akins "how many steps" test, and managing effort as a progress metric.Follow Josh on Instagram:https://instagram.com/thejoshmckinneyListen to the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@isuckatjiujitsuCall the Hot Take Hotline:951-HOT-TAKETrain with Josh at HeadNod in Southern Illinois:https://headnodhq.comMental models discussed in this episode:Self-Competitionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/self-competitionGoodhart's Lawhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/goodharts-lawSystematic Abandonmenthttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/systematic-abandonmentConcepts Over Techniqueshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/concepts-over-techniquesDeliberate Practicehttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/deliberate-practiceResulting Fallacyhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/resultingEconomy of Motionhttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/economy-of-motionMaking Smaller Circleshttps://bjjmentalmodels.com/making-smaller-circlesProcess Over Outcomeshttps://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:https://bjjmentalmodels.comNeed more BJJ Mental Models?Get the legendary BJJMM newsletter:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/newsletterLearn more mental models in our online database:https://bjjmentalmodels.com/databaseFollow us on social:https://instagram.com/bjjmentalmodelshttps://threads.com/@bjjmentalmodelshttps://bjjmentalmodels.bsky.socialhttps://youtube.com/@bjjmentalmodelsMusic by Enterprize:https://enterprize.bandcamp.com

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This week, we're joined by Josh McKinney! Josh is a black belt, head coach at HeadNod Jiu-Jitsu in Southern Illinois, and the host of the I Suck at Jiu-Jitsu podcast. In this episode, Josh shares a framework for self-coaching beyond getting belt promotions, and explains why submission count and belt color are the wrong yardsticks for measuring whether you're getting better. Topics include: false metrics, the over-reliance on your A-game, learning to read old-school black belts, the Henry Akin...

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Ep. 391: Am I Getting Better? feat. Josh McKinney

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