About this episode
In this episode of BJJ Mental Models, Steve Kwan welcomes back Sonia Sillan from Combat Arts Academy to explore the concept of the “awkward turtles:” the introverted, unsure, or atypical students who often feel like outsiders in Jiu-Jitsu. Sonya unpacks how gym culture, coaching priorities, and interpersonal communication affect whether these students feel welcome or alienated. Together, they discuss how creating an inclusive, empathetic training environment isn’t just good for business; it’s essential for building resilient practitioners and a healthy mat culture. This conversation offers a roadmap for coaches and students alike to rethink how they engage with the most vulnerable members of their gym. Follow Sonia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniasillan Train with Sonia at Combat Arts Academy in Seattle: https://caaseattle.com/ Mental models discussed in this episode: Jita Kyoei https://bjjmentalmodels.com/jita-kyoei/ Compatible Intent https://bjjmentalmodels.com/compatible-intent/ Controlled Breathing https://bjjmentalmodels.com/controlled-breathing/ Staying Loose https://bjjmentalmodels.com/staying-loose/ Escalation of Commitment https://bjjmentalmodels.com/escalation-of-commitment/ The Golden Rule https://bjjmentalmodels.com/golden-rule/ 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/ ⚠️ NEW course from BJJ Mental Models! MINDSET FOR BETAS, our new Jiu-Jitsu audio course with Rob Biernacki, is now available on BJJ Mental Models Premium! For a limited time, get your first month FREE at: https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beta