BJJ Mental Models
BJJ Mental Models
Steve Kwan
Ep. 388: Injury and the Stockdale Paradox, feat. Alex Sterner
1 hour Posted Apr 27, 2026 at 7:00 am.
0:00
1:00:00
Download MP3
Show notes
This week, we're joined by Alex Sterner! Alex is a black belt and the owner of Electrum Performance in San Diego, where he coaches strength and conditioning for jiu-jitsu and combat sports athletes. In this episode, Alex breaks down the psychology of injury rehab and the Stockdale Paradox: the marriage of optimism about recovery with brutal acceptance of where you actually are right now. Topics include: pain as a feature, the staircase model of rehab, healing it like you hurt it, short term v...