B.J. Penn, a renowned martial artist, was born to Jay Dee Penn, an Irish American, and Loraine Shin, a third-generation Korean-American. At the tender age of seventeen, Penn embarked on a transformative journey, introducing himself to the realm of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, courtesy of his neighbor, Tom Callos. Callos, in his quest to find like-minded individuals to train with, had posted fliers in local gyms, which caught the attention of Jay Dee Penn, B.J.'s father. He subsequently called Callos, expressing his sons' interest in the discipline. Callos then shared his knowledge with B.J. and his brother, laying the foundation for their future growth in the art.
As a result of this fortuitous encounter, B.J. relocated to San Jose, California, where he began training at the world-renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) under the guidance of Dave Camarillo and Bob Cooke. During his time in San Jose, Penn developed a deep bond with his roommates and training partners, Camarillo and Cooke. It was amidst this stimulating environment that he made the pivotal decision to pursue a career in martial arts, a path that would ultimately lead him to achieve unparalleled success in the world of mixed martial arts.
