Lance Penney

Lance’s journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu didn’t follow the usual path, it started with an injury.

While living in Vancouver, a rugby injury sidelined him from running and pushed him to find a new outlet. At a friend’s urging, he stepped onto the mats for the first time, making it clear to the instructor that running wasn’t an option. The response? “We don’t run here.” That was all it took.

He began training under Tom Montes, building a strong foundation before earning his blue belt under John Kefallonitis. After relocating to Newfoundland, Lance joined Nova União affiliated club,  Republic BJJ, continuing to develop his game under Paul Woodruff.

Since then, he has competed at both local and international levels, and has travelled throughout South America and Europe to further his training. As of September 2025, Lance has taken the reins at Republic BJJ, leading the program with a focus on growth, discipline, and a strong team culture.