JJ's unusual name originated when she went to Japan in college to teach aerobics and was mistakenly called "Juri", but later nicknamed herself "Jumbo JJ" due to her height of 6 feet tall. Her last name Virgin is problematic for some branding purposes due to internet filters. She grew up in the Midwest eating popcorn and candy supplied by her mother, developing a sweet tooth, but stayed athletic through high school by teaching dance classes and working catering jobs to pay for college where she studied exercise science.