Meet LeAndra Vasquez-Johnson | Co-Founder | Move Your Sole

We had the good fortune of connecting with LeAndra Vasquez-Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LeAndra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The idea behind MOVE YOUR SOLE was born out of lived experience and a series of wake-up calls for our family. I was first diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure before the age of 30, which forced me to take my health seriously. Not long after, my husband experienced a major health scare and was diagnosed with myocarditis, a rare heart condition that required ongoing medication and lifestyle changes. Those moments shifted our perspective completely.

With three children ages 7, 9, and 10, we knew prioritizing our health wasn’t optional—it was necessary. We wanted to live long, active lives and model healthy habits for our kids. As we began working out and running together, movement became something we shared, not just something we endured.

The vision for MOVE YOUR SOLE truly came to fruition in an unexpected moment. I jokingly told my husband that we should run eight miles to celebrate our wedding anniversary. What started as a random thought turned into a real goal—and we actually did it. That experience was a turning point for us. In that moment, we realized if we could push past doubt, health challenges, and fear together, we could keep going—and bring others with us.

From there, it became clear that this wasn’t just about us. We wanted to create something that started with our family but extended to families everywhere. MOVE YOUR SOLE was created to encourage movement, connection, and intentional living. Our first family 5K in October, which brought together relatives from across South Georgia along Highway 84, confirmed our purpose: when movement starts at home, it has the power to bring an entire community together.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
MOVE YOUR SOLE is more than a run club—it’s a family-centered movement rooted in real life, real challenges, and intentional health. What sets us apart is that we don’t start with performance; we start with people. Our brand was built from lived experience—navigating chronic illness, recovering from a serious heart condition, raising three children, and choosing health even when it felt inconvenient or uncomfortable.

Professionally, this journey wasn’t planned or easy. It grew out of necessity. After being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure at a young age, and later supporting my husband through myocarditis, we had to relearn what health looked like for our family. There were moments of fear, frustration, and doubt—especially while balancing careers, parenting, and lifestyle changes. But instead of letting those challenges stop us, we used them as fuel.

We started small—working out together, running together, and holding each other accountable. What began as a joke about running eight miles for our wedding anniversary turned into a defining moment when we actually completed it. That run reminded us that consistency and community matter more than perfection. From there, MOVE YOUR SOLE was created to invite others into that same mindset.

One of our proudest moments was hosting our first family 5K, bringing together multiple generations from across South Georgia. Seeing children, parents, and extended family moving together affirmed our purpose. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that sustainable health starts at home and grows through connection. You don’t need to look a certain way or run at a certain pace—you just need to start.

What we want the world to know is this: MOVE YOUR SOLE is for real people with real lives. Our story is proof that healing, growth, and transformation are possible when you move with intention and don’t do it alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d start with a run around the Valdosta State campus, enjoying the beautiful scenery, grab the best protein shakes and mega teas in town at Talk of the Town Nutrition Club, and spend the evening at Big Nick’s, enjoying BBQ, live music, and the energy that makes South Georgia so alive—there’s nothing like the food, the people, and the culture here to make you feel at home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, we want to dedicate this shoutout to our family—especially our children. They are our daily motivation and the reason we chose to take our health and lifestyle seriously. Watching them run alongside us, cheer us on, and participate in this journey has been a constant reminder of why MOVE YOUR SOLE matters.

We also want to recognize our extended family and community who showed up, supported us, and believed in the vision before it fully took shape. From family members who traveled across South Georgia along Highway 84 to participate in our first family 5K, to friends who encouraged us when this was just an idea, their presence affirmed that this movement was bigger than us.

Lastly, we want to shout out everyone who chooses to start—especially those navigating health challenges, busy schedules, or self-doubt. MOVE YOUR SOLE exists because of people who are willing to take that first step, no matter how small. This journey has reminded us that progress happens through community, encouragement, and consistency, and we’re grateful for every person who has been part of our story so far.

Image Credits
Founders of MOVE YOUR SOLE- Nicholas Johnson & LeAndra Vasquez-Johnson