Today we’d like to introduce you to LaShonda Johnson.
Hi LaShonda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is LaShonda Johnson, and I am a passionate wellness entrepreneur, Registered Nurse, and the founder of Sacred Core Pilates. I help individuals reconnect with their strength through mindful, intentional movement.
My journey began in 2020 while working as a travel RN during one of the most difficult times our nation has faced. In the middle of long shifts, stress, and emotional exhaustion, I completely lost myself—mentally, physically, and emotionally. My days became a cycle of working, eating, and sleeping, with no movement and no time for myself. Over time, my weight reached an all-time high of 245 pounds, and I no longer recognized the woman I saw in the mirror.
As a Cardiac ICU Nurse, I began to feel like a hypocrite. I was educating my patients on the importance of living a healthier lifestyle, yet I wasn’t living by those same standards. I struggled with the idea of trust—how could my patients truly receive what I was teaching if I wasn’t embodying it myself? That realization became my turning point. That was the moment I decided to take my life back.
In 2023, I found Pilates, and it changed everything for me. Pilates helped me rebuild my strength, confidence, and connection to my body. It wasn’t just physical—it was healing. Through Pilates, I found myself again. I fell in love with the practice and knew, deep in my spirit, that one day I would create a space where others could experience that same transformation. That vision became Sacred Core Pilates.
Fast forward to 2025, I am now both a Certified Pilates Instructor and Registered Nurse. I earned my Pilates certification through ISSA and remain committed to continuing my education in health and fitness so I can better support others on their own life-changing journeys.
Sacred Core Pilates is more than a studio—it’s a space for growth, healing, and empowerment. My mission is to help individuals of all fitness levels strengthen their bodies, reconnect with themselves, and move with intention, knowing that transformation is possible at any stage of life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Sacred Core Pilates has been one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys of my life.
While people often see the finished product, what they don’t see are the long nights, early mornings, and moments of doubt that came with creating this space. I was still working as a Registered Nurse, balancing demanding shifts, emotional exhaustion, and real-life responsibilities, all while trying to build a business from the ground up. There were days when I questioned if I was doing too much or if I was strong enough to carry both callings at the same time.
Finding balance between work, life, and purpose was not easy. I poured so much of myself into caring for others that I often had very little left for myself. Building Sacred Core Pilates required sacrifice, missed rest, financial risk, and pushing forward even when things felt uncertain. There were moments when I felt stretched thin, overwhelmed, and unsure if the vision would fully come together.
What kept me going was the “why.” I knew Sacred Core Pilates was bigger than me. It was born from my own healing journey and my desire to create a space where people could move, breathe, and feel supported physically, mentally, and emotionally. Even on the hardest days, I reminded myself that balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention. Some days nursing required more of me, and other days the studio did, but I learned to give myself grace through it all.
Through this process, I learned that entrepreneurship doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means showing up scared, tired, and uncertain but still showing up. I learned to listen to my body, protect my peace, and redefine what success truly means for me.
Sacred Core Pilates is not just a business it is a reflection of resilience, faith, and commitment to self-growth. Every class, every client, and every milestone reminds me that the struggle was worth it. I am still learning how to balance it all, but I now understand that true strength comes from honoring both the grind and the need to rest.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a CVICU Registered Nurse, I have spent years caring for patients at their most vulnerable, managing life-threatening cardiac conditions, monitoring critical vitals, and making decisions where precision and awareness matter. That experience has deeply shaped the way I approach movement, fitness, and overall wellness.
In the CVICU, I learned that the body is not something to push blindly, it’s something to listen to. Every breath, every heartbeat, every response tells a story. I carry that same mindset into my work as a Pilates instructor. I don’t believe in quick fixes or extreme workouts. I believe in intentional, safe, and sustainable movement that supports the body rather than breaks it down.
What sets me apart in the fitness industry is my ability to bridge clinical knowledge with mindful movement. I understand anatomy, cardiovascular health, injury prevention, and the importance of proper breathing and core engagement especially for individuals who may feel intimidated by fitness, are recovering from illness, managing stress, or simply starting over. I meet people where they are, because I know firsthand that every body carries a different story.
My nursing background also allows me to recognize limitations and warning signs that others may overlook. I am deeply attentive to form, alignment, and breath, ensuring that movement is both effective and safe. My goal is not to push clients past their limits, but to help them build strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies again.
Sacred Core Pilates was built on the belief that fitness should be empowering, not intimidating. As a CVICU nurse, I bring compassion, education, and intention into every class. I don’t just coach movement, I support healing, longevity, and overall well-being.
This is more than fitness for me. It’s purpose-driven work rooted in care, science, and lived experience.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Creating Sacred Core Pilates required me to take one of the biggest risks of my life.
I self-funded this vision. There were no investors, no safety net, just belief, discipline, and the willingness to bet on myself. Every decision carried weight, because I wasn’t just building a business; I was protecting my livelihood, my peace, and my future. I had to be intentional with every dollar, every hour, and every ounce of energy I poured into this space.
What made it even more challenging was that life didn’t pause while I built Sacred Core Pilates. I still had to show up as a Registered Nurse, maintain my personal relationships, and take care of myself, mentally, physically, and emotionally. There were moments when the pressure felt heavy, when I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, and when balancing entrepreneurship with real life felt overwhelming.
Risk-taking, for me, wasn’t reckless it was calculated. I chose to move forward even when fear was present. I learned how to budget wisely, say no when necessary, and set boundaries to protect both my business and my personal life. Some days required sacrifice; other days required rest. I had to learn that both were equally important.
Self-funding taught me resilience, accountability, and trust in my vision. It forced me to grow in ways I never expected not just as an entrepreneur, but as a woman. I learned that pursuing purpose doesn’t mean neglecting life outside of it. True success is being able to build something meaningful while still honoring who you are beyond the grind.
Sacred Core Pilates is the result of faith, risk, and consistency. It’s proof that when you believe in your vision and are willing to do the work—while still choosing yourself you can create something lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: Sacredcorepilates.my.canva.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_corepilates?igsh=amZoamR3eXFld3hk&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bhuku3SAb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
