Get to Know Gabriela Verdugo-Johnson

Many may know Gabriela Verdugo-Johnson as a successful real estate agent. Others might know her as an active part of Hispanic Networking Group of the Ozarks. Still more might know her as the owner of The Chicas Club, a new all-women’s gym. Verdugo-Johnson is all of those things, and more. Born and raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, she saw it become the most dangerous city in the world. She opted to come to the U.S. due to her parents, who didn’t want her growing up in that environment. “I always had big dreams and goals, but sadly, Ciudad Juárez wasn’t the place for me to achieve them due to how unsafe it had become,” Verdugo-Johnson says.

After applying to “every college I could think of,” she received multiple offers, both as a swimmer and a student. Of the two schools that offered her mid-cycle enrollment, Verdugo-Johnson chose Ashland, Ohio, arriving in the middle of winter. “Going from the desert to freezing Ohio wasn’t easy, but I’ve always adapted quickly. The hardest part was that almost no one spoke Spanish, but that’s why I learned English in just one semester; I had no other choice,” she says.

Although Verdugo-Johnson says she’s not always motivated, she has always been disciplined: college athletics demanded it. She also credits her parents for her success. “My mom is the definition of a confident woman,” she says.

Verdugo-Johnson is the president of Hispanic Networking Group of the Ozarks. “I’m a Latina woman,” Verdugo-Johnson says. “Although some people may think that can be a barrier, I see it as my superpower. I want to prove I can do big things so that other Latina women feel like they can too.” The Chicas Club, Verdugo-Johnson’s all-women’s gym, came about organically when her co-owner, Jenni, experienced firsthand how much healthy choices can improve quality of life.

“I couldn’t pass on the opportunity,” Verdugo-Johnson says. “An all-women’s gym aligned perfectly with my values. When I see something good, I move forward.” Those early disciplined days as an athlete serve her well with her current schedule. Early mornings are for healthy breakfast, emails and workouts, while the middle of the day is devoted to real estate. Late afternoons and early evenings are focused on The Chicas Club, and Wednesdays and Sundays are devoted to the Hispanic Networking Group of the Ozarks. Verdugo-Johnson is careful to be home at the same time each day for quality time with her husband and their dogs.