Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Johnston.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Georgia and moved to Knoxville in 2019 to study Business Analytics at the University of Tennessee. After the pandemic hit in 2020, I dropped to part-time classes so I could work full-time. Being less immersed in campus life made it harder to feel like I had a real community here — and I know I’m not the only one who’s felt that way.
Still, I found comfort in Knoxville’s outdoor spaces. I spent my free time running the greenways, biking, hiking, and just getting outside whenever I could. That’s really what led me to start Knoxville Movement Collective (KMC). I wanted to create something that made it easier for people to meet, move, and connect.
KMC is Knoxville’s Outdoor Social Club — a free community where people come together for group runs, hikes, bike rides, paddles, and other ways to enjoy being active.
What started as a small run club has grown into something much bigger — a welcoming space where moving outside feels fun, and making friends just happens naturally. I’m proud that I get to bring a sense of community back into my own life and hopefully help others find that too.
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?
Getting started was definitely the hardest part. I had this idea for Knoxville Movement Collective, but turning it into a real, sustainable community meant setting up the business, funding it out of pocket, and investing in marketing so it could grow long-term.
KMC is entirely self-funded, and I’ve been really lucky to have the help of an amazing executive leadership team and head coaches — all of whom volunteer their time because they believe in what KMC stands for. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to stay true to our mission and long-term goals while operating with limited resources. But having a team that truly believes in the vision has made it possible to turn this idea into something that just keeps growing every week!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Knoxville Movement Collective is Knoxville’s Outdoor Social Club. We’re a free community built to bring people together through movement and the outdoors. From group runs and bike rides to hikes, paddles, and laid-back social events, we make it easy to get outside, stay active, and meet new people.
What makes KMC different is how much we care about connection. We’re not just a run club or a hiking group — we’re a social community where every pace, experience level, and background is welcome. Our volunteer leaders and head coaches bring so much energy and heart to every event, making it feel fun and approachable whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.
We’re also proud to partner with Keep Knoxville Beautiful as our official charity partner. Giving back is a core part of what we do — 25% of any profits KMC makes each year goes directly to KKB to support their mission of keeping Knoxville clean, green, and beautiful. This partnership lets us connect movement with impact in a way that really matters.
I’m most proud of how quickly KMC has grown into a space where people can just show up as they are, move outside, and feel like they’re part of something bigger.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I really enjoy The Mel Robbins Podcast — it’s motivating and practical. I use Strava to track my runs and rides, and Canva Pro helps me create content for KMC. I also spend time on TikTok and Instagram looking for fresh ideas and inspiration.
Music is always on in the background no matter what I’m doing — it helps me stay focused and sets the tone for whatever the day brings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.knoxvillemovement.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoxvillemovement
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjohnstontn
