Conversations with Leann Hernandez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leann Hernandez.

Hi Leann, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a model. I am a fitness lover. I play chess. I am an engineer. I’m a lot of things, and I’m learning that I don’t have to choose just one.
Athletics have been part of my identity for as long as I can remember. I grew up in gymnastics and springboard diving, always drawn to movement and challenge. Fitness became my constant, a safe space where I could disconnect from the noise of life and reconnect with myself. Whether I was learning a new vault or following my usual training routine, fitness grounded me. No matter what I was going through, it was always there.
For years, weightlifting was my main outlet. But eventually, something felt missing. Then I discovered rock climbing and instantly fell in love. Climbing is full of milestones: your first outdoor climb, your first sport route, the adrenaline of deep-water soloing and plunging into the ocean from 7–10 meters in Vietnam. It pushes both physical and mental limits. It requires trust, communication, and responsibility, for yourself and your partner.
Safety in climbing is non-negotiable. Every session starts with checks: a correctly tied figure-eight knot with enough tail, a stopper knot on the other side, locked carabiners, harnesses double-backed. When you’re belaying, your partner’s life is literally in your hands. Sport climbing taught me risk management, analyzing routes, understanding consequences, and choosing courage over fear with every clip. Climbing teaches you to trust your preparation and yourself.
In 2025, I finally listened to the part of me that wanted to see more of the world. I spent two weeks in Thailand, part of the trip with a group and part on my own, a perfect balance of adventure and independence. Stepping off the plane in a foreign country felt terrifying and freeing all at once. Thailand gave me so much: climbing limestone cliffs, learning about Thai culture, meeting incredible people from around the world, and even jump-roping with fire in Koh Phi Phi. Travel showed me that fear doesn’t have to hold me back. If I can navigate new places with confidence, I can take on anything.
This year was also when I let myself explore creativity in a new way: modeling. After taking a posing class out of curiosity, I realized how much I enjoyed expressing strength and emotion through movement. A chance encounter with local models and photographers encouraged me to dive deeper. Since then, I’ve collaborated with designers and creators in my community, constantly learning and building confidence. Modeling has become a powerful outlet, a way to express my identity, my athleticism, and the femininity I once hesitated to show.
I’m still an engineer. I still play chess. I still lift and climb. I’m not giving up any part of myself, I’m expanding. My journey is about embracing every curiosity and proving that you can rewrite your life as many times as you want. You don’t have to fit into one box. You can be everything that makes you feel alive.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. For a long time, I thought I could only be a “fitness girl,” the one who lifts, the athlete, the strong one. And I loved that side of me. But I didn’t really explore other parts of myself. I didn’t think I could be creative, expressive, or try things outside of the gym.

Starting modeling pushed me in new ways. Learning runway walking, for example, was challenging and forced me to step out of my comfort zone. But the hardest part wasn’t the shoots or the walks, it was giving myself permission to expand. To say, “I can be strong and graceful. I can be analytical and creative. I can be an engineer and a model.”

Climbing, travel, modeling, they’ve all pushed me in different ways. Every time I’ve said yes to something new, I’ve learned that I’m capable of so much more than the version of myself I thought I had to stick to.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But the challenges are exactly what helped me grow into all the things I am today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a model, and my work spans editorial, fashion, and fitness, anything that allows me to explore creativity and expression. I love working with photographers, designers, and brands to bring concepts to life, and I also enjoy collaborating on my own shoots to create something unique.

I’m proud of embracing different sides of modeling while staying true to myself. My athletic background, from gymnastics to weightlifting to climbing, gives me a strong understanding of movement and body awareness, which I bring to every shoot. That, combined with curiosity and a willingness to try new ideas, is what sets me apart.

Ultimately, what defines my work is versatility and energy. I approach modeling with focus, creativity, and a desire to express confidence and strength, whether through fashion, editorial concepts, or fitness-inspired shoots.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
For me, risk is all about calculation and intention. It’s not about being reckless, it’s about understanding the situation, preparing thoroughly, and trusting your skills and instincts to move forward.

Climbing has been the clearest example of this. Every route requires careful planning, assessment, and focus. From sport climbing to deep-water soloing in Vietnam, I’ve learned to evaluate the risks, take responsibility for my safety and others’, and push myself in a controlled way that tests both body and mind.

Traveling solo has been another type of calculated risk. During part of a two-week trip in Thailand, I navigated new places and cultures on my own. It was intimidating at times, but planning ahead and staying aware allowed me to fully embrace the experience and grow from it.

Even in modeling, taking risks is part of the process, trying new concepts, experimenting with poses or creative ideas, or stepping in front of a camera for the first time. It’s about testing boundaries thoughtfully and learning along the way.

For me, calculated risks are how I grow, discover my limits, and transform fear into confidence.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leann_hernandezz
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leann_hernandez.fit

Image Credits
All photos by Carlos Arturo Velarde
IG @Cavelarde