Entrepreneurship is not always born out of a desire for success, but sometimes out of a deep need. This is how John Terranova’s journey began. A young man from Cali whose life changed forever in 2019 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. After his surgery, his priorities turned toward his health. He looked at his body with new eyes and asked himself an essential question: How am I feeding myself?
“I started to study why I got cancer, whether it was my diet or other circumstances, and I realized that food has a huge influence on these kinds of processes.”
That’s how Sano & Go was born, a family business that John started with his mother. From Cali, Colombia, they produce healthy food—snacks, sauces, chorizos, jams, kefir, natural pork fat, and stuffed arepas—all free of preservatives, chemicals, and artificial flavors. More than a business, it is an act of survival and collective love that thrives on the participation of young people and women heads of households.
Healthy food for everyone
John’s goal is twofold: to offer healthy products, but also to show that eating well can be delicious, accessible, and possible for everyone. To achieve this, he buys supplies directly from small local producers, avoiding middlemen and strengthening rural economies. He also shares his knowledge at fairs, events, and on social media, building community and awareness around mindful eating.
Today, as he continues his remission, John has become an ambassador for healthy living. With his studies in nursing and digital marketing, he understands that transforming the way we eat also means changing the narrative: communicating that health begins on the plate, and that eating well is not a luxury, but a way of caring for life.
His story is an example of resilience, hope, and leadership. Despite some mental impairments left by the disease, John has not stopped. He collaborates with other entrepreneurs, develops customized products for companies, and actively participates in building a new perspective on the local urban food system.
Paving the way with Urban Futures
People like John represent the spirit of the Urban Futures program: young people who transform adversity into action, build local networks, promote sustainable food, and pave the way for others, demonstrating that eating well means reconnecting with life. When purpose guides what we cook, everything begins to heal.
