Shawn Johnson Biography
Shawn Johnson East is a celebrated American gymnast, author, and media personality, who is set to feature on the Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 4. She retired from competitive gymnastics in 2012 after having a successful career as an artistic gymnast.
How old is Shawn Johnson?
Johnson is 33 years old as of 2025; she was born on January 19, 1992, in Des Moines, Iowa. She celebrates her birthday on January 19 every year.
Quick bio/wiki
| Real Name | Shawn Machel Johnson East |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Occupation | Television Personality and Content Creator (owns a YouTube channel known as “The East Fam Talks”) |
| Known For | Gold medalist on balance beam at the 2008 Beijing Olympics; silver medals in team, all-around, and floor exercise. Winner of Season 8 (2009) and runner-up in the All-Star edition (2012) |
Shawn Johnson Height
Johnson has an approximate height of 5 feet and 6 inches, equal to 167.64 cm.
Shawn Johnson’s Early Life
Johnson was born on January 19, 1992, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Doug and Teri Johnson. Despite some rumors about his father’s health, Doug Johnson is still alive. Her parents enrolled her in a gymnastics class at age 3, after recognizing her energetic nature of climbing cabinets and jumping off tables. At age 6, Johnson became one of the first students at Liang Chow’s newly opened gymnastics school in West Des Moines. Liang Chow went on to coach Johnson for almost 20 years.
Shawn Johnson’s Education Background
Johnson went to Valley High School, where she earned a spot on the honor roll and enjoyed attending football games and dances. She managed to maintain a more well-rounded lifestyle through 2008, unlike many elite female gymnasts. Johnson left the school in 2009 after they had to relocate to Los Angeles, California, with her mother. She, however, finished her high school studies in 2010, although through a private tutor. She later enrolled at Vanderbilt University in 2013, but decided to withdraw before the start of classes.
Shawn Johnson’s Husband
Johnson is married to Andrew East, a professional football long snapper who played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Washington Commanders in 2018. They met through Andrew’s brother Guy East, who introduced them at the London Olympics in 2012. The couple got engaged on July 24, 2015, at Wrigley Field during a Chicago Cubs game, and tied the knot on April 16, 2016, in Franklin, Tennessee. They currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee. They are both members of the ownership group of Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, which they joined in February 2022. Together, Johnson and Andrew run a popular YouTube channel called “The East Family” and host a podcast called “Couple Things.”
Shawn Johnson’s Kids
Johnson has three children, whose dates of birth were all revealed through her YouTube channel. Her first daughter, Drew Hazel East, was born on October 29, 2019; her son, Jett James East, was born on July 19, 2021, and her third child, their second son, Barrett “Bear” Madison East, was born on December 12, 2023.
Brief Career Highlights
- Won the 2006 U.S. Junior National All-Around Championship with a score higher than any of her senior elite competitors.
- Became a member of the U.S. senior team in 2007.
- Competed in the 2007 Pan American Games, winning four gold medals and a silver on floor.
- Won the all-around at the American Cup, U.S. National Championships, and World Championships
- Represented the U.S. at the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and in Jesolo
- Competed again in the American Cup on March 1, 2008, in Madison Square Garden
- Competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where she won the silver medal in floor exercise and gold medal on the balance beam apparatus becoming the second American to win gold on balance beam after Shannon Miller who won in 1996.
- In January 2010, Johnson tore her left ACL and MCL while skiing.
- In May 2010, Johnson announced her return to gymnastics training with a goal of making the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.
- In October 2011 Johnson was named to the 2011 Pan American Games Team. She won a gold medal in the team competition and also a silver medal for her performance on the uneven bars
- On June 3, 2012, Johnson retired from competitive gymnastics due to problems with her left knee.
Medals and Achievements
- She is an all-around and floor exercise silver medalist.
- Was the 2007 U.S. Champion on balance beam and floor exercise
- Won the all-around at the 2007 Visa U.S. National Championships, beating Shayla Worley by more than three points.
- Winner of the 2008 U.S. Visa Championships
- She is a three-time U.S. all-around Champion
- Won the 2008 U.S. Champion on floor exercise and silver medalist on balance beam
- Won the all-around at the Olympic Trials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Was the winner of the 2008 Teen Choice Award for Best Female Athlete
- She is a five-time Pan American Games gold medalist
- The fourth American woman to win the all-around gold medal
- Johnson was one of two female athletes to appear on AOL’s 100 most searched females on the Internet for 2009, ranked 27th.
- Johnson won the ESPY for “Best Female U.S. Olympian” and the “Athlete – Female” Teen Choice Award
- Was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2019.
TV Shows
Johnson was a competitor on the “ABC’s Dancing with the Stars season eight“, where she won the competition in February 2009, becoming the youngest champion in the show’s history at that time. She later returned to the show in 2012, but this time around, she became All-Star Season Runner-Up. She has also featured on other TV talk shows, including CCTV, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Other Ventures
She is an author having written books such as a young adult novel known as “The Flip Side”, “Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams”, and “Shawn Johnson: Olympic Champion: Stories Behind the Smile.”
Shawn Johnson, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 4
Season 4 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test is set to return, following the conclusion of its third season earlier this year. The show has gathered a new lineup of celebrity participants who will face the grueling U.S. Special Forces training. Filmed in Morocco, the season places recruits in harsh desert conditions. According to a press release, the tests will include a death-defying urban ladder crossing between buildings 50 feet above the urban streets. In addition, recruits will face a supply search in an abandoned village where they must race to extraction. Furthermore, they will undergo a plane shell dunk drill, in which pairs of recruits are submerged underwater and must escape. Finally, a treacherous rat-run through dark and narrow tunnels, along with much more.
There will be no eliminations and participants will be required to either quit, fail, or complete the course. The season will premiere on September 25, 2025, and fans can watch the season live on FOX on Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes will be available the next day on Hulu. Shawn Johnson is set to feature as one of the standout participants in Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Season 4. She will feature alongside;
Shawn Johnson’s Net Worth
Johnson has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million. Her foremost source of income is mainly associated with her gymnastics career, endorsements, media appearances, and business ventures.
Shawn Johnson Social Media
Johnson frequently uses Instagram where she interacts and connects with her followers. Her Instagram account, @shawnjohnson, has gained over 4 million followers.