Shawn Johnson East is gearing up to experience the Olympics with her family.
The former gymnast, 32, who took home a gold medal in 2008, will be heading to Paris in July to cover the 2024 games. However, Shawn is more excited than ever because she now gets to bring her husband, Andrew East, and their children, Drew, 4, Jett, 2, and Bear, 6 months, along with her.
"I've been telling people I remember being at the Olympics in 2008, thinking this is the epitome of success and joy in my life," the proud mama explained in a recent interview. "I'm going back with my husband and kids, and it feels so much better — like this is better than any gold medal."
Shawn revealed she met her spouse long after she retired from the sport, so she's been looking forward to giving him a glimpse into her old life. "I think there is something really special about the Olympics that are so unique, and they're so grand," she said.
"It was such a big pivotal part of my life that my husband didn't get to experience. To be able to kind of share that with him feels special. And being able to share that part of my life with my kids a little bit seems pretty cool," the Iowa native explained.
The couple joined forces to ensure the athletes who are partaking in the games have babysitters to look after their children, starting the Moment Makers Foundation, which gives grants to people who need help.
"What if I was competing this year, and we had our kids? And then it hit me that there are a lot of competing athletes who do have children?" Shawn added. "And the logistics of that, in my mind, I was like if this is ever some sort of barrier for them to compete, or to feel comfortable, or to feel at all confident in their performance. I would hate that for them."
The mother-of-three gave birth to her youngest child in December 2023 and now feels like their brood is complete. "I can't even picture our family anymore without our third," Shawn said.
"He's the most perfect angel child addition to our family. But I will say three kids is a lot. Three kids is like, I never feel like I'm under control. And I guess it's just how it will be. But it's amazing," she gushed.
When asked if people warned her and her partner about the struggles of having a large crew, Shawn noted, "I feel like it was pretty split. People are either like three will put you over the edge or three is just another. And I think because our kids are also so close, which is exactly how we wanted it. We want them to be close in age and close to each other."
Parents conducted the interview with Shawn.