Shawn Johnson’s Daughter Drew Wants to Compete in This at the Olympics

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Shawn Johnson East‘s daughter, Drew, is just beginning kindergarten, but she’s already thinking big about what she wants to achieve in the future.

“We were watching a flag football game,” the Olympic gymnast shared with TopMob News while speaking with her husband Andrew East. She told me, ‘Mommy, I want to compete in the Olympics playing softball!'”

Just a short while ago, Shawn pointed out, the 5-year-old found out her mother had won a gold medal and three silver medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Shawn explained that someone had approached him while he was discussing the Olympics. She asked, “What are the Olympics? And why are you talking about them?” Shawn responded, “I realized I probably needed to explain everything to her.”

Drew didn’t realize why her entire family-including her brothers Jett, age 4, and Bear, 21 months-was able to go to the games in Paris last year. She also hadn’t noticed her mom and Simone Biles knew each other well. But after seeing everything, Drew realized she could also achieve Olympic success and win a medal.

“That’s just so beautiful,” Shawn exclaimed, “because you’re showing a child that anything is achievable, and I really appreciate that.”

Though the 33-year-old stressed, “As long as it doesn’t add pressure.”

Although she successfully completed the skill when she was younger, the thought of her children feeling pressured to achieve the same level makes her uneasy.

“Spiral,” joked Shawn. “Mom guilt.” 

And her eldest isn’t the only one ready to tackle some heady ambitions. 

Now that Jett has begun playing flag football, he’s eager to follow in his dad’s footsteps. “We’ve definitely created a little football fanatic,” Shawn joked about his preschooler. “He’s completely obsessed-even more so than with his bikes, which is surprising. All he talks about is wanting to play tackle football and actually tackle people. I keep telling him, ‘You’ll probably have to wait about 10 years before you’re allowed to do that!’”

Until then, he enjoys spending quality time with his dad, both during their 5:30 a.m. workouts (as Andrew shared, “There’s only one day a week I don’t exercise – Sundays – and he’ll wake me up and ask, ‘Dad, why aren’t you working out?'”) and while playing on the field.

Shawn said it was “really special” that the former NFL long snapper “got to coach his flag football team.” He explained, “I saw the joy of football come back for the first time in a long time. He was like a little kid in a candy store.”

Even the small challenges of parenting are enjoyable for this Vanderbilt University graduate-like their young child’s fascination with construction vehicles, which leads to daily morning walks around their neighborhood in the Nashville area.

According to Shawn, as soon as Bear wakes up, he immediately asks for “Bulldozer.” And it’s essential to locate one – a real bulldozer toy. Shawn explained they have to drive around the neighborhood to find it, or Bear gets very upset, something they really need to address. Right now, bulldozers seem to be running their lives.

Honestly, though, Andrew kinda digs it. 

He explained that it just continues to improve with each stage. “I think to myself, ‘There’s no way it can get any better than this!'” he said. “But then, a couple of months go by, and it’s even more enjoyable.”

His nine-year marriage to Shawn is pretty golden as well. 

To avoid getting overwhelmed by the demands of raising their three children, the stars of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test prioritize spending quality time together. They have a weekly date night and also make sure to connect each evening with a quick drink and conversation after the kids are asleep.

“It used to be wine, but then we began going to bed quite early, around 8:30,” Andrew joked. “By that time, we were just having water instead!”

The hosts of the Couple Things podcast readily agreed when Hatch-the company known for their sound machines, which the hosts use in their home-asked for their help with a new daily audio series. This series is meant to help couples connect during the short amount of time-about 10 minutes-they have after putting the kids to bed and before having time to themselves.

After trying different nighttime activities like card games, cornhole, or darts, they found that these cards were a smart and enjoyable way to encourage connection. As Shawn explained, “It’s like saying, ‘Okay, put your phone down and do this quick, five-minute activity.’ Some cards don’t require talking, while others involve silly stretches. It’s a simple way to intentionally limit technology and create a meaningful moment.”

Andrew explained, “We thought, ‘It would be really fun to do a series of short, casual dates. And if others enjoyed listening, that would be a bonus, but even if not, it’s a great experience for Shawn and me.'”

The two don’t really need any help, but keep reading to see some of their most notable achievements as a family.

Shawn and Andrew appear with their third baby, son Bear, in December 2023.

Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East welcomed their third child on Dec. 12, 2023.

The former NFL player already has a sweet connection with baby No. 3.

The newborn shared a hug with big sister Drew, born in 2019, and brother Jett, born in 2021.

The gymnast captioned this cute shot of her thirdborn with the bear emoji.

Shawn and Andrew, married since 2016, took a photo with Drew and Jett. She wrote as the caption for the 2022 picture, “Just the Hulk and his family.”

For Halloween 2023, the guys chose their fighters as the girls went for magical vibes.

“Honestly, you couldn’t invent this,” Shawn posted in August 2022. “My little one is obsessed with a new toy – lots of giggles, smiles, and he won’t let it go!”

The fam was ready for fireworks on July 4, 2022. 

Shawn and Andrew relaxed with a swim alongside their kids.

Drew modeled her one-piece swimsuit during a family pool day.

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2025-09-30 18:17