Why Special Forces’ Shawn Johnson Was “Paralyzed” By Her Perfectionism

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For years, Shawn Johnson East‘s quest for perfection kept her from getting in the swing of things. 

Her relentless pursuit of perfection helped her win an Olympic medal—she earned a gold and three silvers at the 2008 Beijing Games—but it also held her back in other areas of life. In an interview with TopMob News, she explained that she became so afraid of failure that she hesitated to try new things, fearing she wouldn’t be good at them and would appear incompetent.

She was even nervous that innocuous activities with friends would land her in the rough. 

She confessed she used to be too worried about playing Top Golf. She was afraid people would criticize her if she wasn’t good, and that fear really held her back.

She says her husband, Andrew East—a former NFL player—helped her gain confidence and explore new opportunities. He was instrumental in helping her overcome past issues, and she acknowledges his support over the last decade.

Still, tackling Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test required learning a whole new playbook. 

The 33-year-old athlete described the 10-day selection process for the elite military unit as a powerful way to confront fear repeatedly. He explained that the experience involved pushing through intense hardship – ‘we were all just gonna grind through this’ – and accepting vulnerability, even experiencing physical reactions like vomiting and feeling terrified. Despite the difficulty, he found the process ultimately very freeing and emotionally relieving.

She gained a lot from her time on the Fox reality show, both by finishing training camp alongside Gia Giudice and by overcoming personal insecurities, according to Shawn.

That opportunity was the reason she vaulted into the competition in the first place. 

Andrew explained that Shawn had been asked to handle this before in past seasons, but wasn’t available because she had other priorities. Andrew himself lost his armband in the November 20th finale after a difficult interrogation.

As in, explained the mom to Drew, 6, Jett, 4, and Bear, 23 months, “I was pregnant. Every time.”

After her last cub was born in December 2023, the show’s producers asked if she’d like to be on season four, and even bring a partner with her.

Andrew joked that when they realized they could tackle the project as a couple, it felt like a ‘second honeymoon’ – though he quickly added with a laugh that it would be a ‘crazy and messed up’ one.

A vacation that was light on sunbathing sessions, but heavy on self-reflection. 

Shawn described their shared love of thrills, explaining, “We actually enjoy skydiving!” While they admire the military, they were also curious about their own limits. “We’re both used to challenging ourselves physically,” Shawn said, “but this felt like a different kind of test altogether.”

For both, it was the chance to discover who they were beneath the accolades. 

After being a professional athlete and then going through a period of feeling lost, I wondered what it would be like to return to a competitive environment,” the author and YouTuber shared. “It felt great to be secure and confident in my roles as Andrew’s wife and a mother to our children.”

Because it’s a role she’s stuck perfectly. 

Shawn said that even when the former Special Forces soldiers tried to challenge her and gauge her self-assurance, she remained steady and didn’t falter.

The host of the Couple Things podcast shared how people often complain about their partner being nearby when they’re hurt, saying things like, ‘Isn’t it frustrating when you’re injured and they’re just standing there?’ But she responds, ‘Actually, that’s wonderful! It means I have an incredible husband.’

Ultimately, the process made her feel she was part of a winning squad.

Shawn emphasized that he couldn’t have succeeded without his teammate, highlighting their strong partnership. He also expressed a sense of pride in rediscovering who he is, saying he feels confident and happy with his renewed sense of self.

Most people wouldn’t consider a honeymoon filled with mud and mock burials, but this couple felt it actually strengthened their already long-lasting marriage and made it even more special.

Oh my gosh, hearing Andrew say that just gets me! It’s like, the show wasn’t just entertainment, it totally made their marriage and family stronger. He explained it perfectly – being thrown into crazy situations really forced them to see each other, to learn what makes each other tick. It wasn’t about the drama, it was about them growing closer because of it! I always knew it, but hearing him confirm it? Everything!

And the takeaway, continued the athlete, 34, is that he found himself a true MVP.

He admitted that during one of the training sessions, he did intentionally slow down to match Shawn’s pace. However, he emphasized that when considering all the difficulties they faced, and life in general, he and Shawn worked much better together than they did apart.

Let’s take a look at how this team operates when they’re playing on the road and at their home stadium.

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, recently shared a family photo with their children, Drew and Jett. Shawn playfully described the 2022 picture as “Just the Hulk and his family.”

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

In August 2022, Shawn shared that his baby had found a new favorite toy, bringing lots of giggles and smiles – and refusing to let go of it!

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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2025-11-29 14:17