Shawn Johnson | Shawn Johnson and Drew Hazel | Source: Getty Images | Instagram.com/shawnjohnson
- Shawn Johnson East, the amazing Olympic gymnast who became a role model, has always been honest about the ups and downs of her life.
- After her impressive success in the 2008 Olympics, Shawn's life outside sports has been about growing personally and staying strong, especially as a mom.
- The arrival of her third child is a new part of her incredible story, mixing the happiness of being a mom with the challenges of being a celebrity.
Shawn Johnson is a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Womens Gymnastics team. | Source: Getty Images
After the excitement of winning at the Olympics in 2008, Shawn went through tough times dealing with how she saw her body and feeling down, which happens to many athletes after big competitions. She gained 15 pounds and tried different weight loss pills, including ephedrine and Adderall.
In Shawn's mind, people applauded her for her Olympic accomplishments and praised her as a person during that time. She believed that if she could resemble that version of herself — not necessarily participating in gymnastics or competitions but just embodying that person — then the world would acknowledge her as sufficient and accept her.
Her journey took a more profound turn with the heartbreaking experience of a miscarriage, followed by the joy of giving birth to her daughter, Drew, and later son, Jett. Shawn Johnson's reflections on her miscarriage are both poignant and relatable. She expressed a deep sense of loss. She wrote:
"My husband Andrew and I found out that we were unexpectedly pregnant, only to find out hours later some tragic news. I have been crying more than I ever have, but am still optimistic for what is next."
The day after Shawn told her husband she was pregnant with their first child, she miscarried. The athlete revealed this in a new Second Edition film from I Am Second, describing how getting pregnant felt like a miracle from God, only for her to lose her baby:
"I had these guilty feelings of if I can't even take care of a child for a week in my stomach, I can't raise a child on my own. I felt guilty to Andrew that I had lost his child, and I felt guilty to God that I had lost his child."
Fast forward to the present, and Shawn, at 31, is celebrating the arrival of her third child. Shawn chose Instagram to share this joyous news, showing a photo that instantly sparked curiosity and excitement among her followers.
The baby's arrival on December 12, 2023, was a moment of triumph and relief for Shawn and Andrew, emphasizing the miracle of life and the strength of a mother. The mom of three said in her familyMADE newsletter that their newborn is healthy and that she is in recovery, having learned to be really patient with her body.
Shawn didn't know her heart could love another baby just as much as she loved her other two kids, but the moment her third baby was born, her heart expanded and tripled in size. "Being a mom is truly my favorite thing," she gushed.
The intrigue doesn't stop at the birth announcement. Fans quickly became detectives, speculating on the baby's name and gender based on Shawn's Instagram post captioned "🐻. " Guesses ranged from a boy or a girl named "Teddy" to a child called "Bear" or "Cub," showcasing the playful engagement of her audience.
While some fans pondered over the possible names, others simply expressed their joy and congratulations, reflecting the warmth and support of the community Shawn has built over the years. One fan wrote sweetly, "Congratulations to your sweet fam!"
The athlete later revealed her third child's name in an Instagram post, confirming some of the fans' speculations. Shawn captioned a family picture with their youngest son's name, Barrett "Bear" Madison East. The nickname Bear matched the guesses some fans had given earlier.
Shawn's fans are excited about the new addition to the family. They said, "He is just perfection!" "He's sooooo cute!" another fan agreed. More fans commented, "Sending so much love your way!" Fans agreed that the baby boy was perfect.
Shawn is open to expanding her family further, though she may not be considering pregnancy as the route. During a Q&A session on her Instagram Story, the former Olympic gymnast shared her thoughts about future family plans.
Shawn indicated that while she is not ruling out the possibility of more children, she feels her body has reached its limit with pregnancies. She expressed gratitude for her experiences but noted the physical demands of three full-term pregnancies and the impact on her health.
As a result, she is focusing on staying healthy and active for her existing and potentially future children, with adoption now a considered option for expanding her family. She reportedly said:
"I want to be as healthy and active for my kids as possible."
Shawn's journey from Olympic star to a loving mother of three is a testament to her resilience and capacity for love. Her openness about her struggles and triumphs provides a source of inspiration and connection, particularly to women who have faced similar experiences. As she embarks on this new chapter with her growing family, Shawn continues to embody the spirit of strength, vulnerability, and unconditional love.
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