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Shawn Johnson recently expressed her views on the growing toxicity in youth sports and the added pressure it creates on children. The four-time Olympic medalist further reflected on how this parenting approach is demolishing the childhood of the kids of this generation.
Apart from her Olympic feats, the former artistic gymnast also earned three gold medals in the 2007 World Championships and five gold medals from the Pan American Games. She started her training under notable head coach Liang Chow at the age of 6 and was one of his first students when he established his gymnastics facility in West Des Moines.
She recently appeared in Whistle's Breaking Barriers podcast with Maddy Kirchofer on June 5, 2025, and disclosed her thoughts on the toxicity of youth sports, which subsequently puts pressure on the younger generation.
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"I think it's such a toxic culture right now for kids and it's really sad because kids should be playing. They should be trying everything and when they get to college, maybe try to figure out what they would like want to do like in that age but they don't have to be worrying about it and all these coaches out there preaching to parents like quit everything and homeschool them and put them in this 20 hours a week or 40 hours a week at the age of six like it's all wrong," she said [2:08 onwards].
Shawn Johnson retired from the sport in 2012, following knee problems. The two-time medalist from the American Cup is a mother of three children and was honoured with the James E. Sullivan Award in 2008. In 2009, she was conferred the ESPY Award for the Best US Female Olympian.
Shawn Johnson reflects on her fitness routine
Shawn Johnson appeared in the Post Run High Podcast with Katie Mackz on March 21, 2025. Through the podcast, the retired artistic gymnast revealed her fitness regime, further highlighting the exercises she engages in.
"I lift heavy weights and that is what makes my body feel the best feel the strongest but like I'm in the gym lifting doing like kettle bells doing Olympic lifts," she shared [1:07 onwards].
Shawn Johnson is also an author whose second book, titled 'Winning Balance: What I’ve Learned So Far About Love, Faith and Living Your Dreams' became a New York Times Best Seller. It was released in June 2012, and her first book, titled 'Olympic Champion-Stories Behind the Smile', was released in January 2009.
