A crowd of fans gathered at City Winery NYC to hear Olympic gold-medal gymnast Shawn Johnson and former NFL player Andrew East discuss their new book, The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something (Penguin Random House). The busy married pair reside in Tennessee and have three children.

Johnson first rose to fame during the 2008 Olympic Games, where she won four medals, including gold on the balance beam.  East played in the NFL as a long snapper. Together, the couple has built a large online following by sharing their experiences on their podcasts and social media. 

At the launch, the couple discussed what commitment means to them, sharing a multitude of lessons of what they’ve learned from their marriage and careers. They explored how to remain focused in a world where people are often encouraged to keep their options open.

Photo by Lauren Herz

A Powerful Conversation

One of the evening’s best elements was the audience’s frequent participation. Shawn and Andrew spoke openly about the realities of their early long-distance relationship, family responsibilities, and life in the public eye. 

Lauren Herz with Shawn Johnson and Andrew East at their book launch at City Winery.

While discussing their book, the entrepreneurs stressed the importance of making commitments where you can benefit. For instance, Shawn shared her exasperating attempts at several sports as a child. Her frustrations only worsened until she eventually committed to gymnastics, which she found addicting and gave her a sense of purpose. She emphasized that commitment needn’t be restrictive. 

The Courage to Commit encourages readers to invest in decisions that matter most. Shawn and Andrew highlight the importance of narrowing your focus; commitments should only occur when it is worth your energy. The launch offered both a celebration of the book’s release and a thoughtful discussion about perseverance.