Shawn & Andrew East Reveal Commitment Blueprint

At a Glance

• The Courage to Commit offers a new perspective on dedication, blending personal stories with neuroscience and psychology.
• The book is a joint effort by Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East and former NFL player Andrew East, who have been married for ten years and host the podcast Couple Things.
• It will hit shelves on June 9 and is available for preorder now.

Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East are announcing the release of their debut co-authored book, The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something. The couple, who met in 2012 and are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, have three children and co-host the popular podcast Couple Things. Their combined experience as elite athletes informs a fresh take on commitment that goes beyond romance and into work, hobbies, and personal growth.

About the Authors

Shawn Johnson East is a four-time Olympic gymnastics medalist who competed at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the floor exercise. Andrew East played in the NFL as a defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Together, they have built a media brand called FamilyMade, offering podcasts, live events, and family-focused resources. In 2023, they launched the Moment Makers Foundation, a charity that assists Olympic and Paralympic parents with childcare.

Shawn grew up in a small town in Iowa, where her early dedication to gymnastics set the stage for a world-class career. Andrew’s journey from college football to the NFL taught him the value of teamwork and resilience. Their partnership blends discipline, creativity, and a shared desire to inspire others.

The Book’s Premise

The Courage to Commit is framed around three core ideas: the courage to begin, the courage to stay, and the courage to bow out gracefully. The authors weave their own narratives-Shawn’s rise from a small town in Iowa to the world stage and Andrew’s journey from college football to the NFL-into research from neuroscience and psychology. They argue that commitment is often seen as a trap, but it can be freeing and worthwhile when applied to partners, careers, or hobbies.

The book includes case studies from athletes, entrepreneurs, and artists, illustrating how long-term focus leads to mastery. It also offers practical exercises, such as goal-setting worksheets and habit-tracking tools, to help readers apply the principles in daily life. Each chapter ends with reflection prompts that encourage readers to assess their own commitments.

> “So often commitment is portrayed as a trap in today’s society, and we want to offer a different perspective that commitment can actually be so freeing and worthwhile, whether that’s commitment to a partner, a job or a hobby,” the couple said in a statement shared exclusively with the publication.

Behind the Scenes

The writing process was described as a “labor of love.” Shawn and Andrew split the work, alternating chapters and editing each other’s drafts. They spent months interviewing 15 experts in motivation, habit formation, and brain science, and they incorporated data on how the brain responds to long-term goals. The cover, released in an exclusive preview, features a stylized image of the couple holding hands against a sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings.

The design team chose a muted color palette to reflect calm focus, while the typography emphasizes clarity and strength. The authors also worked with a professional photographer to capture candid moments that reflect their commitment to authenticity. The book’s layout balances dense research with engaging anecdotes, aiming to keep readers both informed and entertained.

> “Writing this book together has been such a labor of love, and we are so excited to share it with the world,” the authors added.

What Makes This Book Different

• It combines first-hand athletic experience with peer-reviewed scientific studies.
• The narrative is structured around a three-step action plan that readers can test immediately.
• The book includes a companion workbook with printable worksheets and checklists.
• It addresses the modern challenge of distraction by offering concrete habit-building strategies.
• The authors share personal anecdotes that illustrate each concept in real life.
• Readers receive a digital companion app to track habits and receive reminders.
• It includes a section on how to handle setbacks and maintain motivation.

Other Projects

Beyond the book, the Easts continue to expand their influence. FamilyMade hosts weekly episodes of Couple Things, which has become a chart-topping podcast in the relationship niche. The Moment Makers Foundation, founded in 2023, focuses on providing childcare support to Olympic and Paralympic families, ensuring that athletes can compete while their children are cared for. Shawn’s first memoir, Winning Balance, was published in 2013 and offers a behind-the-scenes look at her gymnastics career and life after the sport.

The podcast often features interviews with other athletes, mental-health professionals, and parents, creating a community that values open conversation and mutual growth.

Author Insights

• Shawn: “I’ve learned that the most powerful moments come from staying the course, even when the path feels uncertain.”
• Andrew: “Commitment is a mindset. When you treat it as a tool rather than a burden, it transforms how you live every day.”
• Shawn: “The book is a testament to the power of consistency in all areas of life.”
• Andrew: “We wanted to give people a roadmap for turning intentions into lasting action.”
• Shawn: “Seeing the science behind habit formation made the ideas feel actionable.”
• Andrew: “It’s about turning small daily choices into a legacy.”

How Readers Can Use It

• Identify one personal goal and apply the three-step framework.
• Use the included worksheets to track progress over a month.
• Discuss the concepts with a partner or friend to deepen understanding.
• Set a weekly review to assess whether you’re staying aligned with your commitments.
• Share your insights on social media using the book’s hashtag to join a broader conversation.
• Keep a journal of daily habits to observe patterns and adjust strategies.
• Set a monthly milestone to celebrate progress and recalibrate goals.
• Use the digital companion app to receive reminders and track streaks.
• Attend a local book club session to discuss insights.

Release Details

• Title: The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something
• Publication Date: June 9
• Preorder Availability: Online retailers, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the authors’ official website
• Format: Hardcover, paperback, and e-book

The launch is supported by a coordinated media tour, including interviews on major radio shows and a series of live virtual book readings with fans. The authors plan to host a book club discussion series to help readers dive deeper into the concepts. The book will be distributed through major book retailers and digital platforms worldwide. The Easts will also promote the release across their social-media channels, encouraging fans to share their own commitment stories.

Timeline

Impact on Readers

• Greater focus on long-term goals and measurable milestones.
• Improved habit formation through evidence-based strategies.
• Strengthened personal relationships by aligning values and actions.
• Enhanced career satisfaction by linking daily tasks to larger purpose.

Key Takeaways

• The book merges personal experience with scientific research to redefine commitment.
• Shawn and Andrew’s partnership, rooted in a decade of marriage and shared media ventures, provides credibility and relatability.
• The release on June 9 opens a new conversation about how dedication can shape personal and professional lives.
• Readers can apply the three-step framework-begin, stay, bow out-to any goal, from career advancement to personal relationships.
• The accompanying worksheets and reflection prompts offer a practical toolkit for daily application.
• The Easts’ story illustrates that high-level performance and personal fulfillment are not mutually exclusive.
• The book’s focus on habit science addresses the modern challenge of distraction and offers actionable strategies.
• The book encourages readers to view commitment as a dynamic process rather than a fixed state.

Readers interested in exploring a new framework for staying committed can preorder The Courage to Commit today and join the Easts on their journey toward purposeful living.