The sixteen-year-old medal hopeful sits down and talks to Guideposts magazine.
Guideposts: Is there any ritual or activity you do before the start of a competition?
Shawn Johnson: I just make sure I relax and eat a good energy-filled meal. I like granola and I eat a lot of protein and fruit to keep me strong and healthy.
GP: Have you ever been scared before a big competition? How did you get through it?
SJ: I don’t think I have ever been scared, but I do always get nervous and I have learned to relax and calm down and trust myself. It always helps when I talk to myself; just reassuring myself that I am ready and I can do it.
GP: What’s something that always brightens your mood?
SJ: My animals always brighten my day. If I had a hard practice or am just not feeling great, my pets always seem to make me smile when I get home. I have a golden retriever named Tucker. Tucker is the perfect workout companion. I always take him with me when I go running or ride my bike, but what he loves the most is when I do stationary exercises like sit ups or stretching because he thinks licking my face and wrestling with me gets me working harder and helps motivate me.
GP: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
SJ: My parents told me to, “Follow your heart and have fun.” They have always encouraged me to do my best and have been behind me 100 percent of the way. The most important part is to enjoy putting in all of the hard work to reach my dream of becoming an Olympian. I love what I do and it’s because of that that I am able to excel so much in my sport.
GP: You’ve said before that the balance beam is your favorite event. Why?
SJ: I love the challenge and thrill. It makes you work so hard and demands so much perfection that it really just pushes me everyday to become even better than before. It’s an event that really stretches the limits and shows everybody that anything is possible.
