Exclusive Interview
How ‘Special Forces’ Changed Shawn Johnson & Andrew East’s Marriage
Shawn Johnson and Andrew East have been married for nearly a decade, and they put their relationship to the test in a big way on Season 4 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. While the two are competing individually on the show, they got to see each other through some of the hardest challenges they’ve each ever faced.
The couple opened up to Swooon about how their marriage was affected by the rigorous course and process.
“I think it definitely strengthened our marriage,” Johnson admitted. “Especially in a marriage, you’re always trying to learn each other even more. We learned a lot about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how to help each other and support each other, so that was great.”
The former football player added, “With all of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, you kind of just see elements of each other that you otherwise wouldn’t, naturally, so I feel like I understand Shawn and what makes her so wonderfully and beautifully unique in a totally different light now.”
The athletes tied the knot in 2016 and have since welcomed three children. Their first, daughter Drew, was born in October 2019, followed by son Jett in July 2021 and another son, Bear, in December 2023. For now, the kids are a little young to watch the show, but there are certain aspects they’re looking forward to seeing.
“They’re 5, 4, ad 1, so I think we’ll watch it first,” Johnson laughed. “But yes, they really want to see us jump out of a helicopter and do the adrenaline stuff.”
The Season 4 cast also stars married couple Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker, as well as mother/daughter duo Teresa Giudice and Gia Giudice. Other cast members include Kody Brown, Brittany Cartwright, Mark Estes, Johnny Manziel, Eva Marcille, Jussie Smollett, and more.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Season 4, Thursday, September 25, 9/8c, Fox
