Winning Beyond Sports

From Olympic Gold & the NFL to Building a Media Empire: Shawn Johnson East & Andrew East's Journey

The Ultimate Balancing Act: Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Parenthood

From dominating the Olympic stage and the NFL field to building a thriving media empire, Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East have mastered the art of reinvention. In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we dive into their journey—how they transitioned from elite athletes to business owners, overcame setbacks, and built a media brand reaching millions weekly.

From Elite Athletes to Life’s Next Chapter

The transition from professional sports to everyday life is one of the most challenging experiences elite athletes face. For Shawn and Andrew, it was no different.

“It felt like running full speed into a brick wall.” – Shawn Johnson East

Shawn, after winning Olympic gold in gymnastics at just 16, faced uncertainty when she retired. She explored different career paths—acting, entrepreneurship—but struggled to find her footing. Eventually, she returned to gymnastics, regained her confidence, and retired a second time, this time alongside Andrew.

Andrew, on the other hand, spent years in a turbulent NFL career as a long snapper. Signing with eight teams in five years, he had no choice but to embrace uncertainty. His football career ended unexpectedly, forcing him to rethink his future. Both found themselves at a crossroads, questioning what was next.

Discovering Their Next Big Thing: The YouTube Experiment

During this transition, Andrew stumbled upon YouTube. Initially, he saw it as a side hustle—an experiment to pass the time.

“Our first check from YouTube was $7.52. But I realized, if we can make money on this, what if we could cover our mortgage?” – Andrew East

Their content began gaining traction. They built their channel from scratch, focusing on storytelling, content creation, and authenticity. But it wasn’t an easy road. They faced skepticism from traditional media and even doubted their own path.

Fast forward nine years: They’ve created over 20,000 videos, amassed over 7 billion views, and built a business with multiple revenue streams.

How They Built a Thriving Media Business

Today, Shawn and Andrew have turned their content into a full-fledged business. Here’s how they monetize their brand:

1. Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships

Their biggest revenue source comes from major brand collaborations. Companies like Amazon, Built, and Rubbermaid recognize the power of their family-friendly brand and loyal audience.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Beyond direct sponsorships, the couple earns revenue through commission-based partnerships, promoting products they genuinely use and love.

3. Private Equity & Business Ventures

They invest in brands they believe in, leveraging their influence to drive business growth while earning equity in the process.

4. Merchandising & Products

They’ve launched their own merchandise, providing fans with products that align with their brand.

5. Events & Speaking Engagements

From corporate events to social media industry panels, they leverage their platform to educate and inspire audiences.

6. Content Monetization

With millions of YouTube views, social media reach, and a thriving podcast (Couple Things), ad revenue plays a crucial role in their business.

“The less about ourselves we make it, the better the result in all different areas.” – Andrew East

Building a Business That Supports Their Life—Not the Other Way Around

Unlike many entrepreneurs who grind for years before achieving balance, Shawn and Andrew prioritized creating a business model that supports their family life. With three kids under five, they’ve learned to set boundaries and focus on what truly matters.

“We could 5X or 10X our earnings, but that would come at the cost of not spending time with our kids.” – Shawn Johnson East

For them, success isn’t just about scaling—it’s about designing a life that aligns with their values.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Content Creators

Shawn and Andrew’s journey offers powerful takeaways for anyone looking to build a business, brand, or career on their own terms:

✅ Authenticity Wins: Their content resonates because it’s real. They don’t follow trends—they stay true to who they are.

✅ Consistency is Key: From YouTube to business ventures, they credit persistence as the reason they’ve succeeded.

✅ Mentorship Matters: Andrew sought guidance from industry leaders, which helped shape their business strategy.

✅ Build for the Long-Term: Instead of chasing quick wins, they focused on creating sustainable revenue streams.

✅ Work with the Right People: Their business grew when they built a supportive team, allowing them to focus on creativity.

What’s Next for the East Family?

When asked about the future, their response was simple:

“If we can keep doing what we’re doing, that would be the dream.”

Rather than chasing aggressive expansion, they want to continue balancing work and family, growing at a pace that aligns with their lifestyle.

Final Thoughts: Living the Sidekick Life

At The Sidekick Life, we believe entrepreneurs are sidekicks to their customers, solving real-world problems and guiding them toward success. Shawn and Andrew embody this philosophy, serving their audience with valuable content that entertains, educates, and inspires.

Their story proves that with persistence, adaptability, and a clear mission, you can build a thriving business that works for you—not the other way around.