Winning Balance: What I've Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams

"Four-time Olympic gold and silver medalist Shawn Johnson narrates her memoir with charm, vigor, and youthful eloquence. She sincerely portrays her belief that everything happens for a reason and all things happen for the good when you walk by faith. In a soft, mellow voice she characterizes herself as part "nerd, tomboy, and girlie girl." Her tone changes to one of thoughtful conviction when she describes her purpose in writing: to reflect on lessons learned. Specific examples include the disappointment of losing the gold medal in Beijing, the drama of a potentially career-ending ski injury, and the excitement of her surprise flirtation with Hollywood stardom when she won "Dancing with the Stars" in 2009. A section called "Lessons I've Learned" ends each chapter. Johnson's story and narration engage and inspire."
G.D.W. (c) AudioFile Portland, Maine

Twenty-year-old American gymnast Shawn Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold and silver medalist; a national- and world-champion athlete. Already a popular role model to all ages, in 2009 she captured the national spotlight again when she won the widely popular Dancing with the Stars. Yet Shawn is no stranger to hard work and adversity. Her loss of the major gymnastics prize everyone expected her to win in Beijing, the all-around Olympic gold medal, was the loss of a dream she’d worked for since childhood. And later, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury in a skiing accident that forced her life to a halt and made her rethink what was really important. She wasn’t sure who she was anymore. She wasn’t sure what her goals were. And she wasn’t sure she was satisfied with where she was with her faith and God. Could she find the right kind of success in life—the kind that doesn’t involve medals or trophies, but peace, love, and lasting joy? This is the amazing true journey of how the young woman who won an Olympic gold medal on the balance beam became even more balanced.