International Gymnast Magazine Online

As Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson enjoys the spotlight at red-carpet events and other celebrity functions, she told IG this week that she has begun working toward a possible return to gymnastics competition.

credits: inside gymnastics magazine online

“As of about two weeks ago I started with a personal trainer to help me get back into shape and get me ready to go back to gymnastics, if that’s the route I want to take,” she said . “So I’m just working hard with that. At the same time, though, I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get, because you never know if they will present themselves again.”

In 2009, Johnson has won the James A. Sullivan Award as the top U.S. amateur athlete of 2008, ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and the Young Hollywood Athlete Award. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Johnson placed first on balance beam and second all-around, on the floor exercise and with the U.S. team.

Since Johnson and partner Mark Ballas won “Dancing with the Stars” in May, Johnson’s schedule has included a virtually non-stop agenda of award shows, movie premieres, charity events and promotional appearances across the U.S.

Among the most prestigious events Johnson recently attended were the MTV Awards on May 31; and the Young Hollywood Awards and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation 20th Annual “A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival,” both held June 7.

Johnson said she was honored to win the Young Hollywood Athlete Award, which fellow “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Steve-O presented to her.

The Pediatric AIDS Foundation carnival was particularly meaningful, said the 17-year-old Johnson.

“I got to work with the kids a lot and just have fun,” she said. “I would love to be able to continue to do that event for many years to come, because not only was it entertaining but it was for a great cause.”

On Tuesday, Johnson and Ballas will be presenters at the Country Music Television Awards in Nashville. Johnson will also attend next month’s ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. She was just nominated in two categories of the Teen Choice Awards that will air Aug. 10 on FOX. Johnson is up for honors as Female Reality/Variety Star, and Female Athlete.

Despite the travel and time commitments her current schedule requires, Johnson said she is glad to take advantage of the invitations she has been receiving since last summer’s Olympics.

“It’s definitely hard and I don’t get to sleep very often, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Johnson, who hails from West Des Moines. “I think I’m kind of just running off of the adrenaline still.”

In addition to the CMT, ESPY and Teen Choice award shows, Johnson’s summer will include gymnastics camps, charity events and “Shawn Johnson and Friends,” her own production show in Des Moines.

“I still don’t really know what’s to come in the future for me, and that’s what makes it so interesting,” Johnson said. “For now, I’m just taking it one day at a time and seeing what comes my way.”

As Johnson’s fame grows, she credits her parents and friends, for helping her enjoy her celebrity status and stay true to herself.

“They still treat me like the same Shawn Johnson I’ve always been,” Johnson told IG. “They always make sure that, when I do get the chance to go home, it’s just the normal, comforting environment I grew up in and know.”

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