The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking with Something

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From former Olympic gymnast and gold medal winner Shawn Johnson East and former NFL pro Andrew East—the dynamic duo behind the chart-topping Couple Things podcast—a bold rebrand of commitment in an uncommitted world

Modern life seems designed to keep us uncommitted. Commitment is unsexy, uncool, old-fashioned. Why commit to a loving but flawed partner when there are endless romantic options to swipe through on the apps? Why double down on finishing a difficult project when you could be scrolling TikTok, streaming Netflix, or starting a new, more exciting idea? We live in a world of limitless distraction, infinite possibility, a barrage of options and choices always available. So why does it still feel like something is missing?

As a gold medal winning Olympic gymnast and a former NFL pro, husband and wife team Shawn Johnson and Andrew East know a thing or two about committing. And with The Courage to Commit, they’re here to prove just how contrarian committing can be in an age of dopamine-chasing impatience. Through scientific studies and personal stories, Shawn and Andrew show readers why commitment matters, how it works, and the strategies and tactics to get things done—so you can become the type of person who gets that promotion, enjoys a rewarding marriage, and achieves that long-held dream. In short, so you can move beyond fear and find the freedom, meaning, and joy we all crave.

This isn't a book about cold plunges or intermittent fasting or meditation. Instead, The Courage to Commit makes a simple case for sticking with the things that matter. Because in a world of options and distraction, the real rebellion is choosing your hill to die on—and then planting your flag there with gusto.

Shawn Johnson East is a former gymnast, a three-time U.S. all-around Champion in women’s gymnastics, and the 2008 Olympic balance beam gold medalist and team, all-around, and floor exercise silver medalist. She is also the winner of season eight of Dancing with the Stars. Andrew East is a former NFL long snapper and played college football at Vanderbilt. Shawn and Andrew met in 2012, married in 2016, and now live in Tennessee with their three children.