Shawn Johnson Shares Candid Thoughts on Experience with Kody Brown During ‘Special Forces

Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East is shedding light on her interactions with fellow participants on the reality show, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Her insights offer a glimpse into the camaraderie and challenges faced by the diverse group of contestants.

During an Instagram Story Q&A on October 24, Johnson East addressed a question about whether Kody Brown, known for his role in Sister Wives, ever got on her nerves during their shared challenges. “To speak generally about the experience—this isn’t specifically about Kody—but we had such a variety of personalities and approaches,” she remarked. “Many of us might not have naturally bonded outside the show, yet there wasn’t a single person I wouldn’t have trusted with my life in the midst of a challenge.”

Season 4 of Fox’s Special Forces brings together Johnson East, Brown, and other contestants as they face intense military-style training designed by real special ops veterans. The show’s format mixes contestants into different teams, offering them the chance to engage with each other in unique ways.

“We were shuffled into different teams frequently, so I had the chance to connect with everyone,” Johnson East shared. “When it came to moments of vulnerability and fear, every participant was supportive, and that support was mutual. Despite any annoyances due to differing styles, I would choose them for my team every time.”

The retired gymnast also appeared on the grueling reality TV competition alongside her husband, Andrew East.

“I would say [the show impacted our marriage] in a great way,” Johnson East, who shares three children with her spouse, said in another upload on Friday. “We each got to see each other’s competitive side and see each other grow.”

She added, “I feel more in love with my husband, seeing how wonderful of a leader he was and how much he took care of everybody. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. He was literally like everybody’s rock. Everyone knew if Andrew was on their team, they were going to do well. He was checking in on everyone and knew everyone’s life story.”

Many of the other stars have been vocal about the season 4 environment, including Brown.

“I was so ashamed because I just made huge mistakes in leadership. It was all just training, [but] it was embarrassing and sad,” Brown exclusively told Us Weekly last month of failing a task while paired with Johnson East on. “In reality, if that would have been a combat situation, both of us might have been dead.”

In addition to working alongside Johnson East, Brown also clashed with fellow recruit Gia Giudice.

“People had some issues with him,” Giudice, 24, told Us in September. “There were just scenarios — which you guys will see on Special Forces — where, maybe, he wasn’t being the best team player and he wasn’t looking out for the people who were on his team and more so just looking out for himself and the end goal to win. When you have other people on your team, we’re trying our best and we’re struggling a little bit. Let us catch our breath.”

Despite some mid-challenge hiccups, Teresa Giudice’s daughter insists that she has “no beef” with Brown.

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.