At the Olympic Games in Beijing, Shawn earned an individual gold medal in the balance beam and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise and team categories.
In April 2009, Shawn was named the 79th Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Sullivan Award winner, one of the most prestigious honors in amateur sports.
Shawn is a Boys & Girls Club of America Triple Play Ambassador for Action, a program which motivates kids to become more physically active. She is also involved in a number of animal and children's charities, as well as cancer charities, particularly those that affect women and children.