We’re so excited to welcome Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East to the Pura family.

Parents of three, entrepreneurs, creators, podcast hosts… and did we mention the Olympic gold medal?  From conquering the world of sport to navigating the beautiful chaos of family life, Shawn and Andrew bring authenticity, laughter, and heart to everything they do.
Their unfiltered, relatable approach to parenting has built them a loyal community of fellow parents, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with them to help spread the Pura word.

Here, we catch up with Shawn to out more about their views on parenthood, toxin-free products and why they are such big Pura fans…

You’ve both clearly embraced parenthood, was becoming parents always part of the plan?

 Andrew and I were always so excited to be parents one day, and it’s something we talked about a lot while dating. Andrew comes from a big family, and I’m an only child, so we wanted to make sure we were on the same page about parenthood from the get-go. Now, all these years later, it’s been so beautiful to create our own family together - despite having grown up with totally different family cultures. We love getting to create our own memories, traditions, and rhythms, and finding what works best for our kids. It’s so much fun.

In today’s world - and especially under public scrutiny - the pressure on parents is huge. How do you stay kind to yourselves and embrace imperfection?

I think we’ve gotten better at this with each one of our kids. When you’re a first-time parent, you feel the weight of the world, and you want to make sure you’re doing everything right for them. You buy all the products, try to follow a strict schedule, and worry a lot more about ‘getting it right.’ Now, as parents of three, we’ve really let go of a lot of that pressure and have learned to focus more on what’s right for our family specifically. We’ve learned that what works for someone else’s family or child may be great for them, but it may not work for us and that’s totally fine! We try to give ourselves grace, remind ourselves we’re all on the same team, and remain grateful for each new day we get to spend as a family.

Parenting can feel both magical and overwhelming. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to first-time parents?

I’d remind them that there is no better parent for your child than you. Don’t compare your parenting journey to anyone else’s and trust your instincts! You know what’s best for your child and love them the most -and there’s power in that!

Babies can generate a surprising amount of waste - was sustainability on your radar before becoming parents, and how do you approach it now?

It’s amazing how such tiny humans can create so much waste! Before becoming parents, we cared about sustainability, but having a baby really opened our eyes to how quickly things like diapers, wipes, and packaging can pile up. Now, we try to be more intentional. We’re far from perfect, but we try to make small choices that add up over time. Every bit counts!

How realistic is it to be a “green parent” today? Do you have any practical tips for other families trying to reduce their environmental footprint?

 I’m not going to lie - being a 'green parent' can be tricky in today’s world. With so many options and so many companies claiming to be a 'clean brand,' it’s hard to know what’s non-toxic. Luckily, I’ve found brands I trust - like Pura, for example, and that helps remove a lot of the guesswork. If you’re looking for an easy place to start reducing your environmental footprint, I’d say start small, because it can still make a big impact! Buy organic where you can. When it comes to baby essentials, such as diapers, Pura uses more sustainable, plant-based materials like cotton and chlorine free wood pulp to replace oil-based plastics wherever it can. Pura also uses carbon neutral manufacturing and is a certified B Corp. 

Also, buying products without harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates is another easy place to start. Check the ingredient list before you buy and try to support companies that use ingredients you can trust.

Before becoming parents, were you aware that everyday baby products like wipes and diapers can contain harsh chemicals? 

I had no idea! Before having kids, I thought all diapers and wipes were created equal but I quickly learned (the hard way) that many of them contain toxic ingredients that really irritate our babies’ skin. Unfortunately, a lot of diapers and wipes sold in stores today contain chemicals that can cause redness, itching, irritation, and rashes—and no parent has time for that! Buying diapers and wipes with clean ingredients has become a must for us.

Are there any ingredients you actively avoid when choosing wipes, diapers, or other baby care products?

We try to avoid parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and chlorine ingredients that, in my opinion, shouldn’t be so hard to steer clear of. But in today’s world, a lot of these harmful additives make their way into most of our products without us even realizing it. These chemicals can be really irritating, especially for babies with sensitive skin like all three of ours.

What inspired you to partner with Pura, and why does the brand align with your values as parents?

Pura has always been a brand we can trust, so it’s an honor to be partnering with them! They use high-quality, clean ingredients, and their products never irritate our kids’ skin. I love having the peace of mind that we’re using diapers with ‘no nasties,’ as Pura says on their website which means no parabens, phthalates, brighteners, chlorine, fragrances, lotions, or latex. I no longer spend way too long in the store aisle reading the backs of diaper boxes, trying to find one that’s actually non-toxic.

What’s been the biggest difference you’ve noticed since switching to Pura products?

After switching to Pura, our kids haven’t had any issues with diaper rashes -which is amazing! If you’re a parent, you know how miserable it is when your little one has a stubborn rash you just can’t get rid of. They’re in pain, you feel helpless - it’s the worst. Thankfully, those days are behind us since switching to Pura.