Cedar Rapids- An Olympic All-star is trying to get Iowans moving. Iowa native and Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson was in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday. Johnson teamed up with St. Luke’s Hospital for their LiveWell community event to help Iowans live healthier lives.

Besides winning one gold and three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Johnson was also the Season 8 Dancing with the Stars Champion. Now she hopes she can help get kids moving. “I feel like we’ve lost that interest because kids don’t want to exercise because it just seems studious instead of fun, and we are trying to make if fun again,” said Johnson.

In December, Johnson teamed up with Rep. Bruce Braley to introduce the Shawn Johnson Fitness for Life Act. It’s a bill aimed to combat childhood obesity by incorporating new technology into physical education programs. “You’re kind of steering away from the written tests the kind of part of P.E. that kids don’t like and it’s trying to make it fun again, and active and interactive,” said Johnson. The University of Northern Iowa currently offers a master’s degree program in Physical education, where Graduate students work full-time at the Grundy Center. The program uses technology like heart monitors, Pocket PC’s , and computerized fitness assessment programs. The bill would create a grant program to fund 10 new master’s degree programs in physical education that emphasize the use of this same technology.

Many Eastern Iowans said Johnson is the perfect person to inspire kids to get fit. “I think people do look up to her, I was very proud of her so I think it’s a great thing for her to be doing,” said Kelly Kellerhals, of Marion. “Especially for the young girls here in Iowa, I think it’s very important what she is doing,” said Marge Hunt, of Marion.

As Johnson trains for the 2012 Olympics, she’s trying to spread the message that it doesn’t take competing in an elite sport to stay fit. “It’s just about finding little things in life that can really change how you live and make you happier and healthier and it’s what I live for,” said Johnson. The gymnast announced on Tuesday that she is now an author. Her book titled, “Moving Balance” will be available June 5th.