Elizabeth Smart, the renowned kidnapping survivor and child safety advocate, has unveiled a remarkable new chapter in her life: competitive bodybuilding. The 38-year-old mother of three recently revealed she has already won a competition in the NPC Wasatch Warrior's Fit Model division.
Smart's journey into bodybuilding began as an extension of her fitness routine, which started with running marathons after having children. "I started running with a jogging stroller after my first baby," she recalled on a recent podcast episode. "Then I had another baby, so I got an even bigger jogging stroller."
Her transition to bodybuilding represents a profound personal transformation. "Had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago," Smart wrote on social media, "I would have said, 'absolutely not! Never in 100 years!'" She admitted initial hesitation about sharing her new pursuit, concerned it might affect her credibility as an advocate for trauma survivors.
"I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it," Smart declared, a statement carrying particular weight given her history.
Smart was just 14 when she endured nine months of captivity in 2002, an experience that left her initially feeling "scared of men" and "scared of a lot of things" after her rescue. Her path to healing involved telling her story publicly and helping other victims overcome shame.
Beyond her advocacy work, Smart has built a full family life with husband Matthew Gilmour, whom she met while on a religious mission in Paris. The couple, who married in 2012, raise their three children in Utah while navigating the challenges of parenting with Smart's heightened safety concerns.
"My husband is very good at noticing when I'm reaching my limits," Smart explained. When stress builds, the family prioritizes self-care through massages, dinners out, and movie nights.
Smart's approach to fitness reflects her broader philosophy of resilience. "Doing a run, there's all the benefits that you'd get normally," she noted, "but also reminding yourself, you're strong. You went miles—or half a mile, or however long—you did something hard already. You can do anything."
Her bodybuilding achievement represents more than physical transformation—it's the latest demonstration of Smart's remarkable capacity to reclaim her narrative and embrace life fully after trauma. As she reflected on her evolving perspective: "I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today. I don't want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life."