Elizabeth Smart, the advocate known for her resilience after a 2002 kidnapping, has revealed a surprising new chapter in her life: competitive bodybuilding. At 38, Smart recently shared a photo from her fourth bodybuilding competition, the Wasatch Warrior show in Salt Lake City, marking a bold departure from her public image as a trauma survivor advocate.
In an Instagram post, Smart acknowledged the unexpected nature of her pursuit, writing, "I understand the shock... had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago, I would have said, 'absolutely not! Never in 100 years!'" She admitted to previously hesitating to share this aspect of her life, fearing judgment or that it might undermine her advocacy work. However, she realized these concerns mirrored feelings many survivors experience.
"Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors," Smart explained. "I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it."
Smart, who shares three children with her husband of 14 years, Matthew Gilmour, emphasized the importance of embracing new challenges. "After the difficulties I've faced and the older I've gotten, I realize how important it is to make the most of today," she said. "We don't know what tomorrow brings." She expressed a desire to avoid "living a half-life" and encouraged others to "find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness."
Her coach, Robyn Maher, praised Smart's performance, noting on Instagram that she "killed it" on stage and has set new goals for future competitions. This revelation comes as Smart continues to speak openly about her past, including in a recent Netflix documentary, where she discussed choosing to share her story to give it meaning and purpose. Her bodybuilding journey now stands as a testament to personal growth and resilience beyond her traumatic experience.