Elizabeth Smart has survived horrific conditions, which were detailed in Netflix’s ‘I Am Elizabeth Smart’, and now, the children’s activist has begun a new journey in life
01:27 ET, 22 Apr 2026Updated 01:56 ET, 22 Apr 2026
Elizabeth Smart admitted that she’s now ’embracing’ a new hobby(Image: Getty Images)
Elizabeth Smart has revealed she’s taken up bodybuilding as a new hobby as she admitted to her followers that it “probably shocked many of you.”
On Tuesday, April 21, the 38-year-old child safety activist took to Instagram to share a photo of herself participating in a bodybuilding competition. Alongside the post, which captured her on the stage at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, Elizabeth wrote, “When I posted the pictures on my story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you, and I understand the shock because 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!'” The event spanned from April 17 to April 18.
Elizabeth, who previously went through a horror ordeal as she was sexually abused, brainwashed, and starved, went on to confess that this was actually her fourth bodybuilding competition. However, she wasn’t confident to post about her competitions until now.
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“I was too afraid to post it before. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors,” she divulged.
Elizabeth was a victim of daily rapes, and survived physical abuse and starvation during her nine-month-long abduction at age 14. After authorities found her while she was walking the streets of Utah, she was reunited with her family in March 2003. Following the horrific period, she became a children’s safety advocate.
Elizabeth opened up about her reason for showing her bodybuilder competition photo online for first time(Image: Instagram)
In her caption, she acknowledged the link between sharing her new fitness journey and her trauma from being abducted as teenager.
“This past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors,” Elizabeth wrote. “I think it’s easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that’s not me nor do I think it’s any of us we are more than just one topic, one idea, one label.”
She added, “I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we don’t know what tomorrow brings. And I don’t want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.”
Elizabeth was abducted at the age of 14 for nine months(Image: Getty Images)
Bodybuilding she wrote, was “a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up. I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.
“My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it’s created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it.
“I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can. I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness.”
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.
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