Elizabeth Smart, the survivor of a high-profile abduction who has spent over two decades advocating for victims of sexual violence, revealed she competed in her fourth bodybuilding competition, sharing photos of her muscular physique in a bikini on Instagram on April 21, 2026.
The 38-year-old Smart said she had long feared posting such images, worried she would be judged or seen as less credible in her advocacy work, but realized those feelings mirrored the shame often experienced by survivors.
She described bodybuilding as a way to reclaim her bodily autonomy after enduring nine months of captivity, rape, and abuse beginning at age 14 in 2002, calling it a positive experience that challenged her physically and mentally.
Smart emphasized that her body has carried her through trauma, raised three children, and faced every life challenge, saying she refuses to be ashamed of it and wants to celebrate its strength and resilience.
She acknowledged hesitation in sharing her transformation, admitting she once would have said she’d never compete in a bodybuilding show, but now embraces new experiences to avoid living a half-life filled with regret.
Smart thanked her coach and support team for helping her prepare for the competition and expressed hope that others find the courage to pursue growth, happiness, and self-betterment without fear of judgment.
The revelation comes months after the release of the Netflix documentary “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart,” which renewed public attention on her abduction and survival story.
Smart links her bodybuilding journey to broader survivor experiences with shame and self-perception
She explained that her reluctance to post bikini-stage photos stemmed from worries about being perceived as “less than” or unworthy to continue advocating for survivors, a mindset she recognized as “eerily familiar” to trauma survivors.
This realization prompted her to proceed public, framing her decision as a rejection of internalized shame and an affirmation of her right to pursue personal growth beyond her public identity as an activist.
Bodybuilding serves as a tool for reclaiming control after trauma, Smart says
Smart stated that building muscle and competing allowed her to reconnect with her body’s strength after years of feeling it was violated and compromised during captivity.
She noted the discipline required in training and competition mirrored the resilience she had to summon during her abduction, framing the sport as an extension of her survival.
Her advocacy work remains central despite fears of being judged for new pursuits
Smart, a married mother of three, continues to work with missing persons and sex abuse victims through her foundation, writing, and media appearances, emphasizing that her bodybuilding does not diminish that commitment.
She argued that survivors are multidimensional and should not be reduced to a single label, insisting she can be both an advocate and an athlete without contradiction.
Smart reflects on aging, time, and the importance of embracing new challenges
She said that as she grows older, she feels increasing urgency to make the most of the present, noting that tomorrow is uncertain and she does not want to look back with regret over unexplored possibilities.
This mindset, she shared, drove her to attempt bodybuilding despite initial resistance and now motivates her to encourage others to pursue their own goals without fear.
Why did Elizabeth Smart wait to share her bodybuilding photos publicly?
Smart said she hesitated for years, fearing she would be judged, not taken seriously, or perceived as less credible in her advocacy work for sexual violence survivors.
How does Elizabeth Smart connect her bodybuilding to her experience as a kidnapping survivor?
She described bodybuilding as a way to reclaim her bodily autonomy and celebrate her body’s strength after it endured trauma, carried her through abuse, and raised three children.