Child safety activist Elizabeth Smart recently discussed her unexpected path to competitive bodybuilding, emphasizing self-love and resilience after surviving a traumatic kidnapping and abuse.

A Journey of Empowerment

Speaking at an event organized by Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM), a Philadelphia-based non-profit, Smart detailed her foray into the world of competitive bodybuilding and its impact on her healing process. She initially shared this personal journey through a candid Instagram post.

Smart’s story is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma. Abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in 2002 at the age of 14, she endured nine months of captivity marked by repeated sexual assault and psychological torment.

From Survivor to Bodybuilder

Following her rescue, Smart dedicated her life to advocating for missing persons and survivors of sexual abuse, becoming a powerful voice for those who have experienced similar horrors. Her recent participation in a bodybuilding competition represents a new chapter focused on self-love and physical strength.

In her Instagram post, Smart acknowledged the initial shock her bodybuilding photos might have caused, admitting she would have dismissed the idea just a few years prior. She described the experience as physically and mentally challenging, pushing her to overcome self-doubt.

A Message of Self-Acceptance

“This was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up,” she wrote. “I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.” This sentiment underscores the importance of celebrating one’s physical strength, regardless of societal norms.

Smart shared her experience to confront the internalized shame that often plagues survivors, realizing her hesitation stemmed from a fear of judgment. She found these feelings were “eerily familiar” to other survivors.

Ongoing Challenges & Resilience

Smart eloquently articulated the importance of living life to the fullest and pursuing one’s passions without fear of regret. “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,” she stated.

She recently revealed she was assaulted on a Delta flight after falling asleep, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by survivors. The outpouring of support online, with comments like “Unexpected but all I see is a survivor who has taken her power back,” demonstrates her impact.