Elizabeth Smart has revealed a surprising new chapter in her life: competitive bodybuilding. The 38-year-old activist shared a photo on Instagram showing her toned physique on stage at the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the caption, Smart admitted that the revelation might shock many, as she herself would have dismissed the idea just a few years ago. She disclosed that this was actually her fourth competition, but she had previously refrained from posting due to fear of judgment and concerns about how it might affect her advocacy work for survivors of sexual violence.
Smart, who was kidnapped at knifepoint from her home in 2002 and held captive for nine months, founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011 to combat sexual violence and support victims. She noted that her fears about going public with bodybuilding were 'eerily familiar' to the feelings many survivors experience.
Emphasising that she is more than a single label, Smart wrote that she wants to embrace life fully and avoid regret. She expressed pride in her body for carrying her through difficult experiences, including the birth of her three children, and refused to feel ashamed of trying something new.
Fans flooded the comments with support, praising her dedication and the healing power of reclaiming her body. Smart concluded by encouraging others to pursue new experiences and happiness.
