Elizabeth Smart on Bodybuilding: 'I Can Be More Than Just One Thing'

Key facts

• Elizabeth Smart, 38, competed in her fourth bodybuilding competition and placed first in her category.
• She was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in June 2002 at age 14 and rescued after nine months.
• Smart said she felt 'terrified' and 'vulnerable' standing on stage in a bikini for her first competition.
• She described bodybuilding as 'a celebration' of her body, which carried her through 'every worst day'.
• Smart's abductors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, were convicted; Mitchell is serving life, Barzee was released in 2018 and rearrested in 2025.
• She has three children and lives in Utah with her husband.
• Smart founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and advocates against sexual violence.
• She posted a photo of her competition on Instagram on April 21, shocking many followers.

A Terrifying Debut on Stage

Elizabeth Smart, who survived a harrowing abduction and sexual abuse as a teenager, said her first bodybuilding competition was terrifying. Standing on stage in a bikini, she felt vulnerable and was shaking. 'I don't think I wore a bikini until I was on my honeymoon,' she told CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King on May 4. 'So stepping up on stage in a bikini felt like the most vulnerable thing I could possibly do.' During the routine, her ring got stuck in her long mermaid hair extensions, and she had to rip it out. The mishap added to the anxiety of an already nerve-wracking experience. Despite the fear, Smart placed first in her category in her fourth competition, a milestone she shared on Instagram on April 21.

From Modest Upbringing to Bodybuilding Stage

Smart's modest upbringing made the showmanship of bodybuilding particularly challenging. She had never worn a bikini until her honeymoon, and the sport's revealing attire and performance elements were foreign to her. 'I grew up always just being so modest,' she said. The transition was stark, but Smart embraced it as a personal challenge. Her journey into bodybuilding began after years of marathon training took a toll on her knees. A trainer and current coach reached out, and Smart, seeking a new goal, decided to try bodybuilding. She trained diligently, transforming her physique and mindset.

A Celebration of the Body

Smart described bodybuilding as 'a celebration' of her body, which has carried her through every worst day and bad experience. She noted that she has had three children, and her body has remained resilient. 'It's still carried me through life, and I'm so grateful to my body for bringing me to where I am today,' she said. In her advocacy work, Smart has met many victims of sexual abuse and violence who feel betrayed by their bodies, leading to self-harm and eating disorders. For her, bodybuilding became a way to reclaim her body and feel proud. 'I shouldn't be ashamed that I've taken care of it and work to build it strong,' she added. 'And I'm very proud of myself.'

Liberation and Multifaceted Identity

Smart said she feels 'almost liberated to a degree' by revealing her bodybuilding journey. For years, she wanted to be taken seriously and respected as an advocate. Now, she can embrace multiple identities. 'I can be a bodybuilder. I can feel beautiful or sexy, and I can still be an advocate for women and children against sexual violence,' she said. She acknowledged that her Instagram post likely shocked many followers, but she hopes it inspires others to pursue new experiences. 'I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness,' she wrote.

Background: A Publicized Kidnapping Case

Smart's kidnapping case is one of the most publicized in American history. At 14, she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2002. She spent nine months in captivity, during which she was sexually abused by Brian David Mitchell, a man her family had hired for odd jobs. Mitchell and his then-wife, Wanda Barzee, were captured about 18 miles from Smart's home. Mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping and transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity and is serving a life sentence. Barzee pleaded guilty in 2009 but was released in 2018. She was rearrested in 2025 for visiting multiple parks, violating her sex offender status.

Advocacy and Personal Growth

Since her rescue, Smart has become a prominent child safety advocate, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and writing about her experiences. She lives in Utah with her husband and three children. Her bodybuilding journey adds a new dimension to her public persona, demonstrating resilience and self-acceptance. Smart emphasized that her body has carried her through every worst day, and she is grateful for its strength. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage others to find their own paths to healing and self-celebration.

The bottom line

• Elizabeth Smart placed first in her fourth bodybuilding competition, marking a significant personal achievement.
• She described the experience as terrifying yet liberating, helping her reclaim her body after trauma.
• Smart's modest upbringing made the transition to bodybuilding challenging, but she embraced it as a celebration.
• She advocates for survivors of sexual violence and uses her platform to show that one can be both an advocate and feel beautiful.
• Her kidnapping case remains one of the most publicized in U.S. history, with her abductors serving time or under supervision.
• Smart encourages others to pursue new goals and find happiness, regardless of past experiences.