In April, Elizabeth Smart, 38, won first place in her category at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. This marked her fourth competition, having started a year earlier at the same event. Despite being a public figure, she kept her bodybuilding private, competing under her married name, Elizabeth Gilmour, and sharing no content about it.
After her win, a friend asked to post about it on Instagram. Smart hesitated at first but eventually agreed. The response was mixed, with some even suggesting the photo was AI-generated. She later posted the image herself with a caption embracing new experiences and encouraging others to find courage.
Early Life and Trauma
Smart first entered the public eye in June 2002 when she was kidnapped at knifepoint from her home by Brian David Mitchell. She endured nine months of horrific abuse before being rescued in March 2003. In the following decades, she rebuilt her life, earning a music degree, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to combat sexual violence, and writing a memoir.
Relationship with Body and Exercise
Smart describes having a healthy relationship with her body. She started running marathons after having children but found it led to weight gain and knee pain. Seeking a change, she turned to bodybuilding after a friend introduced her to the Fit Model division, which is more attainable for natural athletes.
Her first workouts were painful, but she appreciated the efficiency—strength training takes only 45 minutes compared to hours of running. Her favorite exercise is the Bulgarian split squat, while she dislikes hip thrusts. She emphasizes that the hardest part is the diet, requiring discipline and a good coach.
Public Sharing and Advocacy
Smart was initially reluctant to share her bodybuilding journey, fearing it might detract from her advocacy work. She realized this fear mirrored the challenges victims face in coming forward. She says, “My body never betrayed me. It deserves to be celebrated.” She hopes her openness inspires others to embrace new experiences and heal.
Smart now sees bodybuilding as another level of healing, showing that she is more than just an advocate—she is a mother, sister, friend, and bodybuilder who enjoys pizza and croissants.
