ELIZABETH Smart has won her fourth bodybuilding competition after wowing fans with her super toned physique.
The 38-year-old child safety advocate competed in the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, taking first place in the Novice Fit Model category.
She also performed well in other categories she competed in, including 2nd place in the Fit Model category and 3rd place in the Fit Model Masters 35+ category.
Smart posted a photo on Instagram on Tuesday of herself on stage at the competition wearing a blue bikini and transparent heels. The mother-of-three let her long blonde hair down and posed to show off her toned muscles.
Smart, a kidnapping survivor, admitted that she was previously too scared to post about competing in bodybuilding competitions.
“[I was]worried that I wouldn’t be valued, that I wouldn’t be taken seriously, that in some way people would think I wasn’t worthy of continuing to work as an advocate for all survivors, or that I wasn’t worthy right now,” she explained in the caption. “And last weekend I realized how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are to so many survivors.”
Smart said she’s proud of her body and everything it’s been through.
“This was a big change for me. It was tough, but it pushed me and challenged me to not give up,” she said of her fitness journey. “I’m so proud of myself doing this. I’m so proud of my body and I want to celebrate it.”
“My body has carried me through every bad day, every hellish experience. It has given birth to and raised three beautiful children. My body has carried me through every challenge that life has to offer, and I am not ashamed of it,” she continued.
Smart said she “refused to be embarrassed” about trying something new and embracing her life to the fullest.
“I can only hope that we all find the courage to pursue new experiences, goals, personal improvement, and most importantly, happiness,” she concluded.
The support from her followers, including celebrities, has been overwhelmingly positive.
Kristin Chenoweth wrote, “You’re strong and beautiful 💪❤️.
Debbie Gibson commented, “Congratulations!!! What a great boost to take on a new field! I’m rooting for you! 💪❤️.”
Fellow kidnapping survivor Carla Robinson Chamberlain wrote, “I will always support the sentiment that knowing what an abused body is capable of when it chooses to be is incredibly healing. There are so many things to be proud of, but this is just one thing to add to the list. 🫶.”
Smart made headlines in 2002 when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City bedroom at the age of 14. She was rescued by police nine months later and went on to become an advocate for sexual assault victims and a child safety activist.
She founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011 to bring hope, empowerment, and change in the fight against sexual violence.
