Elizabeth Smart Wins First Place in Bodybuilding Competition
Elizabeth Smart has taken first place in a bodybuilding competition.
The child safety advocate, 38, who rose to notoriety at just 14 years old when she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City bedroom, took the top honors at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness competition in the Fit Model Novice Category, PEOPLE reported. She also won second place in the Fit Model category and ranked third in Fit Model Masters 35+.
Smart's coach, fitness and nutrition expert Robyn Maher, took to her Instagram stories to honor Smart, posting a photo of the rising bodybuilding star in a blue bikini from the side.
"So proud of my client who killed it on stage the other day," Maher wrote. "Her 4th competition and she isn't stopping! New goals have been set and a plan is in place. Proud of you, Elizabeth!"
Opening Up About Her Bodybuilding Career
Smart first opened up about her decision to pursue bodybuilding on Tuesday in a candid Instagram post, Parade previously reported. Sharing a photo of herself onstage at the same event, Smart spoke about how she realized many fans were probably shocked by the image.
"When I posted the pictures in my story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you, and I understand the shock because had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago I would have said, 'absolutely not! Never in 100 years!' This is actually the fourth competition I've done, but I was too afraid to post it before. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors. Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors. I think it's easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that's not me nor do I think it's any of us we are more than just one topic, one idea, one label. I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we don't know what tomorrow brings."
Smart went on to say that she doesn't want to get to the end of her life and feel any regret, which is why she has decided to go forward and try whatever she wants. She also noted that her body has carried her through horrific experiences, subtly referring to the horrible nine months she spent suffering abuse after being kidnapped. She was rescued by police and went on to become an activist and advocate for other survivors.
"This was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up. I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it. My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it's created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it. I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can. I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness," she concluded.
Related: Elizabeth Smart Shocks Fans With Bodybuilding Competition Reveal: See Her Latest Photos
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:30 AM.