\nElizabeth Smart and her family visited the White House in 2003 after Smart’s story went public. Pictured here with her father, Ed Smart, and former U.S. President George W. Bush in an event where President Bush signed new child safety measures into law.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019t know what tomorrow brings,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
Adding, \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smart noted that she was proud of her body, pushing and challenging herself to reach her incredible competition physique.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it\u2019s 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,\u201d Smart wrote.<\/p>\n
She continued, \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/div>
\nElizabeth Smart had to testify multiple times against her kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell. Pictured here at 23, leaving the Federal Court in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November, 2010.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The post has gained over 100,000 likes and thousands of comments overnight, praising Smart as \u201cbrilliant\u201d and \u201camazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnexpected, but all I see is a survivor who has taken her power back. I see a strong woman who wouldn\u2019t be broken when the most evil tried to break you as a child. I see strength,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/div>
\n\n
Instagram\/Elizabeth Smart<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Another one added, \u201cNow your strength is visible on the outside, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\n
\n
Recommended<\/p>\n
\n
AnnualSave 48%<\/span><\/h3>\n\n
$35<\/span>Year One<\/span><\/p>\nthen $59.99 yearly<\/span><\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nDiscounted annual rate<\/span><\/li>\nAccess to all articles (web + app)<\/span><\/li>\nAd-free exclusive newsletters<\/span><\/li>\nCommenting Access<\/span><\/li>\nDaily crossword<\/span><\/li>\nSneak peek of launches & events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
Monthly<\/h3>\n\n
$1<\/span>Welcome Offer<\/span><\/p>\nthen $5.99 monthly<\/span><\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nAccess to all articles (web + app)<\/span><\/li>\nAd-free exclusive newsletters<\/span><\/li>\nCommenting Access<\/span><\/li>\nDaily crossword<\/span><\/li>\nSneak peek of launches & events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
Ad-Free<\/h3>\n\n
$99<\/span>Year One<\/span><\/p>\nthen $119.99 yearly<\/span><\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nPremium ad-free reading<\/span><\/li>\nAccess to all articles (web + app)<\/span><\/li>\nAd-free exclusive newsletters<\/span><\/li>\nCommenting Access<\/span><\/li>\nDaily crossword<\/span><\/li>\nSneak peek of launches & events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Looks like you already have a subscription!<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
You’re all set!<\/h2>\n Thanks for subscribing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/g><\/svg>Continue with Google<\/button><\/g><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg>Continue with Facebook<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/astro-island> <\/p>\n\n
Register below to read this article for free<\/em> or subscribe to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.<\/h2>\n\n
Subscribe<\/button>Register<\/button><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Recommended<\/p>\n
\n
AnnualSave 48%<\/span><\/h3>\n\n
$35<\/span>Year One<\/span><\/p>\nthen $59.99 yearly<\/span><\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nDiscounted annual rate<\/span><\/li>\nAccess to all articles (web + app)<\/span><\/li>\nAd-free exclusive newsletters<\/span><\/li>\nCommenting Access<\/span><\/li>\nDaily crossword<\/span><\/li>\nSneak peek of launches & events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
Monthly<\/h3>\n\n
$1<\/span>Welcome Offer<\/span><\/p>\nthen $5.99 monthly<\/span><\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nAccess to all articles (web + app)<\/span><\/li>\nAd-free exclusive newsletters<\/span><\/li>\nCommenting Access<\/span><\/li>\nDaily crossword<\/span><\/li>\nSneak peek of launches & events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nSelect<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
Ad-Free<\/h3>\n\n
$99<\/span>Year One<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/media.thedailybeast.com\/resizer\/v2\/KSRCUGNOMRF5TM4TPI6YVQPJTA.JPG?auth=c5ee93bcd91267a20788854c1a20ae8576cb3f5482d4efc7c57c43d64e1e0797&width=800&height=450&smart=true\")
<\/div>