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Elizabeth Smart<\/strong><\/a> is continuing to take back her power after being abducted as a teen<\/a> \u2014 but her latest source of self-love may seem a bit unconventional to some.<\/p>\n Smart, 38, showed off her chiseled abs and bikini body in honor of her new passion for body building via Instagram<\/a> on Tuesday, April 21. The photo surprised some of Smart\u2019s social media followers, but the survivor is no longer worried about the criticism.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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, \u2018Absolutely not! Never in 100 years!\u2019\u201d Smart wrote via Instagram, noting that although the toned bikini snap is from her fourth competition, she was \u201ctoo afraid to post it before.\u201d<\/p>\n The Detours<\/em> author confessed she was \u201cworried 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.\u201d<\/p>\n How Many Siblings Does Elizabeth Smart Have? Meet the Kidnapping Survivor\u2019s 4 Brothers and 1 Sister<\/a><\/p>\n Smart noted that all of a sudden it \u201cstruck\u201d her \u201chow eerily familiar these feelings<\/a> and thoughts are for too many survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n After that ah-ha moment, Smart decided to post the competition photo \u2014 which shows off her abs, lean arms and muscular legs in a bathing suit while posing for the judges \u2014 as a way to fight back against the online noise.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that\u2019s not me nor do I think it\u2019s any of us. We are more than just one topic, one idea, one label,\u201d Smart explained. \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<\/p>\n She noted that she doesn\u2019t want to \u201clook back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all that I want to do and try\u201d out of fear.<\/p>\n When it comes to why she chose bodybuilding, Smart told her followers the difficulty level played a big part.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up,\u201d she wrote. \u201cI am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Who Are Elizabeth Smart\u2019s Parents? Meet Dad Ed Smart and Mom Lois Smart 2 Decades After Kidnapping<\/a><\/p>\n Smart pointed out that her body has \u201ccarried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience\u201d as well as the creation and nurturing of her three \u201cbeautiful children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy 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 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 Elizabeth Smart to Share New Insights About Abduction in Netflix\u2019s \u2018Kidnapped\u2019 Documentary: Details<\/a><\/p>\n Smart\u2019s bodybuilding venture is her latest way to live life to the fullest since she was kidnapped from her bedroom<\/a> in June 2002 when she was 14 years old. After a little more than nine months of captivity<\/a>, during which time she was subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse, police rescued Smart in March 2003.<\/p>\n She has since become an advocate for survivors, told her story publicly in two books and opened up about the horror she endured in Netflix\u2019s 2026 documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI want survivors to know it\u2019s not their fault,\u201d Smart told People<\/em><\/a> in January. \u201cThey don\u2019t need to be embarrassed and they don\u2019t need to carry this burden. They shouldn\u2019t carry it at all, but if they are going to carry it, they\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline<\/a> at 1-800-422-4453.<\/em><\/p>\n If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline<\/a> at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n