on Instagram<\/a> from a recent bodybuilding competition. In it, she flexes her toned muscles while posing in a bikini and heels.<\/p>\nAlongside the picture, she shared an empowering message about celebrating her body in light of everything she\u2019s been through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I posted the pictures in my [Instagram] 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, \u2018absolutely not! Never in 100 years!\u2019\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
Smart explained that bodybuilding has been a positive experience, both physically and mentally, for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
Smart was just 14 when she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in 2002. She was repeatedly raped and assaulted until police rescued her nine months later.<\/p>\n
Now a married mom of three, she has worked as an advocate for missing persons and sex abuse victims.<\/p>\n
Bodybuilding, she said, has helped her appreciate her body\u2019s strength and resilience.<\/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 she wrote.<\/p>\n
She also said she hesitated for a while to share photos of her new muscular physique because she was \u201ctoo afraid\u201d she would be \u201cjudged\u201d and \u201cnot taken seriously\u201d or \u201csomehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n
After realizing she was experiencing shameful thoughts that are \u201ceerily familiar\u201d to those of survivors, Smart decided to go public with her bodybuilding experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\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 continued.<\/p>\n
\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 she added.<\/p>\n
Smart concluded her post by thanking her coach and others who helped her prepare for the competition.<\/p>\n
She also shared her hope that \u201cwe all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smart\u2019s fans cheered her on in the comments of her post.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnexpected but all I see is a survivor who has taken her power back,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cNow your strength is visible on the outside, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n