Elizabeth Smart, the renowned activist and survivor, is experiencing a profound sense of well-being, attributing a significant portion of this transformation to her recent foray into bodybuilding. Since publicly sharing her bodybuilding journey in April, Smart has discovered that the guidance she received has resonated far beyond the physical realm, offering substantial emotional benefits as well.
"It’s lifting heavy, it’s prioritizing protein, and then for me, it was really important to have a coach that was there to help me," Smart exclusively shared with E! News. "Having honest feedback and motivation, but at the same time being like, ‘Hey, I notice that this week’s check-in it kind of looks like maybe you had a hard week or you slid back a little bit. Tell me what’s going on. Let’s see if we can work through this and come back better next week.’" This holistic approach, combining dedicated coaching with self-affirmation, has been instrumental in her progress.
Smart emphasized the impact of this consistent reinforcement, adding, "I feel like all of those things have helped make a difference. And then just constantly reminding myself that I can do hard things." This mantra has become more than just a personal reminder; it serves as a guiding principle for her and a powerful message she imparts to her three children with husband Matthew Gilmour. "I think I tell my kids that every day, ‘You can do hard things.’"
The profound impact of this philosophy is particularly poignant given Smart’s traumatic past. At the age of 14 in 2002, she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home and held captive for nine harrowing months. Her survival and subsequent advocacy have made her a symbol of resilience. Now, as a mother of three, she finds a newfound comfort and confidence in her own skin, a direct result of her bodybuilding pursuits.
"I really have fallen in love with it because I just feel like it’s an outer reflection of how I have felt about my body," she explained of her passion for the sport. "I am so grateful to my body." This deep sense of gratitude stems from her body’s capacity to endure immense hardship and emerge stronger. "It really has carried me through so much, and I feel like it’s protected my soul, and it’s protected my heart, and it’s given me three beautiful children," Smart articulated. "It’s brought me through every worst day of my life and so now I want to celebrate it."
A Journey of Healing and Self-Acceptance
The bodybuilding process has emerged as a significant component of Smart’s ongoing healing journey, offering a tangible way to process the enduring effects of her past experiences. "It’s taught me to let go of the shame that I felt after everything that I experienced," she confided. "It taught me that my body is beautiful, and I don’t need to be ashamed of it. I can embrace it." This embrace of her physical self is a powerful testament to her personal growth and her determination to reclaim her narrative.
This sentiment of self-acceptance and empowerment is also a core theme of Smart’s new iHeartRadio podcast, The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart, which launched on August 17th. The podcast aims to amplify the voices of other survivors, offering a platform for them to share their experiences and the lessons they have learned. "It is with the survivors—it’s them sharing their stories and what they’ve learned," Smart explained. "It’s about resilience and hope and finding the inner strength to keep going when everything is against them."
The Unfolding of the Elizabeth Smart Case: A Timeline of Trauma and Investigation
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart on June 5, 2002, from her family’s Salt Lake City home marked the beginning of a national search and a complex investigation that captivated the public’s attention. The details of the case, as revealed through various accounts and documentaries, paint a stark picture of the challenges faced by law enforcement and the immense pain endured by the Smart family.
June 5, 2002: Elizabeth Smart, aged 14, is abducted from her bedroom. The circumstances of the abduction immediately raised questions, as the alarm system was not activated, and the entry point—an open kitchen window with a chair propped outside—prompted speculation about whether it was the actual point of entry or a staged scene.
Initial Investigation and Family Scrutiny: In the immediate aftermath, investigators, led by figures like police captain Cory Lyman, were compelled to consider all possibilities, including the involvement of family members, a statistical likelihood in such crimes. This led to intensive interviews and the seizure of 12 computers from the Smart family’s residence. Despite thorough examination, no incriminating evidence was found on the family’s devices, and Ed Smart, Elizabeth’s father, passed a polygraph test, leading to the eventual clearance of all relatives.
The Role of Family Members: The intense media scrutiny and the pressure of the investigation placed significant emotional burdens on the Smart family. Ed Smart recounted the overwhelming experience of being a potential suspect, leading to a period where he was admitted to a psychiatric ward for his emotional distress. Elizabeth’s uncle, Tom Smart, also became a public face of the investigation, his initial candid interviews later acknowledged as potentially misconstrued due to his exhaustion and emotional state.
False Leads and Devastating Discoveries: The search for Elizabeth was fraught with false hopes and profound sorrow. At one point, the discovery of a girl’s remains, burnt beyond recognition, forced investigators to alert the Smarts to the possibility that they belonged to their daughter. This agonizing period underscored the desperate measures taken and the emotional toll on the family.
Mary Katherine Smart’s Crucial Testimony: Elizabeth’s younger sister, Mary Katherine, the sole witness to the abduction, played a pivotal role. Interviewed repeatedly, she was isolated to preserve her memory. In a moment of clarity months later, she recalled the name "Emmanuel," a pseudonym used by Brian David Mitchell, a drifter who had previously done odd jobs for the Smart family.
The Investigation into Brian David Mitchell: While the Smart family believed Mary Katherine’s recollection was a breakthrough, law enforcement initially expressed skepticism, as "Emmanuel" had not been a prior person of interest. Despite police recommendations to withhold information, the Smart family held a press conference, sharing the sketch and name, which, coupled with a tip from Mitchell’s own family, proved instrumental in his identification.
Richard Ricci: A Suspect and a Dead End: Richard Ricci, a contractor who had worked at the Smart home, was arrested on an unrelated parole violation and later charged with burglary after some of Lois Smart’s jewelry was found in his possession. He became a prime suspect, but his denials and subsequent death from a brain aneurysm in jail on August 27, 2002, presented a significant setback, leaving investigators at a "dead end."
The Rescue and Identification: On March 12, 2003, Brian David Mitchell was recognized boarding a bus in Sandy, Utah, with Elizabeth and his wife, Wanda Barzee. The rescue, facilitated by the Smart family’s decision to release information against police advice, brought an end to Elizabeth’s 279 days of captivity. Even at the moment of rescue, Elizabeth, terrified and conditioned by her captors, initially responded to police with veiled answers, only confirming her identity when directly urged by a detective.
The Aftermath and the Path Forward
Brian David Mitchell was found guilty of kidnapping and transporting a minor for sexual activity and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Wanda Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping and related charges and was sentenced to 15 years. Despite objections from the Smart family, Barzee was released in September 2018 but has since faced further legal issues related to sex offender registry requirements.
Elizabeth Smart, a survivor who has transformed her trauma into a platform for advocacy, continues to inspire with her resilience. Her involvement in bodybuilding is not merely a physical pursuit but a profound act of self-love and empowerment. By embracing her body and its capacity for strength, she is not only celebrating her own survival but also demonstrating the power of resilience and the profound impact of finding one’s inner strength in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her story, and the stories she now shares on her podcast, serve as a beacon of hope for survivors everywhere, emphasizing that even after the darkest of times, a path towards healing and self-acceptance is possible.
