Elizabeth Smart has spoken out after finishing last in both classes she entered at a major bodybuilding championship in Pittsburgh.
Smart, 38, took to Instagram on Saturday to share her reflections on competing at the North American Championships, posting a video that showed her onstage in a metallic blue bikini. The child safety activist and ABC News commentator made clear that placement was never the point for her.
“I’ve always said ‘just stepping on stage is a win for me!’ And I completely stand by that,” she wrote on Instagram. “I competed in two classes: ‘Masters 35+,’ which requires you to be 35 or older, and ‘Open Class D,’ which is height-based. I placed at the bottom of both classes.”
Smart emphasized the community and personal growth she found in the experience rather than any disappointment with the results. She credited her coach, Robyn Maher, and noted she shared the stage with her best friend, Megan Holsomback, while surrounded by supporters in the audience.
“Regardless of where I placed, I loved the whole experience, had an amazing coach (@slcrobynmaher), got to step onstage with my best friend (@mpholsombake), and had the best support squad in the audience I could ask for,” she wrote on Instagram.
Smart also highlighted her own development as a competitor, noting tangible improvements since her previous appearances.
“I brought a better physique and stage presence than at my previous shows, and I’m so proud of myself for the hard work, discipline, and bravery it takes me to compete,” she shared.
She closed her post with a rallying message to her followers: “So here’s to pursuing goals and not giving up!”
Smart’s entry into competitive bodybuilding first became public knowledge in April, when she revealed her participation in the sport and showed off her trained physique. That debut proved immediately successful at the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City, where she won first place in the Fit Model Novice category. She added a second-place finish in the Fit Model category and third place in Fit Model Masters 35+ at the same event.
Her training regimen involves weight training five to six days per week paired with disciplined nutrition.
Smart’s public life has long intersected with themes of survival and reclaiming agency. In June 2002, at age 14, she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City and held captive for nine months before police rescued her. She subsequently became a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual violence and child safety, and in 2011 she established the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to advance work against sexual violence through hope and empowerment.
The North American Championships represented a different kind of challenge for Smart, one she framed explicitly as being about personal courage rather than competitive standing. Her Instagram post on Saturday made clear she intends to continue competing despite the outcome in Pittsburgh.
“Another show for the books! Had such a blast,” she wrote.
Smart’s foundation continues its advocacy work, and she maintains her role as an ABC News commentator alongside her athletic pursuits.