Elizabeth Smart says her bodybuilding journey has done more than change her routine in the gym — it has also supported her emotionally. In an interview with E! News, the activist said lifting heavy, focusing on protein and working with a coach all helped her stay motivated and accountable.
Smart said having honest feedback from a coach made a real difference, especially when check-ins showed she had a difficult week. She said the process reminded her to keep going and repeat a phrase that has become important to her: “I can do hard things.”
The 38-year-old said she now uses that same message with her three children, telling them every day that they can do hard things. Smart shares her children with husband Matthew Gilmour.
Smart, who was kidnapped and held captive for nine months as a teenager in 2002, said bodybuilding has helped her feel more comfortable in her own skin. She said the hobby has helped her let go of shame and embrace her body as something that has carried her through difficult experiences and given her three children.
Smart is also preparing to launch a new iHeartRadio podcast, The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart, on Aug. 17. According to Smart, the podcast will feature survivors sharing their stories and focus on resilience, hope and inner strength.
