Elizabeth Smart Finds Empowerment Through Bodybuilding After Trauma
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Elizabeth Smart, who survived a nine-month kidnapping and sexual assault as a teenager, has found strength and healing through bodybuilding. A recent study supports the link between resistance training and reduced PTSD symptoms. Smart is now considering competing in a bodybuilding event for trauma survivors.
Facts First
- Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped at age 14 and held captive for nine months in 2002.
- She has found empowerment through strength training, which she started about one and a half years ago.
- A 2023 study found resistance training reduces PTSD symptoms and helps survivors rebuild confidence and feel safer.
- Smart trains five days a week and tracks her nutrition as part of her regimen.
- She is considering an all-female bodybuilding competition in Nashville that recognizes women who have survived trauma.
What Happened
Elizabeth Smart, a 38-year-old advocate for victims of sexual violence, was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City bedroom in 2002 at age 14. She was held captive for nine months, during which she was repeatedly sexually assaulted. She was rescued in 2003. Smart has since authored a book titled 'Detours' and is a mother of three. Approximately one and a half years ago, she began strength training, which has become a significant part of her life.
Why this Matters to You
This story illustrates a tangible path to healing that may be relevant to you or someone you know who has experienced trauma. The 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology provides evidence that activities like weight lifting are linked to reduced PTSD symptoms and improved emotional well-being. For survivors, this form of exercise could offer a way to rebuild confidence and regain a sense of control over their bodies.
What's Next
Smart is considering participating in an all-female bodybuilding competition in Nashville later this year that specifically recognizes women who have survived trauma. Her continued advocacy and public sharing of her healing journey may help destigmatize discussions around trauma recovery and highlight the value of physical empowerment.