Elizabeth Smart Talks About Beginning her Bodybuilding Journey, her Body Transformation and Inner and Outer Strength.
Elizabeth Smart’s bodybuilding transformation has continued to generate buzz after new interviews revealed more details about the training and discipline behind her NPC Fit Model competition debut. The 38-year-old child safety advocate and abduction survivor recently discussed the journey in a lengthy ET interview, while her coach Robyn Maher also opened up during an interview with Extra about how the transformation came together.
According to both Smart and Maher, this was not treated like a celebrity fitness challenge or quick makeover. Instead, it was approached like a legitimate bodybuilding contest prep, with months of structured training, strict nutrition, and consistent cardio work leading into competition day.
Maher explained that Smart already had a strong athletic foundation thanks to years of endurance running and marathon training, which helped tremendously when transitioning into bodybuilding-style workouts. She especially praised Smart’s leg strength and consistency throughout prep.
Workout Details Revealed
- Weight training 5-6 days per week
- Training split organized by muscle groups
- Regular treadmill cardio sessions
- Heavy emphasis on lower-body training
- Dumbbell-focused workouts
- Bench-based exercises
- Squats
Both stressed that the goal was building symmetry and conditioning for the NPC Fit Model division rather than extreme size.
Elizabeth Smart Diet and Contest Prep Details
- Followed a strict healthy meal plan throughout prep
- Focused heavily on consistency and discipline
- Nutrition was described as a major part of the transformation
- Maintained contest-prep conditioning leading into the show
Smart ultimately impressed during last month during the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City, earning:
- 1st place in Fit Model Novice
- 2nd place in Fit Model Open
- 3rd place in Fit Model Masters 35+
One of the biggest themes throughout both interviews was how seriously Smart approached the process. Maher repeatedly emphasized that the results were earned through months of hard work and steady improvement, while Smart herself described bodybuilding prep as both mentally and physically demanding.
Elizabeth Smart: Biggest Misconception of Bodybuilding is that it’s “Sexual”
Elizabeth Smart told ET she was hesitant to begin her bodybuilding journey given her extremely modest Mormon background, and out of fear it would hurt her work as an advocate for all survivors. But she’s discovered the biggest misconception of the sport is that it is sexual in nature:
“It is NOT [sexual]…Everyone who I’ve met backstage is an example of discipline and hard work and dedication and so kind… it is not sexual in my opinion at all.”
The transformation has surprised many fans online, especially given Smart’s public image over the years, but the interviews make clear that this was the product of structured training, disciplined nutrition, and a true commitment to the bodybuilding lifestyle.
Featured image via Instagram @elizabeth_smart_official and ET
