Elizabeth Smart Reveals Real Reason She Became a Bodybuilder

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Elizabeth Smart is ready to embrace her body.

I was so touched when the activist I follow finally shared photos from her bodybuilding competition! She’d been a little unsure about posting them, but the incredibly positive reaction from all of us really showed her – and me – why she decided to share this part of her life with the world. It was just heartwarming to see her embrace her passion and feel so supported.

Elizabeth explained to Us Weekly that she’s multifaceted and doesn’t want to be defined by a single label. She also shared that her initial hesitation to speak out stemmed from the same fears that often prevent victims from coming forward.

I’ve been following Elizabeth Smart’s journey for a long time, and I was so moved by what she recently shared. She explained that she chose to do this – to take control and reclaim her narrative – because it’s personally empowering for her. But even more powerfully, she hopes it will encourage other survivors to find their own strength and feel safe enough to come forward and report what happened to them. Seeing her be so brave really inspires me, and I think it could make a huge difference for so many people.

Elizabeth, who was kidnapped in 2002 and endured nine months of physical and sexual abuse before being rescued, understands how her bodybuilding inspires others. However, she also admitted that the exercise has a bit of a self-image component, especially after realizing that her long-distance running was negatively affecting her body.

I really enjoyed running for a long time, but I started to get pain in one of my knees. Especially during my long weekend marathon training runs, the pain became so bad that I’d be completely exhausted afterward and wouldn’t have energy to do anything else all day.

As a mom myself, I totally get it! It’s easy to dream of relaxing, but with my own three – Chloe, James, and Olivia, who are 11, 9, and 7 – I know downtime isn’t always an option. Let’s be real, kids aren’t usually content just lounging around with snacks! They need to move, and that’s what keeps life interesting – and busy!

Plus, bodybuilding has given Elizabeth more agency over her own body.

She explained that she always felt pressure to conform to a certain image, but that bodybuilding has allowed her to feel liberated from those expectations.

Throughout her adventures, she’s been amazed by the incredible capabilities of the human body.

After having three children and years of being on the go, Elizabeth wondered if her body could still transform. Then, witnessing the changes firsthand, she was amazed at how much it actually could.

Like Elizabeth, read on for more notable names who have undergone huge body transformations. 

The Fresh Off the Boat alum used to weigh 300 pounds and lost 130, showcasing his journey on TikTok.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen many people redefine themselves, and Tammy Slaton is a great example. While she’s become well-known from her show 1,000-Lb. Sisters, she was ready to move beyond being just the ‘star of a TV show’ and create a life on her own terms. She didn’t want that label to limit her future.

In an April 2025 episode of her show, the 38-year-old shared that she’s lost around 500 pounds. She explained that she once weighed over 700 pounds, but now weighs 238 pounds.

She had weight-loss surgery in 2022, and her doctor believes it was the best decision for her health.

In October 2024, Dr. Eric Smith told People magazine that Tammy has been consistently dedicated to making lasting, healthy changes to get the most out of her surgery. He explained that he’s stressed the value of small, everyday adjustments for both her continued recovery and overall well-being, and that she’s fully committed to improving her health.

It seems as if every time Jelly Roll hits a red carpet, he’s down a sizable slice of weight.

Singer Jason DeFord, who initially weighed 540 pounds, shared with Pat McAfee in April 2025 on his live show, Big Night Aht, that he was down to 357 pounds. He plans to lose another 100 pounds and celebrate by skydiving with his wife in Sweden!

Okay, so he’s 6’1″ and honestly, seeing how dedicated he is to his craft, he had to get his eating under control. I was listening to him on the Jay Shetty podcast back in October 2024, and he was so real about it. He actually said he truly believes there’s a direct link between being overweight and your mental wellbeing, which makes so much sense! He admitted it’s easy for people to just say ‘stop eating!’ or ‘just exercise,’ but he wished he could have seen food that way. It’s amazing to see how open he is about it, and it’s so inspiring to see his transformation!

Jelly Roll acknowledged that losing weight was still a major challenge, but he was happy to see his new habits making a difference.

He explained that he’s fully committed to improving himself, focusing on healthy habits like staying hydrated, cold water immersion, and eating a balanced diet. He feels like he’s making good progress.

Al Roker wasn’t kidding around with the title of his cookbook Recipes to Live By.

After losing 100 pounds through dedicated effort, the longtime TODAY weatherman truly practices what he preaches. He makes sure to get at least 10,000 steps each day, eats a healthy diet, and exercises regularly.

He shared with People magazine in June 2025 that his guiding principle is ‘something is better than nothing.’ While some might aim for intense fitness goals like marathons or weightlifting, he believes most people simply want to be fit enough to enjoy a better quality of life.

Al Roker had gastric bypass surgery in 2002 as a starting point for getting in shape, but he admits there’s no quick or easy fix.

Surgery is “not the end,” he advised. “You’re still going to have to put in the work.” 

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, previously famous for his role in the “tush push” play, has recently been gaining attention for his impressive physique.

The former NFL player was always in good shape during his 13 years in the league, but he’s currently about 25 pounds lighter than his playing weight. He recently shared at a golf tournament in Philadelphia that he now weighs around 270 pounds, down from his 295-pound playing weight.

Kelce explained that his goal weight of 250 to 260 pounds is part of his plan for life after football. He told GQ in June 2024 that he wants to maintain a strong physique without needing to have highly defined abs, and still feel good about how he looks.

For the father of four daughters, whose wife is Kylie Kelce, being able to keep up with his children was his biggest priority.

At 277 pounds, he said he’s already feeling relief in his back and knees, and hopes losing another 20 pounds will make it even easier to play with his kids.

Okay, so Rosie O’Donnell moving to Ireland with her family? It wasn’t just about getting a fresh start, you know? It felt like so much more than just a change of location. I’ve been following her for ages, and this move…it felt huge. Like she really needed this, and Ireland was the answer. I’m totally obsessed with seeing how she’s settling in!

In a TikTok video posted in March 2025, she revealed she had lost weight, attributing it to Mounjaro, a medication she takes for diabetes. She explained that weight loss is a common side effect of the drug.

The former cohost of View recently went shopping in Dublin for clothes that fit better. She explained, “I’ve always struggled with my weight, and now that I’ve gone down to a size large from an XL or 2XL, it feels really surprising.”

In 2022, Jazz Jennings began focusing on her health with a diet and exercise plan. Two years later, she shared on Instagram that she was prioritizing self-care after a long period of neglecting her well-being. She admitted she hadn’t been mindful of her eating habits, but expressed pride in her weight loss and how much more confident she feels.

In August 2024, Jazz Jennings, star of I Am Jazz, revealed she had lost nearly 100 pounds and expressed how proud she was of her journey.

It turns out Christopher Schwarzenegger is a chip off the ol’ muscly block.

As a lifestyle observer, I’ve noticed a real transformation with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s youngest son. He’s been quietly working on himself, and it’s amazing to see! He recently lost 30 pounds and is now stepping back into the spotlight, and I’m excited to see what he does next.

He explained at the first Beacher Vitality Happy & Healthy Summit in May 2025 that achieving his results wasn’t quick, and involved a lot of experimentation. He said that simply cutting out bread had a significant impact, but even now, when he compares old and new photos, he doesn’t feel like he’s reached his goal.

Meanwhile, Christopher did not let a certain seven-time Mr. Olympia in on his plan.

In a June 2025 interview with The Times, Arnold explained he never directly told his son he needed to lose weight. Instead, they gradually incorporated healthy foods into his diet and encouraged him to go to the gym. Eventually, his son independently decided he wanted to get in shape, and he succeeded. Arnold was thrilled with his son’s self-discipline and motivation, believing it had to come from within—and it did.

Chrissy Metz jokes that she only runs when she has to, but she loves strength training. Working out has been a key part of her 100-pound weight loss journey.

In an April 2025 interview with DailyMail.com, the former This Is Us star explained that her main goal is to age well and stay strong, and that drives all of her choices.

To Metz, aging gracefully means “staying strong and flexible,” so she tries to be active every day.

John Goodman was known for his large build when he played Dan Conner on the show Roseanne in the 1990s; he even joked with David Letterman in 2010 that he once weighed close to 400 pounds. However, by the time The Conners began in 2018, the character—and Goodman himself—had made some healthier changes.

In 2007, Goodman stopped drinking, which was the beginning of his journey to a healthier lifestyle. He enjoyed staying active through boxing and taking his dogs for walks.

I was so impressed when I read this years ago! He told People magazine back in 2010 that he was working really hard – he was sweating, but staying sane! He’d lost around 100 pounds by exercising six days a week and completely cutting out sugar. It was seriously inspiring to see his dedication.

Overall, the 6-foot-2 actor has lost about 200 pounds since he was at his peak weight.

In a 2016 interview with ABC News, Goodman explained he simply became exhausted with his own image. He described feeling a strong aversion to even looking at himself – ‘You’re shaving and you don’t want to face yourself,’ he said – and warned that this self-disgust could become harmful.

Oprah Winfrey has been sharing the highs and lows of her weight loss journey for decades.

From famously squeezing into skinny jeans and wheeling out 67 pounds of fat on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1988, to investing in WeightWatchers in 2015, Oprah has consistently used her influence to keep the discussion about weight and wellness alive.

Addressing a current topic of discussion, Oprah shared in March 2024 during her special, Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution, that she was using medication in addition to eating smaller meals and exercising to manage her weight.

“It’s not just one thing,” she said of her secret to staying fit, “it’s multiple things.”

Winfrey shared that her aim with the special was to reduce the shame and judgment surrounding weight, encouraging people to stop criticizing others – and themselves – for their weight or choices about losing it.

Lizzo simply wanted to feel better from head to toe.

In a May 2023 TikTok video, the singer explained that she began exercising not to change her body, but to improve her mental well-being. She wanted to feel better about herself and overcome feelings of shame and self-disgust, and she found that exercise helped her shift her mindset.

In a TikTok video from January 2025, she shared that she was working on losing weight, explaining that her aim was to improve her overall health and well-being.

Okay, so Lizzo said something so powerful and it’s stuck with me. She basically said that even when she reaches her goals, she knows she won’t be ‘skinny’ by anyone’s standards. The BMI will still probably categorize her as morbidly obese, and honestly, those little trolls online will still try to bring her down with their rude comments about her body. But you know what? She said she’ll be happy anyway! It’s like, she’s doing this for herself, not to please anyone else, and that’s everything. I’m obsessed with that message!

Just a moment later, the video cut to Lizzo happily announcing that her body fat percentage had decreased by 16% and her BMI had dropped by 10.5 points.

She always inspires me, and she reminded me again that I truly believe I can achieve anything I put my heart into—absolutely anything! It’s gotten me thinking, actually, that it’s time for me to start dreaming up some new goals and challenges for myself.

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2026-05-21 01:21