Elizabeth Smart has revealed a dramatic new chapter in her life, stunning fans with bodybuilding competition photos more than two decades after surviving her infamous abduction.

The 38-year-old child safety advocate shared images of herself posing onstage in a navy bikini and heels, confirming she has quietly been competing - and winning - in bodybuilding contests.

Smart posted the photos on Instagram, telling followers the appearance came during her fourth competition, held over the weekend in Salt Lake City.

'When I posted the pictures in my story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you, and I understand the shock because had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago I would have said, 'absolutely not! Never in 100 years!' she wrote.

The mother of three said she had kept her involvement in the sport private until now, admitting she feared how it might be perceived.

'This is actually the fourth competition I've done, but I was too afraid to post it before. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors,' she explained.

Smart said the realization that those fears mirrored what many survivors experience pushed her to finally go public.

'Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors,' she wrote.

Her transformation has been both physical and deeply personal.

'This was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up,' she shared. 'I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.'

She added that her body represents survival - not just strength.

'My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it's created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it,' she wrote.

'I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can.'

Smart also reflected on how her perspective has evolved over time, saying she no longer wants to be defined by a single identity.

'I think it's easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that's not me nor do I think it's any of us we are more than just one topic, one idea, one label,' she wrote.

'I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we don't know what tomorrow brings.'

'And I don't want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.'

The competition, the Wasatch Warrior event in Salt Lake City, marked another milestone in her journey. 

Smart placed first in the novice category, third in the Masters 35+ division and second in Class D.

Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in June 2002. She was held captive for nine months before being rescued in March 2003.

In the years since, she has become one of the most prominent advocates for child safety and survivors of sexual violence, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and speaking publicly about her experiences.

She revisited her case earlier this year in the Netflix documentary 'Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart.'

Now married to Matthew Gilmour, whom she wed in 2012, Smart is also a mother to three children - Chloé, James and Olivia - and says her latest pursuit is about fully embracing life.

'I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness,' she wrote.