Elizabeth Smart had high praise for a recent bodybuilding competition she participated in, despite placing at the bottom of the two classes she was eligible for.

Smart shared her take on the experience on Instagram. She captioned a video of herself at the competition, “Another show for the books! Had such a blast. I’ve always said ‘just stepping on stage is a win for me!’ And I completely stand by that.”

Smart continued:

I competed in two classes: “Masters 35+,” which requires you to be 35 or older, and “Open Class D,” which is height-based. I placed at the bottom of both classes. Regardless of where I placed, I loved the whole experience, had an amazing coach (@slcrobynmaher), got to step onstage with my best friend (@mpholsombake), and had the best support squad in the audience I could ask for. I brought a better physique and stage presence than at my previous shows, and I’m so proud of myself for the hard work, discipline, and bravery it takes me to compete. So here’s to pursuing goals and not giving up!

Smart competed at the National Physique Committee’s North American Championships in Pittsburgh. The event took place from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5.

In April she won the Fit Model Novice at the Wasatch Warrior competition in Salt Lake City.

At the time, Smart acknowledged that many of her followers were likely surprised by her decision to enter bodybuilding competitions and to share the photos and videos online.

“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.

Smart added that she was “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. Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors.”