Michael sits down with Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted at 14, survived nine months of captivity, and spent the decades after building her own path to recovery. She is the Founder of the Elizabeth Smart foundation and host of The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart, a true-crime podcast where she speaks with survivors of violent crimes about healing. Michael and Elizabeth discuss:

- Elizabeth’s 2002 kidnapping 

- Surprising facts about her kidnapping and discovery

- The psychological research behind downward comparison

- The untraditional support that helped her move forward

- Why healing from trauma does not follow one path

- Why bodybuilding became Elizabeth’s passion

- Why exercise can improve mental health and trauma recovery

- Why doing what scares you can lead to massive gains 

- Elizabeth’s work with survivors of violence

- Putting survivors at the center of true crime

- The strength people discover under pressure

And more …

This episode includes detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual violence, and trauma.

Go deeper: How To Be More Resilient

Two Percent is hosted by Michael Easter. Today's episode was produced by Joey Fischground, Robbie Hiser, Dana Brawer and Julia Nutter. From Kaleidoscope, our executive producers are Mangesh Hattikudur and Kate Osborn and Julia Nutter. From iHeart, our executive producers are Katrina Norvell and Nikki Ettore. Our Head of Video is Maria Paz Mendez Hodes. Our editor is Will Mayo. Our theme music is by the Heater Manager.

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