How Elizabeth Smart Transformed Trauma Into Purpose

THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Ed Mylett

Education, Business, Self-improvement, Entrepreneurship

4.9 • 13.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How Do You Turn Tragedy Into Triumph?In this unforgettable conversation, I sit down with Elizabeth Smart—a woman whose strength and grace have inspired millions. Elizabeth was kidnapped at knifepoint from her home at just 14 years old and endured nine months of unspeakable abuse. But what truly amazes me isn’t just her survival—it’s the extraordinary life she’s built in the aftermath. In this episode, Elizabeth shares what it means to reclaim your life, how she’s become a fierce protector of others, and the mindset that helped her move forward instead of staying trapped by trauma. Elizabeth opens up about those terrifying moments of captivity and the choice she made every day: don’t give up. She shares what it took to move past fear and anger—not to excuse what was done to her—but to love herself enough to not let that pain define her life. We talk about forgiveness, and she explains it in a way that will stop you in your tracks: “Forgiveness is the greatest form of self-love because it allows you to leave the anger behind and move forward.” We also dive into how trauma leaves a mark—not just on your heart, but on your brain. Elizabeth reveals how she’s worked to take her power back, from building a loving marriage to creating the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and Smart Defense, where women (and men) learn that they are stronger than they ever imagined. I loved how she said, “You are so powerful. You are much stronger than you think you are.” This episode isn’t just about Elizabeth’s story—it’s about all of us. Whether you’ve faced your own trauma, or you’re standing with someone who has, there’s so much here about resilience, purpose, and hope. Elizabeth’s courage will change the way you see your own challenges—and your ability to rise above them. Key takeaways from this episode: The real meaning of forgiveness and why it’s a gift you give yourself. How to reclaim your power when trauma makes you feel powerless. Why open communication and unconditional love are the most important things you can offer your children. The importance of learning self-defense not just for protection, but for confidence. How to be the kind of person who says, “I believe you. I’m here for you,” when someone shares their pain. Let this conversation remind you that no matter what you’ve been through, your future can be brighter than your past. Share this episode with someone who needs it. Let’s make a difference together. And for anyone who wants to learn more or get involved, please visit www.elizabethsmartfoundation.org. 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO ED'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW 👈 → → → CONNECT WITH ED MYLETT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ← ← ← ➡️ INSTAGRAM ➡️FACEBOOK ➡️ LINKEDIN ➡️ X ➡️ WEBSITE Get my exclusive Monday Motivation training in GrowthDay, the world’s #1 app for advanced mindset and personal development. Visit https://growthday.com/ed. This show is sponsored by GrowthDay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	So hey guys, listen, we're all trying to get more productive. And the question is, how do you find a way to get an edge?
0:05.4	I'm a big believer that if you're getting mentoring or you're in an environment that causes growth, a growth-based environment, that you're much more likely to grow and you're going to grow faster has created that I'm a big fan of. Write this down, growthday.com forward slash ed. So if you want to be more productive, by the way, he's asked
0:25.0	me, I post videos in there every single Monday that gets your day off to the right start. He's got
0:29.1	about $5,000, $10,000 worth of courses that are in there that come with the app. Also, some of the
0:34.2	top influencers in the world are all posting content and they're on a regular basis.
0:37.6	It's like having the Avengers of Personal Development and Business and one app.
0:41.5	And I'm honored that he asked me to be a part of it as well and contribute on a weekly basis, and I do.
0:45.5	So go over there and get signed up.
0:46.7	You're going to get a free tuition-free voucher to go to an event with Brendan and myself and a bunch of other influencers as well.
0:51.9	So you get a free event out of it also. So go to growthday.com forward slash ed. That's growthday.com forward slash ed.
1:01.3	My advantage gold is giving away a free copy of Rogoff's book to anyone who schedules a one-on-one
1:06.3	precious metals appointment. You'll discover why gold is becoming the number one hedge against a
1:10.4	global currency ship and how to move your IRA or 401k into physical gold. Tax and penalty free. Get your
1:16.1	free copy today while supplies last. Text win to 85545. That's win 85545 or go to advantagegold.com.
1:25.8	Data and message rates apply. Performance may vary.
1:28.4	You should always consult your financial and tax professional.
1:33.5	Amazon offers employees up to $8,000 for education and training.
1:38.0	Like Juliet, she's now a trained technician.
1:41.7	And to her, the sound of machinery in need of repair
1:46.0	reminds her of how far she's come.
1:50.0	In two years, she's landed her dream job,
1:53.0	providing her with valuable skills.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 1 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Ed Mylett, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Ed Mylett and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.