Wow this was an incredible memoir. A bit disjointed but still fascinating to read. I’d like to read more by this author for sure now!

Take the Lead is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of competitive climbing and what it’s like to be born a natural athlete who can nurture that talent from an early age. Eventually, the sport takes its toll on her mentally and physically and she must decide whether to quit or persist. She took on each challenge in her own way and usually came out on top. Like many women in the public eye, her body was scrutinized with a greater focus on how it looked than what it could accomplish. She struggled with body dysmorphia and feeding her body the way that was required. I enjoyed the book because I'm a big lover of climbing stories of all varieties, but this should be appealing to anyone who enjoys stories about sports. She very much forged her own path, balancing a sport that took relentless commitment with relationships, education, and making a living. I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Take the Lead from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is far outside my usual genre of books, but I was drawn to this one. Having an avid rock climber as a close friend, I was ready to learn more about this love of hers. And I learned so much! Sasha DiGiulian is a world champion climber and we get to watch her achieve that status. Truly inspiring and at times terrifying and heartbreaking as we watch that journey. The body is amazing and can do astonishing things. Loved this book that read more like a novel and would fully recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a DNF @ 25% for me. The writing style, unchecked privilege, and glamorizing disordered eating were a miss for me.

Sincere thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

I really enjoyed the emotional struggles that Sasha DiGiulian shared with us in this memoir!
This is a great story of inspiration and success on life's journey.

great book and loved the mystery through out the book. I loved the characters and how they grew through all of their adventures. I enjoyed this book and this author and will check them out again add them to my reading pile.

🍁 Pub Day Review: Take The Lead 🍁

⁉️: What is the one activity or thing that you have always wanted to do but haven’t been able to?

For me, it’s hiking and climbing. Years ago, Mike and I watched a couple on YouTube, Kara and Nate, who climbed to the Everest base camp. However, back then I was on a journey to complete my PhD and during the final two years, I became more inactive. Now, I am slowly taking things in charge and will gradually become active again. Though, I won’t lie - it is very hard to get motivated!

Here, I absolutely loved and was excited to receive the advanced copy of World Champion climber, Sasha DiGuilian’s memoir. What I loved about her book was that even if you have won the Title of World Champion, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be grounded and face up and downs. Being a prominent figure in social media platforms, she faced intense scrutiny and body dysmorphia and also a career-ending injury.

I really enjoyed and found the content refreshing. More than anything, I loved Sasha’s down-to-earth demeanor and tone throughout the book, and would recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring story!

Thank you @SashaDiGiulian and St. Martin’s Press (@StMartinsPress) for the gifted arc


#TaketheLead #SashaDiGuilian #SMPInfluencer #StMartinsPress #shnidhi

Sasha Diguilian has written an open revealing intimate look at her life her emotional struggles and then her amazing success in her climbing.A truly inspiring read a bookI really enjoyed.#netgalley #st.martinsbooks.

So well written. As someone interested in climbing, this was a great tale of a young woman overcoming various levels of adversity and asserting her independence and herself in the world as a climber. A memoir written from the author's point of view, it follows her from childhood and throughout her career, documenting her successes, and struggles. It was interesting to read things about her as I wasn't as familiar with some of her work as I was with some of the more prominent male climbers - which is something I think this book sets out to do, which is make women climbers more known on the world stage and help show that in many ways they are overcoming as much, if not more, adversity than male climbers on the regular. I think this book is eyeopening in many ways if not mostly from a feminism viewpoint showing how women in sports are much more criticized and also held to a higher standard often than men.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy climbing or would love learning about a fantastic climber and her life.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Take the Lead by Sasha DiGiulian is a very interesting memoir coming from Sasha herself.
I loved how she opened up about her mental and emotional struggles.
But also about her succeeding in life and her journey.
It was an incredible and inspiring story.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Take the Lead by Sasha DiGiulian

I have tried bouldering and rock climbing. I have belayed and been belayed, so I have a modicum of knowledge of this sport. Sasha takes it to a frightening extreme in this very well-written autobiography of her life as a serious, world renowned climber.

Starting at a young age, Sasha always knew what she wanted to do and set very high goals for herself to reach her dream. You will travel with her near and far as she explains all the details of her sport. Sasha gives a generous nod to everyone who helped her in this remarkable journey, and if something didn’t go according to plan, she shames no one.

I recommend this book for readers who like to read of someone else’s success achieved through their own hard work and determination. It is an extremely enjoyable read, even if you have no climbing experience. My thanks to #StMartinsPress and#NetGalley for this five star read for my review.

Rock climbing is an activity that I find simultaneously compelling and terrifying. I want to enjoy it—to feel the exhilaration of navigating a spectacular vertical ascent using my mind and muscles, to reach the top and survey the landscape. But as several sessions in the safety of rock-climbing gyms have taught me, the sport requires its athletes to push past fears (of heights, of falling, of coming up short) that I can’t seem to overcome. I’m much more likely to hike up a mountain than climb it.

Professional climber Sasha DiGiulian never dealt with the fears that keep me off the climbing wall: from an early age, she eagerly left the ground and propelled herself up any structure she could find. A birthday party for her brother introduced DiGiulian to gym climbing at only six years old, and she quickly took to the activity; within a few short years, she was winning competitions and securing sponsorships.

Take the Lead, however, is not about DiGiulian’s twenty-five years of success in her sport—it’s about the mental, emotional, and physical obstacles she has grappled with along the way. Like too many female athletes, she has dealt with disordered eating, misogyny, and attacks on social media. She has struggled to find balance between her career and her personal relationships. She’s grieved her father’s sudden death, undergone surgery and recovery, and fought for recognition in a sport in which American women are relatively rare.

Take the Lead is a clear and concise memoir, interweaving DiGiulian’s thoughts on these topics with accounts of her climbing expeditions around the world. Even if the idea of undertaking these challenging ascents is a non-starter for you, the strength and thoughtfulness with which DiGiulian tackles everything in her life makes for an engaging motivational read.

World champion climber Sasha DiGiulian tells her story—from coming of age under the scrutiny of social media, navigating a male-dominated sport, and tackling her most heart-stopping climbs—and shares the power of perseverance and positivity.

What I liked:
🧗‍♀️The stories of her rock climbing experiences
🧗‍♀️Glimpse into the highs and lows of being an elite athlete.
🧗‍♀️Relatable takeaways for anyone chasing goals

Final thoughts: I loved this book and being able to travel through the world through her climbs. Beyond the adventures this was a very inspiring read. I really enjoyed her writing style, storytelling and honesty with the mental & emotional struggles she faced.

I really enjoyed this very well-written book by Sasha DiGiulian chronicalling her career as a World Champion rock climber which began when she was just 6 years of age at a gym. I was so glad she provided the climbing terms used and their meanings as it was very helpful.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of the very informative book.

A fine memoir with hard-won tips on succeeding in a traditionally male sport -- climbing -- and in life. You'll thrill at world champion climber Sasha DiGiulian's gripping story and learn from her amazing experiences. Recommended!

I have no idea why I read these type of books, as I am a big chicken when it comes to doing anything this daring, but I realize that I love these books because the activities is a metaphor about life and a battle cry for people in general.

While this book tackles climbing as the physical activity, it also can be used in everyday life. Letting go, getting stronger, being determined - its all in this book and I really enjoy how the author "shows" you and does not ram it down my throat.

Living takes courage and this is the message here.

Excellent pacing and an inspiring read.

**Full disclosure: I have followed Sasha on social media for a few years now. Separately, I have climbed before and am aware of a lot of the sport’s terminology. I am not sure how I would feel about this book if not given these two key points.”

This book is for those who enjoy memoirs, adventure stories, or boss lady stories. You don’t have to be a climber to appreciate the emotionality of striving for a goal and succeeding, or not. It is a great glimpse into an adventure athlete’s life, full of stress inducing stories from remote parts of the world, but also simply a story of one person’s attempt to juggle the ups and downs of life. Fully relatable whether you climb or not.

I received a free copy of Take the Lead, by Sasha DiGiulian, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sasha DiGiulian is a climber and a very good one at that. I learned a lot about climbing in this book, its a lot of mental along with physical ability. I enjoyed this book, learning more about climbing and Sasha. Im to scared of heights to try it though.

Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and swept away on a thrilling adventure in "Take the Lead: Hanging On, Letting Go, and Conquering Life's Hardest Climbs" by Sasha DiGiulian. In this remarkable memoir, DiGiulian invites readers into her world of rock climbing, pushing boundaries, and conquering the seemingly insurmountable challenges that life presents.

From the very first page, DiGiulian's passion and zest for life shine through. Her storytelling is filled with a contagious energy that propels readers to dream big, embrace the unknown, and chase their own personal summits. Through her honest and relatable voice, she shares the triumphs and setbacks she encountered on her journey, teaching us invaluable lessons about resilience, determination, and the transformative power of embracing fear.

"Take the Lead" is not just a book about climbing; it is a deeply human story of growth and self-discovery. DiGiulian courageously opens up about the mental and emotional struggles she faced along her path, offering a glimpse into the vulnerability that exists behind her impressive achievements. Her willingness to confront her fears head-on and persistently push through barriers serves as an empowering reminder that we are capable of far more than we often believe.

DiGiulian's vivid descriptions transport readers to breathtaking heights and expose them to the exhilarating world of rock climbing. Through her words, we feel the raw beauty of the landscapes, the adrenaline rush of conquering a difficult route, and the profound sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching the summit. Her ability to capture the essence of these experiences is awe-inspiring, igniting a desire within readers to embrace their own passions and embark on their personal quests for greatness.

DiGiulian’s message goes far beyond the world of climbing, as she encourages readers to face their fears, pursue their dreams, and chart their own paths to success. Her storytelling is laced with wisdom and insight, offering practical advice and guiding principles that can be applied to any endeavor. Through her experiences, she shows us that the greatest victories often lie on the other side of our comfort zones.

The pacing of the memoir is captivating, with each chapter leaving readers eager for the next ascent. DiGiulian intertwines personal anecdotes, introspection, and practical tips, creating a story that is as informative as it is riveting. She has the exceptional ability to balance storytelling with valuable life lessons, ensuring that readers are not only entertained but also enriched by her words.

"Take the Lead" is an inspiring and adventurous memoir that will leave you feeling invigorated and ready to tackle life's hardest climbs. Sasha DiGiulian's extraordinary journey is a metaphor for the challenges we all face and the potential we possess to overcome them. Her story reveals the resilience of the human spirit and a call to embrace our inner strength, seize opportunities, and carve our own paths to success.

Whether you are a climbing enthusiast or simply seeking a powerful story of personal growth, "Take the Lead" is a must-read. Sasha DiGiulian's indomitable spirit, captivating storytelling, and contagious passion will leave an indelible mark on your heart and inspire you to embrace life's challenges with unwavering determination.

So, take the lead, let go of your doubts, and embark on a transformative journey with Sasha DiGiulian as your guide. The rewards that await are nothing short of extraordinary.

I throroughly enjoyed Sasha DiGiulian's memoir of her life and travels all over the world. She is an exemplary role model for girls and women.