As someone who enjoys rock climbing as a hobby/workout, I was really excited to read this book. Sasha is such an interesting woman and I liked hearing about all her climbs and adventures. I also appreciated how real she was about her body image struggles and the pressures to constantly be tiny. Hopefully, the more famous women that talk about this, the better off the younger generations will be.

Prepare to inspired and swept away on a thrilling adventure. This book is not just a book about climbing, it’s about growth and self-discovery. DiGiulian encourages readers to face their fears, pursue their dreams, and chart their own paths to success.

I am always interested in memoirs from women who do brave and adventurous things so this was right up my alley! Sasha's story was super interesting and inspiring. While I love the outdoors and adrenaline climbing has never been my thing due to a birth injury so it was fun to hear Sasha's story!

Take the Lead is a memoir of world champion climber Sasha DiGiulian. While it is a story about her amazing career thus far in elite rock climbing, it is also a story about a woman who fights for what she feels passionate about and has amazing grit and determination.

Sasha DiGiulian goes all the way back to her childhood and very first climb as a 6 year old, and shares the story of how she worked to become a record setting elite athlete. While this is a story about her life so far as a climber, it is told in a way that is accessible to a those with minimal to no background knowledge of the sport. In addition to being a story about climbing, it is also a story about what it is like to be an elite female athlete, complicated family relationships, other relationships, eating disorders, fame, advocacy, loss, hope, and a lot of determination.

I recommend Take the Lead for people who enjoy athlete memoirs, stories of female empowerment, stories of athletic feats, or even those who just like hearing about amazing endurance and strength! The audiobook is narrated by Sasha herself, and is easy to listen to. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sasha DiGiulian for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sasha is an all around badass! When you talk about grit, this gal has it!

I’ve heard of Sasha over the years and loved hearing more of her story! Not only does she crush incredible climbs she also is a crushing cultural norms within the climbing community!

I would recommend her memoir even if you don’t know anything about climbing. She does a great job of breaking down the lingo and making it digestible.

What an inspiring and motivating read! As a climber, there were so many sections that I resonated with and I walked away with even more hope that female athletes will continue to exceed expectations and make their mark on the world. I cannot stress enough how important it is to hear the strength and determination it takes for female athletes to not only overcome life's challenges, but to break past societal norms/expectations, and take the lead in a male-dominated sport. I always jump on the opportunity to read these stories and we need to hear more of them.