Take the Lead: Hanging On, Letting Go, and Conquering Life's Hardest Climbs

by Sasha DiGiulian

This program is read by the author.

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.

At age six, Sasha DiGiulian stepped into a climbing gym for the first time and was competing within a year. Decked out in all-pink gear and with her blonde hair tied into pigtails, Sasha knew from an early age what it was like to be a girl in a traditionally male-dominated sport, vowing to never sacrifice her femininity to fit in. With a fierce love for the climb and incredible natural talent, Sasha soon won her first National Sport Climbing Championship at only seventeen, and a year later took the title of World Champion.

To her fans, it looked like Sasha was on top of the world. But under the accolades, she was just another young woman learning how to handle the intense scrutiny of social media and dealing with body dysmorphia, all while quietly facing a potentially career-ending injury. In a relatable and inspiring voice, Take the Lead reflects on the highs and lows of Sasha’s illustrious life and career for the first time, bringing listeners on her remarkable journey from novice climber to Columbia University graduate, adventurer, environmentalist, and entrepreneur, and one of the most recognizable faces in climbing.

For listeners of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Megan Rapinoe’s One Life, Take the Lead ultimately emphasizes the power of perseverance, fearlessness and positivity in tackling some of the most daunting and fearsome climbs—on and off the wall.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Sports, Climbing, Biography, Adventure, Biography Memoir

Audible Audio

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Zendegi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sasha DiGiulian is an extremely accomplished climber and chronicles some of her climbing successes and challenges in this book. It was neat to hear about some of the big walls she has done, and her uniqueness as a climber. She did amazingly well through some health challenges.

Despite the cool climbs, I am not sure who the audience for this book is supposed to be. It swings between explaining extremely simple climbing terms and concepts (like what plastic holds are at the gym) to barely giving any description of the complexity of big wall climbing, to giving minute detail about specific climbs. So part of it ends up being boring or confusing for non-climbers, while the other part is boring and overly simplified for climbers.

It was interesting to me, as someone who really struggles with fear of falling, that Sasha did not express much fear until she got to her big wall projects. It would have been beneficial to hear a bit more exploration of this from her. Why she hasn't been afraid of gym or sport climbing falls, and why fear came up more in the big wall setting.

Sasha has an enormous amount of economic and social privilege, which put me off some as she doesn't really acknowledge it. So many instances - her "Gucci Mom," their vacation home in Canada, her mom hiring an amazing outdoor guide for her to climb outside when she was very young, her father's businesses, her father's yacht, getting to travel all over the world for climbing competitions as a kid (and then saying "I _MAY_ have been more well traveled than most teenagers" (you definitely were, just own it)), her disdain for her provincial fellow high school students, to casually dropping that a Senator and Representative were friends of the family, etc. Wow.

Sasha is very dedicated to training and climbing hard, and she's done a lot of work to get where she is. But her getting to where she is has been a HUGE amount due to her luck of birth. It takes a lot of good luck for anyone to get to the top of their sport. It really pains me how much talent is out there in the world, in absolutely every field, that never gets realized because those people are too busy scraping for a living, kept out for discriminatory reasons, or taking care of others instead of only being able to focus on themselves. I wish Sasha expressed more humility here, and it saddens me when well-off individuals travel to other countries (especially undeveloped ones) to get outdoor "firsts" without locals as part of the team getting those firsts (locals as porters doesn't count).

I wish there was more exploration of her female friendships, and what supporting each other really looked like. The bit she does talk about is fairly superficial and relates around just going on trips and climbing together, or getting physical therapy. There is an opportunity here to really dive deep and let us know Sasha better as a person. In contrast, there is a lot about her boyfriends, especially one who seemed somewhat abusive. But then she starts a new relationship and barely says anything about him to the reader before confessing her love for him. This felt imbalanced. She also has little to say about the culture of the places she's traveled to.

Major props to her for sticking up for herself against the misogyny in the climbing community and online. Well done!

Overall, it's an OK read if you like Sasha and climbing or you are looking for a sports memoir. Probably not worth it otherwise.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in September 2023, "Take the Lead: Hanging On, Letting Go, and Conquering Life's Hardest Climbs," by Sasha DiGiulian, is a memoir of the author's life of becoming a world champion climber. DiGiulian mostly climbs rock surfaces, but she also competes in ice climbing and non-rock climbing surfaces, too.

Before reading this memoir, I knew absolutely nothing about rock climbing, and I'd never heard of DiGiulian before. I'm also not on Instagram, so I'm completely unfamiliar with her huge following on social media. I've never seen any of DiGiulian's media content, either on her own social media platforms or in any of her mainstream media appearances.

I only found out about this book a few weeks ago, because Aspen Winter Words featured DiGiulian as their February 2024 guest speaker. DiGiulian looks like a supermodel in the author photo for this event. She is a very beautiful young woman.

I read this book in about two weeks, and while I did learn quite a bit about rock climbing, the book didn't leave me with a good impression of the sport. It seems like an activity that the ultra-wealthy engage in, flying all over the world, racing around in chartered planes and helicopters trying to 'outdo' each other nonstop. The competition for money, status, 'first' ascents [called 'sends'], and bragging rights, all while competing in a sport that requires hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, and probably a lot more than that for DiGiulian, just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Other readers have remarked that there is a lot of unexamined, unremarked upon socioeconomic privilege in this book, and I definitely agree. It becomes really off-putting at times.

DiGiulian is earnest and sincere. I do think she is speaking from the heart in these pages.

"Take the Lead" is a 'success and meritocracy' narrative, and DiGiulian's commitment to positivity is relentless.

I wanted to DNF so many times. I kept hoping for something deeper on the page, some richer level of soulfulness; I wanted a payoff for pushing through. But this book doesn't have the kind of depth I was hoping for.

DiGiulian is honest about difficult aspects of climbing. I definitely learned a lot from this book, even if the author's narrative choices and the money required to do this sport really put me off.

2 stars for me personally.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 overall, because I know I'm not the intended reader for this book.

[Sharon S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a few chapters to grab me, but Sasha Digiulian’s story of how she became a professional climber is an engaging account of the highs and lows of accomplishing your dream. Her focus on positive thinking is a triumph over bullies who operate “from a place of fear or competition.” Her journey is a pep talk for women in all walks of life. It’s a glimpse into a world few of us will experience — but it was interesting to visit from the safety of the couch.
(I read a free review copy and it had no photos — I hope there are some in the final version.)

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for my tween daughter, who is a climber, but I wanted to read it first. I enjoyed it, but the writing and formatting were just okay. As a mother, and a former teenager who had a relationship with someone in their 20s, I had such a hard time with her teenage relationship with an adult man. I had a conversation with my daughter about it (and another female climber’s past relationships with her former coach) and how problematic they can be. That aside, I feel reading it “together” with my daughter is a great starting point to have conversations about the pitfalls of climbing as a girl/woman and the amazing heights (pun intended) climbing can take you as well. Sasha’s dedication and perseverance are inspiring and a good example of the type of grit needed to be successful at such a level.

[Kinza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pre-ordered and was stoked to DEVOUR this book.

Sasha’s journey is remarkable. She’s the first of her kind, having grown up competitive climbing, pursuing a prestigious education, crusader for shutting down misogynistic voices that tend to be in every athletic sphere…saying “yes” to just about every experience out there. She’s continued to speak, motivate, inspire, all while finding herself.

She wrote the book herself, admirable for someone in her sphere! I wish her editors would have pushed to structure the book a bit better and for more self-reflection and depth in writing. Because Sasha is sort of young herself, I felt myself justifying the writing gaps with her youth, which is unfair to other writers.

And, while not my place to recommend this, therapy might benefit her given some of what I read.

Although she wrote this for the every day reader, her life and how she wrote about it was not relatable. Going to Columbia and her father offering to pay for it seems like incredible unrecognized privilege. She kept talking about it for a solid 3 chapters, which is pedantic, in other areas, it felt rushed and that she was reading off a list of core memories.

A solid book, could have been better written so as to do the writer justice!

[Sheryl Shylo · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a women who climbs I was not expecting this. Sasha may be a great climber but she needs years in therapy before she should write a book. As a psychologist I see a woman who is not learning to address the root causes for her eating disorder, manipulative (at best) relationships, and avoidance of pursuing what she wants vs what she thinks she should do. I would not recommend this book.

[Alyssa Wing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Memoir? Yay. Climbing? Yay. Female? Yay. Mentioning that you stand up for the environment but only being salty towards people and assuming their thoughts though. Not yay.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this book when it was announced this spring, after watching her films at festivals and enjoying her writing in Outside Magazine for years. It showed up the week it came out, and I couldn't put it down and finished it in just a few days. As someone who climbed occasionally when I was younger and would like to get into it again, I thought the book would perhaps inspire me with some stories of adventure in the mountains, and it did, but there was so much more. From delightful depictions of attending youth climbing competitions with her mom to the frustrating challenges of being a professional athlete in an industry rife with unfair double standards, there's something on every page to make you laugh and smile, or at least sigh and think. I found myself promising myself "just one more chapter… it’s just a short one" until way too late in the night. I can't even imagine how hard it must be to have grown up in the public eye this way and seeing her write so openly about the challenges and setbacks and self-doubt she's faced is a liberating reminder that it's not the end of the world to acknowledge messing up. I don't know how she finds the energy and perseverance to live out her dreams (so many in parallel) while also doing so much for others, but just reading about her life is motivation to do more with mine. I've been reading mountaineering books since I was a kid (and rarely are they so introspective), but there's something in here for everyone, even someone who's never been climbing.

[S.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me an ARC.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is not at all a reflection of Sasha as a human being or her achievements (which are pretty dang incredible). I just had a hard time getting through this memoir because the book focused mainly on her climbs and grew to feel slightly tedious. As someone who climbs, I was fascinated by her drive, dedication, and the amazing places she traveled. However, I wanted to know more about Sasha’s thoughts, feelings, experiences, and reflections, and very little of this book focused on those things. Again, Sasha is a 5⭐️ climber, and writing a book is no easy feat. Her memoir just didn’t hit like I was hoping it would.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Sasha’s career before I even started climbing so I knew about a lot of the events on this book, but it provided more detail. I really enjoyed how much she opened up about her struggles and life in general. This book is great for climbers and non climbers alike. It’s really nice that she explains the climbing lingo for non climbers who read her book.

[Grace Gibbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - I have looked up to Sasha as a climber for 10+ years so I loved reading about her expeditions and mindset and especially the way she tackles her goals. I found the writing to be a bit cheesy and simplistic compared to what a dynamic speaker she is (she went to Columbia for writing so maybe a bit too high expectations on my part).

[Kayla Susko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this! I was nervous it’d be too technical as someone who isn’t an avid outdoor climber and may not understand it. Sasha’s recaps of her competitions, big climbs and training was all easy to understand though and inspiring. I felt like all elements of her life flowed together well to give the full picture of her life as a professional athlete, including the challenges

[Kate K · Rating 2 out of 5]

For Sasha’s incredible feats and contributions to women’s climbing, I would give five stars. The book I give four. Reviewing memoirs is always very difficult- this is one of those times where the life someone has lived just doesn’t land on the page. Some of the writing was a bit clunky, and some paragraphs felt redundant or dragged.

I think other climbers and female athletes will enjoy this, but I’m not sure I would recommend to a general audience.

edit: after reflecting more on my own enjoyment of the book, I bumped it down to 2*. Again this is not at all a reflection of Sasha as a climber or human.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The parts of the book where she talks about her personal life and her family those parts are interesting. The parts, which is most of the book, where she talks about her litany of climbs, gets to be a bit on the tedious side, and for someone not in the sport, not interesting to read in the least. I am sure the book would be interesting for those who rock climb, but I don’t think it connects with people outside of the sport.

[Melanie Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

learned so much about sasha and her climbing journey- super cool and inspiring person

[Teenage Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts:
I started climbing at sixteen, and once I discovered this sport was for me, I went online to find climbers who looked like me, people I could draw inspiration from. Almost immediately, I found Sasha DiGiulian, with her blonde hair, bright pink nails, ball gowns, and one of the strongest climbing abilities the world has ever seen. After ten years of admiring Sasha, I was thrilled to read her “tell-all” about her experience in the climbing community, eager to learn more about the woman I had idolized. DiGiulian takes readers through her entire journey—from starting climbing to where she stands in 2021/2022, navigating the pandemic and hip surgery. As her first written work, I’m proud of DiGiulian for being brave enough to share her story, her climbing achievements, and her personal life. For climbers, this book highlights the incredible feats we can accomplish and the challenges within our community. For non-climbers, it serves as an ode to female athletes and the sheer determination it takes to be the best. Thank you, Sasha, for sharing your raw and unfiltered story, showing both the best and worst parts of yourself.
Characters:
While this is a memoir and not a novel, there are no “characters” in the traditional sense. DiGiulian recounts her life story from her point of view, taking us from her childhood at a birthday party to becoming a married woman with pets and a professional climbing career. Although I can’t judge how DiGiulian wrote these people, I did find her portrayal of some individuals to be harsh, while others were shown more leniently. For example, she’s very critical of her father, portraying him as a failure for not being able to pay for her college tuition at Columbia (which is mentioned several times). While this may have been true at the time, I felt there could have been more reflection on why her father acted the way he did, especially given that the book is written almost two decades later. It read more like her sixteen-year-old diary rather than a mature reflection. Similarly, while she writes about her relationships with Erik (her husband), Edu (her former toxic climbing partner), and Magnus (her first love), these sections lack the kind of introspection that would have added depth. For instance, DiGiulian doesn't reflect on how strange it was to have Magnus, an adult, move next door to her and drive her to high school—something that felt odd and needed more exploration. While she does offer insightful reflections on her family and expresses gratitude for her mother, her portrayal of some other relationships seemed a bit superficial, as if she didn’t need to revisit or reflect on them, even when there were clear complexities.
Plot / Writing:
This novel can be divided into two parts: DiGiulian’s life as a climber and her life as a woman. As a climber myself, I was fascinated by her detailed recounting of climbs, first ascents, and working with legendary names in the climbing world. DiGiulian’s descriptions and climbing terminology will resonate most with climbers, but even non-climbers can appreciate the incredible feats she accomplished. For the general public, the “woman” aspect of the novel will stand out. DiGiulian opens up about the pressures of being a female professional athlete in a male-dominated sport, especially the unrealistic expectations to be thin in order to climb better. She candidly discusses how her obsession with calorie-counting eventually led to an eating disorder, which she openly addresses in the book.
The novel also delves into her romantic relationships, many of which the media portrayed as contributing to her success as a climber. DiGiulian doesn’t dwell on the romance itself but opens up about how these relationships impacted her both personally and professionally. She also addresses the bullying she faced from the media and others in the climbing industry, offering a compelling look at what it means to be a female athlete navigating a world that often undermines women.
As for her writing, DiGiulian keeps it real, but at times I wished she had poured more emotion into the narrative. There are moments where I wanted to feel more deeply about the breakups, the climbing struggles, or her journey to self-acceptance. This memoir could have benefited from more self-reflection, as DiGiulian often states the facts and her emotions, without exploring the deeper reasons behind them. There’s a lot of therapy left to unpack in these pages, and I think the book could have been even more powerful had DiGiulian gone deeper into why she felt certain ways or how she worked through those feelings. That said, as her first book, she did a great job of keeping the pace flowing and making the story interesting.
Conclusion:
Sasha DiGiulian, I am so happy that you’ve achieved one of your long-term goals by writing this book. It’s truly a remarkable story. The subtitles of this memoir are spot-on, as it offers a unique perspective for both climbers and non-climbers alike. Through this book, DiGiulian explores “Life’s Hardest Climbs” and the art of hanging on and letting go—both physically, in the world of climbing, and emotionally, in life.

[cazzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always liked Sasha DiGiulian. When I first started climbing about 9 years ago, I admired her ability to balance both strength and femininity. I didn't join the sport as an athlete, so other famous climbers felt unapproachable and intimidating. But something about Sasha felt very welcoming, and proved that you didn't have to be an Alex Honnold dirtbag or hyper-muscular Alex Puccio to be a climber.

I'm older now and look a little bit more like Puccio (lol, I wish) so I don't really need that assurance anymore. I still like Sasha, but have been put off a teensy bit just because she's quite corny. It's not like, bad to be corny, but between the friendship with Jared Leto (ew), lingerie photoshoots (which, as an aside, were also not bad, but just so corny), granola bar peddling, and huge brand partnerships, I've just been a bit put off. That being said, her Instagram comments are among the most disgusting on the Internet. So, obviously, I am on her side in every endeavor.

This book affirms that belief. The book is written chronologically and lacks any other structure, which was a bit rough to read. The beginning was dead boring. As a climber, I found the descriptions of how she started rock climbing (a birthday party, which is as cliche as it gets), the descriptions of her competition cycles, and how she felt about rock climbing as a child very dull. My husband also competed during that same era (and competed in some of the same comps as Sasha!) and between him and I, we could have written the first couple chapters. Maybe that's a personal criticism, but this part felt like it wasn't written with the same audience in mind as the rest of the book.

The book picks up as Sasha becomes an adult. She has to balance being a full-time college student with being a pro-climber, which was interesting to read. Then, she totally immerses herself in big wall climbing. This is obviously the kind of stuff Sasha really likes, because suddenly she gets a lot more descriptive. She describes so many disastrous moments with vigor. She sounds like she'd be a great person to go on a trip with!

I have the same criticism I have of this book that I had of Free Solo. I want more specific instances of climbing! So much of this book looks like a laundry list off of Sasha Digiulean's KAYA profile. "First, I did Digital Warfare 5.14, then I did this, then I did this. It was a great trip!" Climbers have projects. We spend weeks -- or months, or years -- working on specific sequences. We can describe the moves from memory. We strive to know exactly why we're falling. I know Sasha has these moments, but they are not in this book. I would have loved if she could have described the cruxes of specific routes. She could explain why she was falling, how she felt about it. Falling is frustrating! How does she surpass that? What kind of climbing does she excel at? What does she struggle with, and how does she work with that? For a book about rock climbing, I feel like I learned nothing about her actual climbing style. The best parts of this book, IMO, are her descriptions of the Trilogy. I loved hearing about Sasha's long-term projecting. This part of the book was obviously written for climbers (which brings to mind - why wasn't the first half?)

On the non-climbing-related parts of the book, I really enjoyed reading about Sasha's relationships with her parents, boyfriends, and other folks in the climbing community. I also enjoyed reading about her eating disorder, misogynistic attacks, and injuries. Sasha is - AT WORST - corny, and she so deeply does not deserve the constant vitriol in her comments section. I don't know why people are so forgiving of Joe Kinder (I don't remember his alias... woopsies!) making an alt account to make fun of women. I really judge all of the people I know who still follow him and think he's a worthwhile person. There are plenty of good climbers out there. If they hate women, we don't need them.

Sasha recounts details of all of those personal topics, but rarely lingers. Instead, she goes right back to her KAYA listings. I really wish that she would have reflected more deeply on those topics. How did the misogyny build over time? How does she reckon with real mistakes she's made vs. random bullshit people on the Internet make up? How does she mourn the loss of friends who sided with Joe Kinder after obvious misogyny? What's her relationship with food today (and don't you dare mention granola bars)?

In summary -- oh my god, this review is long -- I think this book needed to cook a little longer. I don't really like the chronological format, I think it's both too descriptive (KAYA) and too vague (how did she even get that famous, again? It feels like she just gets Red Bull and then is a celebrity.) I think the book would have been better served by dedicating specific chapters to notable life events, and then linking climbing/family from there. That would give Sasha a little bit more room to reflect over just listing out moments in her life in succession.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seit sie mit sechs Jahren bei einem Kindergeburtstag das erste Mal in einer Kletterhalle war, wollte Sasha nur noch klettern. Das Mädchen ist nicht nur eine sehr begeisterte, sondern auch eine sehr talentierte Kletterin, was nicht lange unbemerkt bleibt. Sie wird gefördert und nimmt bald an ersten Wettkämpfen teil und ist bald nicht nur eine der besten Sportkletterinnen, sondern auch der besten Boulderinnen weltweit.

Sashas Geschichte liest sich fast wie ein Märchen. Seit ihrem ersten Mal an der Wand geht es mit ihrer Karriere steil bergauf. Ihr gelingt einfach alles, egal ob Wand oder Fels, Bouldern oder Klettern.

Es ist fast zu schön, um wahr zu sein, aber es gibt auch eine andere Seite der Medaille: den Vater, der Bouldern nicht als ernsthaften Sport ansieht. Der Zwang, immer dünn zu sein und somit einen Vorteil gegenüber schwereren oder nicht so starken Konkurrentinnen zu haben.

Erfolgreich im Klettern zu sein bedeutet, dass man in der Öffentlichkeit steht, auch im Privatleben, besonders wenn der Partner ähnlich bekannt ist wie man selbst.

Sasha jongliert mit vielen Bällen, neben ihrer sportlichen Karriere ist sie auch an der Schule und später im Studium erfolgreich. Das kann bedeuten, dass sie am Wochenende nach Europa zu einem Wettkampf fliegt und unter der Woche in einem Hörsaal in den USA sitzt. Sie schreibt offen darüber, wie schwer ihr das manchmal gefallen ist, gerade weil viele KollegInnen sich nur auf den Sport konzentriert haben. Aber sie wollte nicht nur ihren Körper, sondern auch ihren Geist trainieren und das ist ihr gut gelungen.

Verletzungen gehören zum Leben einer Leistungssportlerin, auch wenn Sasha lange verschont blieb. Dafür trifft es sie umso härter und der Weg zurück an die Wand ist weit. Sicher war es nicht so leicht, wie sie es in ihrer Biografie beschreibt (auch wenn ihre Schilderung schon nicht einfach klingt), aber der Blick zurück ist mit einem lachenden Auge.

Eine sympathische Frau mit einer spannenden Lebensgeschichte, auf die noch viele Abenteuer warten.
4ratten

[Maura Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

Review copy provided courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

[Nidhi Shrivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍁 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

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Take the Lead by Sasha DiGiulian and here are my thoughts.

I was super interested to read about Sasha. As a woman in a male dominated sport… I can just imagine what kind of challenges that presented.

I've never climbed myself but I would imagine it's a pretty insane rush!!


Reading about how she got her start in climbing and how her teenage years shaped her career into becoming a world champion. I loved finding out that it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows getting to where she is today. She has a lot of battles in her life. Mental health issues with body dysmorphia, which I also suffer from but have found a way to manage it. It was raw and vulnerably written and I loved that.

The whole book was really well written and even though I didn't know who she was until I picked up this book, I felt a certain kinship with her. Seeing the world of competitive climbing was quite exhilarating and I definitely enjoyed the whole book.

I also love the hat that came with the book so thank you to @stmartinspress for gifted copy.

4 stars. Highly recommend this biography!

#taketheleas #stmartinspress #SashaDiGiulian #biography #memoir #bookreview #bookalorian #booklover #bookish #igreview #igreader #readersofig #instagramreader #bookcommunity #readercommunity #bookstagram #bookishreview #readerblog

[Sara Ikmal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've followed Sasha DiGiulian for years and have been amazed and inspired by her climbing career. So I was excited to pick up this book. Overall, I enjoyed discovering how her introduction to the sport began, and admired how driven she is in conquering the big climbs she attempts.

However, the book as a whole left me wanting. I hoped for more insight somehow into what goes into her climbs - I'm an amateur climber who has yet to learn to lead, and would have liked more in-depth descriptions into her preparations and the process of a big climb, especially the mixed climbs she had to do and figuring out how to climb ice. I also felt like there were bits of 'plot' that didn't quite lead anywhere - her first party at university is one example and plenty more which made the book feel more like a jumbled combination of diary entries than a cohesive storyline.

The people in her life also seem strangely detached from the overall narrative. They are there as supporting characters to the story of her life and I didn't get a sense of their personalities - just passing figures in each story bit.

As this is her first time writing a book, there is definitely some area to improve in the storytelling. That aside, this was a nice look into what it takes to be so dedicated to climbing as a career and devoting your life to the sport.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take the Lead gives us a way to understand why people, especially young people, climb very big things that are very much into the world.

The writer tells about how her mom and dad take on this kind of work in her game. And her story opens up a lot of things about a new game for high school. And, yes, it’s a game than be very dangerous.

The book also shows that working hard to go up to the tops of mountains can be in the US and other places too. Of course, the theme of the book is that many females. Well into the book, we get “Climbing was when I felt most in control of my body and mind.” (134). And this is from a young woman going to Columbia.

Later in the book she gives us some good statements of what is happening: “Climbing is a multifaceted sport. And the last third of the book has a lot of challenges in sport. Chapter 16 starts with “Climbing is a sport that is rarely “comfortable”. (199)

The book is a interesting thing that challenges so much of we get from football, baseball, and many more. The book doesn’t make a theme that all schools should have such a team. That’s because to play in this game means the school and especially the players need to have a lot of money.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things I like about reading memoirs is I get to experience a person's life that I may not have otherwise been able to relate to. Climbing is not something that interests me so I figured a memoir about a climber would be an interesting read. I was wrong.

The first thing that didn't resonate with me was Sasha's inability to acknowledge her own privilege. That is a huge issue in the memoir sphere and Take the Lead isn't an exception. There are several references in which Sasha grew up or had access to resources that others didn't, yet when her fathers businesses were failing and he couldn't pay for college as intended, she focused more on those conversations than acknowledging the early access to resources she had that put her in a position to become a professional (paid) climber.

I did appreciate how much time Sasha spent explaining certain aspects about climbing because I knew nothing going into this book. I would have liked to have seen that applied throughout the entire book, but there are times where she is super descriptive and then other times where she glosses over.

Focusing on the mental aspects of the sport resonated the most with me and I felt that is where this book shined.

Thank you SMP for the gifted ARC.

[Anya Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.