From a professional bodybuilder and longtime Wall Street Journal reporter, a manifesto on how women can radically change their lives by tapping into their innate physical power
When Wall Street Journal reporter Anne Marie Chaker discovered bodybuilding as a hobby in midlife, she was recovering from a series of traumas, including postpartum depression, the end of her marriage, and the sudden death of her father. By throwing herself into strength training and stretching her body beyond what she imagined to be its limits, she began to regain confidence. Slowly, she challenged the deeply entrenched body insecurities she realized she’d long held, and her life changed in ways she never could have imagined.
In Lift, Chaker explores the forces that have led generations of women to internalize the message that they should make themselves smaller and explains why, instead, building muscle not only creates long lasting health, but also empowers us. Along the way, she highlights research that dismantles the conventional story of women’s bodies. As Chaker argues, strength training can help women find true power and confidence that goes far beyond how we look: it can dramatically shift how we move through the world, reshape how we respond to setbacks, and transform how we see our value. And science shows that increasing muscle mass can help protect women’s bodies from the effects of aging. Most important, it rewrites the message we send the next generation once and for all and will help girls step into their power from a young age.
Bridging narrative storytelling with empowering and actionable takeaways, including advice on how to start a training program, Lift is a rallying cry and inspiring guide to help women to get stronger for life.
“This book is a game-changer. Anne Marie Chaker has written the motivational guide for every woman who wants to get serious about her health. I wish I had Lift years ago—it’s inspiring, practical, and packed with wisdom to transform your life.” —MEL ROBBINS, #1 New York Times bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast “Lift is a call to action for women to value our own strength and empower each other. Anne Marie Chaker has written an impassioned guide to challenge society’s expectations of women and push ourselves to define our own strength.” —BILLIE JEAN KING, sports icon and equality champion
“I am so pumped up that in Lift, Anne Marie Chaker terminates outdated myths and shows that training isn’t just about physical strength for women—it builds mental strength and has benefits outside of the gym. This book is a game-changer that will open your eyes about female strength.” —ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Be Useful
“As a menopause specialist and passionate advocate for women’s health, I couldn’t be more excited about Lift. This book flips the script on outdated ideas that women should shrink themselves to fit some impossible mold. Instead, it’s all about building strength—in your body, your mind, and your community—and redefining what it means to feel powerful and confident at any stage of life. Lift is the ultimate inspiration for embracing who you are, owning your space, and living boldly.” —DR. MARY CLAIRE HAVER, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and The Galveston Diet
“Lift is a bold and empowering call for women to reclaim their strength, both inside and out. This book challenges outdated ideals of beauty and encourages women to redefine what strength truly means. It’s more than lifting weights; it’s about lifting your potential and your life.” —DONNA DE VARONA, Olympic champion and broadcasting pioneer
“Lift will inspire you to change for the better, show you how to do it, and help you recognize your own inner athlete. Anne Marie Chaker combines deeply personal stories with the latest research and advice to empower you to build a stronger, longer life.” —JOANNE LIPMAN, bestselling author of That’s What She Said and Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work
“If you’re not already lifting weights, you’ll find it impossible to read this book without being inspired to start. If you are already lifting weights, you’ll feel validated and supported to continue.” —MARIAH BURTON NELSON, columnist and former pro basketball player
Anne Marie Chaker is a veteran journalist and professional bodybuilder. During her two-decade career at The Wall Street Journal, she held reporting jobs all over the paper, from the Journal’s regional editions to the Spot News Desk during the September 11 attack. She has covered everything from politics to news events, consumer trends, education, the workplace, and the major sociological shifts of our time. Her article “I Never Thought I’d Write This: I Am a Female Bodybuilder” has generated more than 500k views since it was published in 2020. Chaker lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her partner, Rick; daughters Juliette and Sylvie; and their overeager pup, Ninja.
View titles by Anne Marie Chaker
From a professional bodybuilder and longtime Wall Street Journal reporter, a manifesto on how women can radically change their lives by tapping into their innate physical power
When Wall Street Journal reporter Anne Marie Chaker discovered bodybuilding as a hobby in midlife, she was recovering from a series of traumas, including postpartum depression, the end of her marriage, and the sudden death of her father. By throwing herself into strength training and stretching her body beyond what she imagined to be its limits, she began to regain confidence. Slowly, she challenged the deeply entrenched body insecurities she realized she’d long held, and her life changed in ways she never could have imagined.
In Lift, Chaker explores the forces that have led generations of women to internalize the message that they should make themselves smaller and explains why, instead, building muscle not only creates long lasting health, but also empowers us. Along the way, she highlights research that dismantles the conventional story of women’s bodies. As Chaker argues, strength training can help women find true power and confidence that goes far beyond how we look: it can dramatically shift how we move through the world, reshape how we respond to setbacks, and transform how we see our value. And science shows that increasing muscle mass can help protect women’s bodies from the effects of aging. Most important, it rewrites the message we send the next generation once and for all and will help girls step into their power from a young age.
Bridging narrative storytelling with empowering and actionable takeaways, including advice on how to start a training program, Lift is a rallying cry and inspiring guide to help women to get stronger for life.
Reviews
“This book is a game-changer. Anne Marie Chaker has written the motivational guide for every woman who wants to get serious about her health. I wish I had Lift years ago—it’s inspiring, practical, and packed with wisdom to transform your life.” —MEL ROBBINS, #1 New York Times bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast “Lift is a call to action for women to value our own strength and empower each other. Anne Marie Chaker has written an impassioned guide to challenge society’s expectations of women and push ourselves to define our own strength.” —BILLIE JEAN KING, sports icon and equality champion
“I am so pumped up that in Lift, Anne Marie Chaker terminates outdated myths and shows that training isn’t just about physical strength for women—it builds mental strength and has benefits outside of the gym. This book is a game-changer that will open your eyes about female strength.” —ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Be Useful
“As a menopause specialist and passionate advocate for women’s health, I couldn’t be more excited about Lift. This book flips the script on outdated ideas that women should shrink themselves to fit some impossible mold. Instead, it’s all about building strength—in your body, your mind, and your community—and redefining what it means to feel powerful and confident at any stage of life. Lift is the ultimate inspiration for embracing who you are, owning your space, and living boldly.” —DR. MARY CLAIRE HAVER, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and The Galveston Diet
“Lift is a bold and empowering call for women to reclaim their strength, both inside and out. This book challenges outdated ideals of beauty and encourages women to redefine what strength truly means. It’s more than lifting weights; it’s about lifting your potential and your life.” —DONNA DE VARONA, Olympic champion and broadcasting pioneer
“Lift will inspire you to change for the better, show you how to do it, and help you recognize your own inner athlete. Anne Marie Chaker combines deeply personal stories with the latest research and advice to empower you to build a stronger, longer life.” —JOANNE LIPMAN, bestselling author of That’s What She Said and Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work
“If you’re not already lifting weights, you’ll find it impossible to read this book without being inspired to start. If you are already lifting weights, you’ll feel validated and supported to continue.” —MARIAH BURTON NELSON, columnist and former pro basketball player
Author
Anne Marie Chaker is a veteran journalist and professional bodybuilder. During her two-decade career at The Wall Street Journal, she held reporting jobs all over the paper, from the Journal’s regional editions to the Spot News Desk during the September 11 attack. She has covered everything from politics to news events, consumer trends, education, the workplace, and the major sociological shifts of our time. Her article “I Never Thought I’d Write This: I Am a Female Bodybuilder” has generated more than 500k views since it was published in 2020. Chaker lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her partner, Rick; daughters Juliette and Sylvie; and their overeager pup, Ninja.
View titles by Anne Marie Chaker
