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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
About The author
Hi! I’m Anne Marie, and I’ll show you how to tap into your own strength.
From a journalist-turned-professional bodybuilder and author of LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives
LIFT is a movement to empower women – and help them (re) build
Speaking
What if true strength lies not in perfection, but in our ability to show up as our most authentic selves?
I’m Anne Marie Chaker, and I believe that at the intersection of courage, authenticity, and mental toughness is where true transformation happens. Drawing from the power of vulnerability, the importance of emotional resilience, and the discipline to rise above, my keynotes challenge individuals and organizations to lead with both heart and grit.
If you want to stop striving for an ideal that doesn’t fit, and take your life and leadership to the next level, let’s get real: Together, we can do the hard work of becoming the person you were meant to be.
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I’m a lifelong athlete and veteran journalist; I was part of The Wall Street Journal newsroom that won the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the September 11 attacks. For the next two decades, I covered everything from education to politics, leadership, health and wellness– writing articles that regularly topped the paper’s most-read lists.
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I began strength training after a cycle of stresses and losses–postpartum depression, the end of my marriage, and the sudden death of my father–led to some unhealthy choices. After hitting rock bottom, I was inspired by a woman lifting weights one day in a hotel fitness room.
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Soon, I began working with her coach and shed old habits. I ate better and lifted regularly. Strength training had a profound impact–it transformed my confidence and reshaped how I move through the world. Eventually, Coach T suggested I enter a bodybuilding competition. And so I competed at the OCB Big Apple in 2020, won a coveted pro card—and wrote about the experience for The Wall Street Journal.
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That story led to a book deal with Penguin Random House. The book, titled LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives, is about the story of the ‘skinny’ ideal, the unheralded power of muscle, and why women should build—rather than diminish—themselves. It is slated to hit shelves on June 17, 2025 and available for preorder now.
Keynote Topics
Courage Over Comfort: Embracing Imperfection to Unlock Strength
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Vulnerability: Turning Fear into Fuel
Key Takeaways:
No More Masking: Lead with Authenticity and Create Connection
Key Takeaways:
From Struggle to Strength: The Imperfect Path to Personal Growth
Key Takeaways:
Beyond the Comfort Zone: How to Build Mental Toughness through Self-Acceptance
Key Takeaways:
Why I Do What I Do
I believe in the raw power of being yourself—the messy, imperfect, and completely authentic version of you. Real growth doesn’t come from trying to be someone else. It comes from the courage to show up and do the work.
We’ll dive into the heart of what it means to lead with both strength and vulnerability. We’ll talk about the importance of embracing imperfection, facing discomfort, and building emotional resilience. This is for the leaders, the dreamers, the doers who want to stop pretending and start living with raw courage and relentless authenticity.
Ready to Break Free from the Wrong Mold?
Book me for your next event, and together we’ll challenge the status quo, embrace imperfection, and build the kind of mental toughness and authenticity that leads to real, lasting success.
Communications Consulting
Strategic Messaging. Authentic Storytelling. Impactful Communication.
With over 20 years of experience in high-level journalism, I understand the power of words—and how they can shape perceptions, drive action, and connect people. I bring a unique set of skills to the table: A journalistic mindset paired with deep connections and strategic communication expertise.
In today’s fast-paced, information-overloaded world, it’s not enough to simply communicate. You need to engage, persuade, and stand out. That’s where I come in. I help organizations, executives, and brands develop clear, concise, and impactful communication strategies that cut through the noise and get results.
Appearances
Live Radio/Podcasts
I'll be co-hosting a new radio show that explores the intersection of women, strength and power. Follow along to learn more!
Learn more
TV Appearances
I've appeared numerous times on CNN, MSNBC and CNBC over my two-decade career as a journalist.
Learn moreWriting
- Features
- Substack
- Health and Wellness
- Workplace and Careers
We are all wired for strength. But too many of us have spent years chasing a narrow ideal that was never meant for us. We’ve been told to take up less space, to “fit in.” It is time to release those expectations to reconnect with who we are. This Substack is a haven for any woman who’s ready to step into the best version of herself. Here, we talk about what it means to build strength and resilience, embrace aging with courage, and let go of the shame we’ve carried about our bodies not being enough. Muscle is not to be feared. Quite the opposite: Building physical strength leads to resilience, longevity, and a sense of self that no one else can define for you. If you’re ready to come home to yourself and own the strength that’s always been there, join me.
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