In this powerful Mental Health Month episode on The ATFW Podcast, host Krissy Vann sits down with Anne Marie Chaker—former Wall Street Journal reporter, competitive bodybuilder, and author of the upcoming book LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives.

Many in the fitness industry may recognize Anne Marie from her impactful keynote at the Women’s Leadership Summit during the March Health & Fitness Association Show, where she urged attendees to empower women and girls to take up space—in life, in their bodies, and in their ambitions. In this episode, she expands on those themes, sharing her deeply personal story of addiction recovery, rediscovery through strength training, and how building muscle became a catalyst for reclaiming agency over her own life.

Anne Marie opens up about the stigma around addiction, the complexities of grief, and the internalized expectations many women carry that prevent them from prioritizing their health. Her journey is a testament to the transformative potential of fitness—not just for aesthetic change, but for healing, confidence, and purpose.

For those working in the fitness business, this conversation is a reminder of the industry’s true potential: to be a vehicle for empowerment, resilience, and holistic well-being.

📘 LIFT publishes June 17, 2025. Preorder now: Amazon

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