World Champion Climber Sasha DiGiulian Tackles Her Next Challenge—Publishing Her Memoir
World champion climber Sasha DiGiulian on competing in a male-dominated sport, her passion for writing, and how she hopes her book will inspire others.
By Sherri Puzey
Sasha DiGiulian first began climbing at age six. Now, 25 years later, she is a three-time U.S. National Champion and is the undefeated Panamerican Champion since 2004. She graduated from Columbia University with a focus on journalism and business and has written for numerous publications, including Outside, Seventeen, and SELF, among others. In addition to climbing and writing, DiGiulian is the founder and CEO of SEND Bars, snacks made with superfoods, functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and greens designed to help athletes perform and recover better. Her first book, a memoir that “thrills and inspires” (Publishers Weekly), was published in September 2023. Keep reading to learn more about DiGiulian’s writing process, the highlights and challenges of her impressive career, and what she hopes readers will take away from her memoir Take the Lead.
Zibby Mag: How did you first get into climbing? What have been some of the highlights of your climbing career?
DiGiulian: I started climbing after my brother’s birthday party at a climbing gym called Sportrock in Alexandria, Virginia. I started competing a year later, when I was seven. Becoming the first North American Woman and third woman in the world to climb 9a, aka, 5.14d, which was, at the time, the most difficult outdoor rated climb achieved by a woman, was a really memorable moment in my career. As well as last year, reaching the summit of Rayu in Picos de Europa, a 5.14b big wall climb, with an all-female team. I initiated this expedition and brought together the team, and after a long time away from my sport due to injury and being told I may never be able to professionally climb again, achieving this goal was really powerful.
What have been some of the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in a male-dominated sport?
Being doubted and constantly questioned has been a big challenge within my career. I feel I have developed a toxic sense of imposter syndrome from this component of the community: never really feeling like I deserve what I have or that I am good enough. I work really hard towards repairing this relationship that I have with myself, but I had a very toxic incident of continual harassment by another climber in the form of body shaming and ridicule that lasted for almost 10 years before I finally blew the whistle and highlighted his toxic behavior online. I was not the only target of his attacks, but the idea that “boys will be boys” or women should just “take a joke” that they’re not in on—and that is not funny at all—has been a challenge that I have personally faced.
What prompted you to write a book about your climbing career and the highs and lows you’ve experienced?
I always wanted to write a book, and writing has been a passion of mine since I was very young. However, I never felt like I was quite at the inflection point to dive in and write it. I was waiting until the next… the next… and then I realized, there will be more of my life to write, and I look forward to writing that in my next book. Right now felt like the right moment because I have reached a chapter change in my life, and I feel really proud of this first set of chapters and my story to tell. I have grown, experienced, and learned a lot in my 25 years of climbing, and I am excited to share this journey.
What was your writing process like? Do you have any writing routines or systems that you incorporated?
A lot of the writing I do is first by hand. I do most things by hand before transcribing on to a computer. It’s my connection to my thoughts, pen to paper. I am a night worker, too. So a lot of my writing took place during the late hours of the evening into the early morning. I wish I could be an early morning writer, but my brain just reflects better at night it seems!
How do you hope to inspire readers with your story?
I hope to inspire readers to listen to their wildest passions and dreams and find a way to realize them. Even if there is no clear path laid out before you. And to harness your inner compass and let go of the judgment, doubt, and perceptions from those on the outside. I’ve worked hard towards finding and creating my own lane. I hope that my readers feel inspired to do this as well.
Posted October 20, 2023