Take Up Space: A Perimenopause Body Builder on Her Strength Journey

A Perimenopause bodybuilder shares her story on how to take up space and the history of women being strong before skinny. 

Book author, Anne Marie Chaker, will surprise you about women’s empowerment and when skinny reared its ugly head. Stay ‘til the end and listen to a very subtle challenge we’ll give you about messages to women. 

 

Strong does things Skinny Never Even Dreams About.
- Debra Atkinson

 

My Guest:

Anne Marie Chaker is a veteran journalist and professional bodybuilder. During her career at The Wall Street Journal, from the Journal’s regional editions to the Spot News Desk during the September 11 attack. She covered everything from politics, news events, consumer trends, education, workplace, and the major sociological shifts of our time. Her article “I Never Thought I’d Write This: I Am a Female Bodybuilder” generated more than 500k views since it was published in 2020.

 

Questions We Answer in This Episode:

• [00:03:49] How did you start bodybuilding when you were recovering from postpartum depression and other life events?
• [00:08:30] How has training changed now that you’re in perimenopause? 
• [00:13:47] What is it like being a perimenopause bodybuilder? 
• [00:16:24] What are the roots of the obsession with “skinny”?
• [00:18:32] Is it true that the early woman was strong – women were hunters and not gatherers?
• [00:22:36] What is the difference between bodybuilding and figure competition?
• [00:25:24] How do you keep yourself from slipping down the body dysmorphia trail? 
• [00:33:03] What is the future of body building for women?
• [00:37:05] In your book, ‘Lift’, how do you propose women make the necessary mindset shift to own this and reclaim their physical power?

Advice From A Perimenopause Body Builder

• Connect with a bodybuilder coach.
• Proper Nutrition: Eat more, track macros, and focus on protein.
• Shifted from cardio to heavy lifting.
• Be prepared for the commitment — training, nutrition tracking, and competition prep are demanding but rewarding.

 

Life Transformation

• Better nutrition and training improved work performance and confidence.
• Feels like an athlete again after years away from sports.

 

Difference Between Bodybuilding And Figure Competition

• Bikini Division: Athletic, lean, and muscular but not extreme.
• Figure Division: More muscle than bikini; slightly different posing style.
• Women’s Bodybuilding: Most muscular category with distinct posing; fewer women compete in this today.

 

Key Takeaways

• Strength over skinny – Building muscle and eating enough transforms health, confidence, and outlook.
• Nutrition is foundational – Tracking macros, especially protein, is key to physical and mental turnaround.
• Cultural pressures run deep – The obsession with thinness is relatively modern and a backlash to women’s empowerment.
• Perimenopause isn’t a limitation – With training and hormone therapy, women can thrive and compete at elite levels.
• Role modeling matters – Showing strength training and positive food talk can influence the next generation’s mindset.

Connect with Anne Marie:

• Website - Get Anne Marie's book LIFT here
• Instagram - @annemariechaker 
• LinkedIn - Anne Marie Chaker
• Substack - Anne Marie Chaker 

 

Other Episodes You Might Like:

• Previous Episode - Retired Lawyer Shares How to Advocate for Yourself & Loved Ones
• Next Episode - Running vs Walking for Fast Fat Loss in Menopause
• More Like This - 5 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight or Gaining Muscle After 50

 

Resources:

• Join the Hot, Not Bothered! Challenge to learn why timing matters and why what works for others is not working for you.
• Don’t know where to start? Book your Discovery Call with Debra.
• Get your lean, clean Flipping 50 Protein Powders to maintain muscle and support metabolism.