Kevin and I splitting up was nothing to do with ‘curse’ After her marriage break-up, dancer Karen Hauer has found love and is feeling more confident than ever, as discovers
GABRIELLE FAGAN
“It’s certainly nothing to do with the Strictly ‘curse’ – I don’t believe in that. Relationships can happen to anyone and it’s just life.”
She admits it plunged her into a period of struggling “to see a way ahead. I wasn’t sleeping, eating or taking care of myself properly for a while,” reveals Karen, who turned to former Strictly professional Camilla Dallerup, for life coaching to help her through the challenging time.
“I was so hurt and emotionally upset and my self-esteem was on the floor.”
The chapter has led to a new perspective on life.
“I realised I had to sort myself out,” she says. “Before, I was always afraid of not fitting in. I used to think I had to act a certain way, to be the perfect girl with the perfect hair and always smiling.
“Now I feel grounded and comfortable with who I am – I don’t want to fit the mould – and I realise beauty isn’t about being perfect.”
Her relationship with David, who she started dating in 2018, has been a blessing too. “There was an instant connection when we met. He’s a creative artist and loves fitness, so we share that. He always makes me laugh which is so sexy,” Karen says, smiling.
“He understands me on a different level, sees me for who I am and doesn’t judge me. I can be wild, but at the same time I’m also calm, collected, shy at times but also very driven. There are so many levels but he doesn’t get afraid of them.”
That drive and determination was forged during her childhood. “My mom, Miriam, became a single parent and bringing up me and my brother and sister was tough. She often worked three jobs to keep us fed and clothed,” she says proudly.
After working as a fitness trainer and winning global dance competitions, Karen came to England in 2012 to audition for Strictly.
“It was scary to start a career here, but my mom is such an inspiration,” she says. “She has such a strong backbone and never gives up and instilled that in me. As a child, I was obsessed by dancing, I won scholarships and think it was an outlet for my emotions and an escape into another world.”
Her fitness plan, Hauer Power, is symbolic of her new determination to fulfil her own goals.
“I’ve longed to do this blend of dance, body resistance training and Pilates and yoga for years. I have so much energy nowadays, which has refuelled my ambition and allowed me to fulfil my dream to show people how you can get fit, toned and strong, without joining a gym or leaving the house” she says.
Karen’s vigilant now about safeguarding her wellbeing.
“I’m much more into self-care these days. I meditate, do stretching sessions when I’m not training, and love relaxing with David and the dogs at home.”
Her plans for the future focus on resuming her career post-lockdown – her tour with Gorka Marquez in Latin dance show, FireDance, was cut short – and maintaining her personal happiness.
“David and I have talked about marriage and children, but we talk more about adopting more dogs,” she says, laughing. “I’m just quite enjoying being this new person I’ve discovered. If it happens that we have a child, I’d love that, but for the moment I’m happy as things are.
“I want to stay true to myself and I recognise all this ‘celebrity’ stuff is a kind of fantasy,” she reflects.
“My priorities are straight now,” says Karen. “I take proper time off and make sure my work, which I love, and my personal life are separate.
“When the lights of the stage go out, I know I will still have my family, my lover and my health. Knowing that gives me the all the strength I need to continue and face whatever life throws at me.”
Drink enough fluid;
Don’t smoke or use tobacco products;
Make physical activity part of your routine;