Welcome friends, my name is Karen and I’m “The Woman on Fire!”
Hola, Marhaba, Tashi Delek, and Hello!
I’m Karen and I’m very excited to meet you!
I’m a sassy, savvy, rootin’ tootin’ Lady Boomer with endless energy and enthusiasm for every day. Every morning, I arise with luminescent fire and gratitude for a new day of wonder, possibilities, and curiosity.
As an international explorer and traveler, award-winning writer, lifelong fitness specialist, dance choreographer, and a PTSD trauma survivor, I’m thrilled to be stepping into this new world of Substack. The quality of writing on Substack has already amazed me. Yay!
I’ve spent my life committed to my optimal emotional, mental, and physical health at every age. I have blogged about international travel, fitness guidelines, and my healing journey from trauma and PTSD on my website for many years now. I’m now stepping over to Substack.
I will be ecstatic if my posts inspire you to bravely travel, to seek a higher level of fitness or heal from your life traumas.
Why Subscribe?
I’ll be posting stories every 1-2 months.
🔥 Healing from Trauma & PTSD
Raw, honest stories from my continuing journey healing childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and life’s hardest seasons—along with the tools that helped me reclaim my life.
From programs like ACA and DNRS to somatic therapy, the power of journaling, and learning to love and respect myself, I share what has truly made a difference—so you can find your own path back to joy, feel seen and heard without judgment, and experience a deeper sense of safety within yourself.
💪 Fitness Over 50
Rather than slowing down with age, what if you became stronger, more flexible, and more alive in your body and mind with each passing year?
As a lifelong fitness and dance specialist now in my late 70s, I share practical guidance and inspiration for staying vibrant in mind and body—including strength training, cardiovascular fitness, cognitive vitality, and living with intention at every age.
These are the same principles I’ve shared with thousands of clients—and the ones I live by every day. I’m proud of my strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health. My grip is strong (and yes, there’s a powerful link between grip strength and overall fitness), my resting heart rate is 60, and my average blood pressure is 110/70. I am living proof that this way of life works.
🌍 World Travel Misadventures & Wild Stories
Off-the-beaten-path adventures, unexpected mishaps, and meaningful human connections from my travels around the world—often on a budget, always with deep respect for the cultures I encounter.
From trekking at high altitudes to sharing meals cooked over a camel dung fire, I bring you stories from my solo journeys and my travels with my daughter (Around the World with the Thurston Girls)—celebrating curiosity, courage, connection, and the humor we so often need along the way.
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Join the Family
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
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Join Me
If you’re ready to heal deeply, live boldly, and embrace every stage of life with strength, curiosity, and joy, I’d love for you to join me.
As the Diné (Navajo) people say, may you “Walk in Beauty.”
🔥 Karen
