Karen Fischer

Meet Karen, our Gold Coast girlfriend who went to Sydney for her modeling career. Since leaving, she has hosted the kids' TV show, "What's Up Doc" and more recently has become a nutritionist. Karen's passion in this area is evident and currently she is working on writing her own book and has a column in COSMOPOLITAN magazine. You can read Karen's nutritional advice at healthbeforebeauty.com.

What you do now (job/career):

Writer - currently writing a health book and I have a health column in COSMOPOLITAN magazine.

How you got there:

I studied to be a nutritionist at Nature Care College in Sydney and UNE Armidale. I enjoyed writing so I started writing a book about nutrition.

About yourself (likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses):

My determination has helped me get through the tough times, even when I had initial knock backs from publishers.

I am hopeless at sport and hate exercise but I feel really crappy when I don't do it!

Things you are most proud of / greatest achievement:

I am proud that I have had the guts to follow my dream to become a successful writer. I'm proud that I worked as a TV host and of course, I am most proud of my daughter.

Your biggest challenge:

I have trouble making the time to exercise and do boring paperwork. I would rather be writing or catching up with friends.

Strategies you used to overcome challenging situations:

When I'm really stressed I relax myself by doing breathing exercises. When I was a teenager, I hated my life but I told myself, "One day my life will be fantastic", and I'd dream about that day.

If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?

I would have started writing earlier and I wouldn't have been so shy at school. (Oops! That's two!)

Advice to younger girls:

Don't be ruled by what other people think of you. You can't please everyone and you will end up with fewer friends if you don't just be yourself. Being yourself and working on your self-confidence will help you to have a fantastic life!