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Karen M Larrea states that she would change nothing about her teenage years, where she found international fame as a member of the Latin pop band Carrousel. So why did she retire from the public eye in her 20s? And why does she have stern advice for her daughter as she embarks on an entertainment career?

She states that she never experienced the dark side of the music industry as a child and young adult. But shortly after the breakup of her band, she fell in love with a man. This man, who was to become her husband, disapproved of her career, and pressured her to give it all up. Today, she realizes that during this time, she essentially discarded her entire identity.

After 15 years of marriage, Larrea’s relationship collapsed. All of a sudden, she had to learn how to prioritize her own happiness once again, while also raising her two daughters. In the following years, Larrea made many mistakes yet slowly managed to find herself. In this episode of The Healing List, she explains how she was able to overcome these difficult years and how she’s become a better person, despite the hard times.