Strong love

The first time I saw Karen George was at an aerobics class in La Joya Sporting Complex. She stood out among the rest of us, that is, the would-be’s, could-be’s and semi-fit. She was unarguably the fittest person there and dare I add looked better than the instructor did.

Not recognising her as one of the newer faces on the fitness circuit, it was intriguing to find out that her spouse was the same weights instructor at La Joya, Damian George, to whom numerous congratulatory flyers, banners and newspaper adds were dedicated. He has been an instructor there for the past six years. Damian and Karen have been married for the past eight years. At first sight it is difficult to imagine that either one have been in the spotlight recently as they show evidence of nothing but humility. Participants of the Trinidad and Tobago team at the Eastern Caribbean Bodybuilding and Ms Fitness Championship, they both emerged winners in their respective classes. While Damian won the middleweight category of bodybuilding, Karen, not to be outdone, won the Fitness — short class category of the competition. In addition, Damian recently copped the Junior Mr TT title for a second year, winning the middleweight category and the overall competition.

With so much emphasis being placed on their professional achievements, one might think that their focus lies on nothing else. Speaking with them proves otherwise. Their passive mannerisms and nonchalant way of speaking of their accomplishments and accumulated medals and titles, turn into smiles when speaking of the involvement of their spouses in the same sport. Damian did not attempt to hide his admiration for his wife’s accomplishments. In just  three years, she has copped the Classic Physique 2002 title and several other smaller competitions locally. He says jokingly, “She has brought home all kinds of prizes, even a TV. I never won a TV so she must be doing something right.” Karen claims, “He had been trying to get me involved ever since we got married.” After five years, his attempts at her involvement led to her beginnings in the fitness arena. She then moved into her husband’s preferred area – bodybuilding. From his workplace and training base, Damian casually mentions that he has displayed his muscles in Florida, Venezuela and Washington.

Naming Darrem Charles as the person he would most like to emulate, his excitement peaks when he mentions his desire to get his Pro-card which would allow him to compete in competitions worldwide and at more competitive levels. He digresses to speak about his wife’s involvement in several activities. While he occupies himself with reading material on nutrition, weight training and fitness, Karen, an English teacher at Malick Senior Secondary School, teaches dance, weight trains for her own development, does gymnastics and gives extra classes on evenings. In spite of the hectic schedule, the couple still gives attention to their two children, Adrian (seven) and Vanessa (four). Damian insists his spouse manages everything. Karen says: “It takes a lot of organisation and making sacrifices.”

Confessing to her husband’s possessiveness when it comes to displaying her toned bikini-clad body, the more open and relaxed of the two jokes that, “He’s always on the lookout to make sure no one is taking his wife.” His passivity matches his wife’s sense of calm and control, which becomes unease when asked to take his picture. Even with bulging biceps and impeccable pecs, he asks almost distraughtly, “We don’t have to pose in our briefs, do we?” Being in the same field certainly gives them common grounds of communication and as Karen says: “It’s a lot of fun most of the time. We get to go out together to different places and that’s always nice.” Naturally neither could refrain from emphasising the importance of sleep, rest and proper nutrition for anyone interested in becoming involved in becoming fit, especially to compete. Expressing no desire to quit anytime soon they both have a long way to go but support one another enough to get there. Although the fitness field consumes a significant part of their lives and their schedules are usually demanding and tight, the ‘arrangement’ allows them to see each other often. It is a luxury that many couples fight for and they are one couple that certainly fit together very well.