Tarek El Moussa Gets Candid About Overcoming Divorce and Cancer: ‘I’ve Completely Rebuilt Myself’

He may have gone through a devastating divorce after battling thyroid and testicular cancer, but Tarek El Moussa has come out feeling better and stronger than ever. The Flip or Flop star, whose divorce with ex-wife Christina Anstead was finalized in 2017, recently opened up about how turning his life around has made him the happiest he’s ever been.

“I’ve absolutely changed a lot,” the 37-year-old recently admitted to Us Weekly. “How I think, how I feel, my mindset, my thoughts on things. I’ve completely rebuilt myself and it’s a very, very good feeling.” Tarek and Christina — formerly known as Christina El Moussa — took fans by surprise when they announced their split in 2016.

Tarek, who coparents their kids — daughter Taylor, 8, and son Brayden, 3 — with Christina, 35, revealed that his past struggles have shaped him into the person he is today.

“I had an opportunity in my life to experience some very, very traumatic stays. From cancer and divorce, where divorce was debilitating to me,” the TV personality explained. “I know what real pain feels like, if that makes sense. Years ago before I knew what pain felt like, I look at it now and I’m [like], ‘This is child’s play, this is a walk in the park.’ However bad things can be today, I compare them to how they were and I know it’ll never be like that again.”

The wounds of his failed marriage may have healed with time, but that’s not the only good thing to happen to Tarek as of late. “My doctor, he told me no more tests and it’s totally clear and I’m cancer-free,” the dad-of-two happily shared. “So, that’s some pretty good news. … I feel really, really great.”

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Now that Tarek has his health back, the only thing missing from his life is a significant other. “My life’s been going really well and everything’s great, I’m super happy,” he dished to the outlet. “The only thing missing in my life is a best friend and that’s one thing I do miss about a relationship.”

Christina — who tied the knot with her new husband, Ant Anstead, last January before announcing they are expecting their first child together — may have moved on, but Tarek said he isn’t in much of a rush. “I’m thinking about it, I’m hopeful about it. I’m not jumping into anything. I feel like there’s hope for me.”

We hope you get everything you wish for, Tarek!