Happiness for singer Karen Waldrup can be as simple as an unapologetic sleep-in. The “Just in Case” singer doesn’t feel the need to apologize for getting as much sleep as she can. Despite a schedule that keeps her on the road for much of the year—performing 90-minute shows while managing the many demands of being an independent artist—Waldrup has learned from one of music’s greats how important rest can be.
“I learned that from Celine Dion,” she says. “She tries to sleep like literally 12 hours a night because for her voice, the more you sleep, the better you sing.”
So far, that approach seems to be working for the Top 5 finalist from Season 25 of The Voice. Waldrup recently released her latest EP, Just in Case, which features the title track.
Waldrup says she aims to keep fitness in her routine, though her workouts are less intense than they were while preparing for The Voice. Touring can make consistency difficult, so she fits in exercise when she can—at a fitness studio near home or, on the road, with whatever space and equipment are available. She also pays attention to nutrition for herself and her band, while allowing some flexibility. And she considers quality sleep after a show an important part of staying healthy.
“I don’t get sleep guilt. If I get nine hours of sleep, I look at that as a win,” she says. Her standard isn’t perfection; it’s making room for recovery whenever her schedule allows.
On tour, Waldrup may spend the drive promoting a gig, doing interviews, or catching up on sleep. Once she arrives, the day can bring fan photos, venue logistics, vocal warmups, wardrobe, and the show. Then come load-out and the late-night wind-down.
“By the time we load out, take pictures, load out, get something to eat because you’re hungry, get your makeup washed off, get your PJs on, you’re not in bed till two,” she says. “That’s just the truth. You need to sleep and get ready for the next day.”
You can watch the full Karen Waldrup conversation—as well as every other episode of the Country Muscle Podcast—on the Country Muscle YouTube channel.
5 Takeaways from the Karen Waldrup ‘CMP’ Appearance
1. ‘Scaling Back’ on Some of the Extreme ‘Voice’ Preparation
Waldrup’s preparation for The Voice was far more intense than her typical touring routine. At the time, she was working out for hours, using the sauna daily, and carefully watching what she ate. Since then, she’s settled into a more flexible approach.
“On The Voice, it was like extreme prep,” she says. “It was sauna every day and workouts for three hours a day. Everything I put in my body was vegetables, fish. It was hardcore prep.”
2. Moving Athletically Onstage Requires Consistent Athletic Movements in the Gym
While looking physically fit when she hits the stage is an obvious non-negotiable for the “Best Friends and Lemon Drops” singer, Waldrup’s training goals are geared to guarantee that she hits the stage with athlete-like stamina in order to put on start to finish performance for 90 minutes each night.
“If I don’t work out, I’m not going to feel good on stage,” she says. “Even just walking a mile on the treadmill—that works. I’ve literally had like 15 minutes, and I’ll just do 15 minutes of arms.”
3. High-Octane Fitness can Be Found at the Fueling Station
Ask any singer and they’ll tell you that touring can crush any type of consistency. So Waldrup makes use of what’s available. Sometimes that even means a set of dips by the gas pump when the band stops for a quick refueling. “I’ve brought some bands in the van, or I’ll even just do triceps dips at the gas station, or squats— whatever,” the “I Hope You Dance” songstress says. “You just try to get it in when you can.”
4. Eat to Feel Good, But Indulge When the Time is Right
While her time on The Voice called for a strict nutrition regimen, she’s eased up on some of the strictness—up to a point. While going fast-food free as much as possible and keeping fish, fruits and vegetables the core, Waldrup at times will allow herself the luxury of indulging when the time is appropriate, especially when the chance to head home for family time. “I keep sweets out of my house,” she says “But When I go to Louisiana, I eat enough calories for someone to last the whole year. I figure that’ll be all right in the end.”
5. Triceps Are A ‘Problem Area’—Training Them Harder Is Her Solution
Every artist—and athletes as well—has that one pesky “problem area.” For the “Keeping the Faith” singer, it’s triceps. For that she puts in a little extra focus on her stubborn body part, while understanding that the day-to-days of show prepping—90 minutes of singing, moving, and hauling gear—is also a full-body session. “Triceps are hard for me,” she admits. “I swear I could work my triceps for 10 hours a day and I’m still gonna be like not where I want to be.”