Tarek El Moussa reflects on a complicated 2017: 'I think I'm a better person than I've ever been'

2017 has been complicated for Tarek El Moussa, but he's finishing the year feeling strong -- and he wants all men to take charge of their lives and health just as he has.

"It's been a good year and a bad year," Tarek told AOL. "I went through a very, very public divorce, which was all over the media, but it was also very good: Co-parenting, my bond with my children is still stronger than ever, still working with [wife] Christina, still filming our show. I've learned a lot about myself. I think I'm a better person than I've ever been."

In addition to suffering a highly-publicized divorce, Tarek revealed this year that he's recovering from a double cancer diagnosis. Fans knew he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 -- in fact, it was a "Flip Or Flop" viewer who noticed the lump and suggested he see a doctor -- but they were kept in the dark about his simultaneous battle with testicular cancer. Now an ambassador for the Movember Foundation, Tarek is using his platform to urge men to get checked and prioritize what really matters in life.

For Tarek, that prioritizing has led him to a few big lessons. "One, be more present," he said. "Two, take a step back from work. Three, spend as much time with my kids as possible .... and don't sweat the small things."

The HGTV star is encouraging men to not only monitor for existing issues -- testicular cancer is in fact the most common cancer in young men age 15-34 -- but to also hit the gym, start eating right and become overall well. Really, he said, that goes for both men and women.

And as he heads into 2018, it's all about moving forward. "After going through such horrific experiences back to back to back to back, now that I'm healthy, I'm just happier than I've ever been," he said.