Skye Gilkeson

Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Skye is a journalist, television producer, a freelance writer, photographer, intrepid traveller, a qualified personal trainer and a passionate advocate for helping others reach optimal health and wellness.

Skye created The Fit Traveller as both a beautiful online space where people feel inspired, but also a place that will get you thinking differently, moving differently, perhaps looking at your life a little differently. Generally, exploring more.

After launching The Fit Traveller in November 2014, Skye decided she needed to launch herself fully into building The Fit Traveller community and creating the best quality content for readers. Skye and The Hubby hit the road in March 2015 to travel full-time.

The Fit Traveller is always on the hunt for the best and most innovative movements in health, wellness, fitness, nourishing food, luxe style and luxury travel from all corners of the globe. Whether you need help with planning your next holiday or just your family’s next meal, some tips on how to reach your training goals or what you should wear to help you get there, The Fit Traveller is here to help you create a life you love; your best life.

For a media kit featuring brands we have worked with and our rates please email skye@thefittraveller.com

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Healthy Chicken Meatballs

July 21, 2014

My meals are all about adding: ad-lib, ad-hoc and adding whatever I have in the fridge. That means I generally eat what I like, whatever is fresh, clean, fast and simple. This chicken bites creation is the perfect example. I went to buy some meat, they only had chicken mince left - so I came up with these bites. By Skye Gilkeson This is great for using up leftover vegetables in the fridge. Men, kids and fussy eaters will love the bites! Serve them as a main meal with some Cleansing Salad or make them in bulk and freeze them to serve as a healthy party snack during the festive season. [recipe]
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Detox Salad

July 21, 2014

I call this a Detox Salad because it’s extremely alkaline, simple, clean and refreshing. The kale, fennel and cucumber are great for eliminating toxins from the body. Dill and mint are good as internal cleansers and for aiding digestion too. This is a go-to salad for summer or getting back on track after too many foodie indulgences while travelling. By Skye Gilkeson Eat this on its own for lunch or dinner with a little fish or as a side with our Healthy Chicken Meatballs. You could also dress this with our Creamy Tahini Dressing. [recipe]
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How to Manage Your Weight While on Holiday

July 29, 2014

I recently went on holidays and I ate a lot. I also ate things I would normally not go near. Just by looking at them I knew they carried the amount of sugar, fat and protein in a single bite that I required in an entire day. Eating that way all the time would make me feel, well, pretty average. Trying something new while on holiday is not going to tip the scales or your emotions to the point of no return. However there are some simple hacks you can use to help manage your expanding waistline without having to book specific weight loss holidays. Skye Gilkeson Running the promenade is one of Skye's favourite activities in Nice, France. Image © Skye Gilkeson Don't get me wrong, binge eating is never okay. Some controversial new research argues that yoyo dieters may not actually sabotage themselves from ever getting the bodies they've always dreamt about. But they are making it bloody difficult by constantly re-setting expectations and habits. However, overindulging occasionally (e.g. when you're on holidays) is okay. If you ARE thinking of putting your hand up for an extra cocktail or asking for the dessert menu while you're away relaxing, there are a few health hacks to stay on track before, during and after the holiday. Train yourself into the holiday "Green Zone" Do the hard work BEFORE your holiday. Don't promise yourself you'll just work it off afterwards - by that stage you may have fallen so far off the wagon you'll be rolling (literally) down a Swiss mountain somewhere. So exercise consistently and eat well 90 per cent of the time for at least a month before you go away to set you on the right path. You will have good habits established in both your training and eating by then and they'll be harder to crack when someone puts a cheese plate in front of you - for a while at least. Research Healthy Activities If you're staying in a town. Find out if there's a hill somewhere and better yet, if there is anything ON that hill that would be worth climbing up it to see. In most cases, (except for very flat Holland) there will be something you can climb up and you'll be rewarded for it. Exercise First Thing in the Morning If you form the habit of going for a morning walk, run or riding to get your morning coffee as a part of your holiday routine, it will stick. If you promise yourself you will go out to train in the afternoon after a days worth of tourist activity, you will likely let yourself down consistently. Drink Lots of Water A Mai Tai may have water in it but just for the record, that doesn't count. Aim for two litres a day. You will undoubtedly need more though given the amount of sugar and salt and preservatives that is in a lot of food you may eat when you're on the road. You’ll need the water to hydrate and detoxify your body. Include a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar or sea salt if you can. It will help replenish your electrolytes, encourage you to drink more and alkalise. Don't Treat Every Meal Like it is Your Last Meal Although you're there to let your hair down and experience new things, you don't have to base your menu choices on a similar scenario to facing the death penalty. The food will still be there next time you visit or even the next day if you love something that much. Try a little of something, don't finish the whole dish and leave some room for the next treat. Most of those things people tend to eat on holidays e.g. pasta, pizza, fried foods, heavy meat, processed foods, dairy-rich desserts, are really only food you should eat 10 per cent of the time, when most eat them for 100 per cent of their holidays. Seared tuna salad Nicoise at Hi Beach Club. Nice, France. Image © Skye Gilkeson Seek out Healthy Options Don't forget about fresh seafood, meat and local vegetables! There are fresh food markets and organic stores all around the world. It really IS a global movement. Eating from the local growers market is not only a great way to try their home-grown fare, it’s usually much cheaper. You can also practice the local lingo and ask growers where and how the food is grown. If you're lucky, they may even give you a few new tips on how to cook them, local style. Be Kind to Yourself If you let yourself slip during time away from your normal routine, that's a good thing. It's normal, and it's healthy. Put one foot forward and follow with the other and put the fork down for while (for fried and sugary foods that is). Fresh, local fare from the markets in Nice's old town. Image © Skye Gilkeson Get Back to Basics Most of us drink a little more alcohol than we normally would on holidays. When you're back home, go off the booze for a week or two and avoid sugars and salty foods. Your body and your mind will thank you for it. Re-establish your healthy routine as soon as possible so you don't bring your bad holiday habits home. Choose organic nuts, veggies, meats and fish. Then you can start preparing for your next getaway when you can indulge again; just a little bit.

Formal Qualifications

Skye Gilkeson has a Bachelor of International Studies in European Studies (triple major), a Graduate Diploma in Journalism and a Masters of International Law and International Relations.

She is also a qualified personal trainer, running a successful business before embarking on a career as a journalist.

Skye is an award-winning journalist and has established an enviable career in the industry. She has worked across various internationally respected Australian news and current affairs programs including 60 Minutes, TODAY, Nine News and Sunrise.

Skye’s broad ranging professional and academic experience, combined with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, equips her to cover everything from hard news stories to intimate profile pieces and topical features on health, entertainment, fashion and travel.

Skye has been a regular contributor for Yahoo7 Travel, she has also written for Fodor’s Travel, Women’s Health Australia, Women’s Health Malaysia, News.com.au, Luxury Escapes, Discover Ipswich among other publications and she also provides expert comment for media on health, wellness and travel.

Please contact Skye directly for any freelance writing, photography or presenting opportunities via email on skye@thefittraveller.com.au

Skye’s Personal Story

Health, wellness and fitness

My personal road to good health has been a bit of a bumpy one. I’ve always had a passion for staying active and healthy. I played a lot of representative sport during my school years. I was constantly running around and even in high school, I loved fresh, healthy food. In my early 20s, I started a personal training business, so my life revolved around health, fitness and nutrition.

When I became a journalist in my mid-20s my own health began to decline. At 28, I had a coveted job and I was completing a Masters degree. I was flat out and rundown. It was then that I was diagnosed with a Lupus variant. The diagnosis brought my life to a standstill. I stepped back and shifted gears. Nourishing my body and starting to train and think differently helped with my recovery. I was buoyed up through it all by the love of friends and family. Despite the struggles, there have been so many valuable lessons. Becoming so unwell was a wake-up call, and a gift. It strengthened my passion for the wellness movement; for helping others to reach their goals and inspired me to get back on the road travelling. I am grateful for it all.

Travel

I caught the travel bug at a very young age; At 15, I went on a sports tour around Europe and the United States. That trip sparked the love that I have for wandering the world. After I finished school at 18, I spent a year backpacking around the world with a friend. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was 22 when I moved to Barcelona for a year to study at university. I learned a lot about the country, the culture, made lifelong friends and created cherished memories.

In 2015, I set off for the trip of a lifetime with The Hubby. We visited more than 30 countries and about 130 towns and cities in just under 12 months. There have been countless extraordinary adventures ever since and I am always hungry for the next. With each, I learn a little more about the world, its people and myself.

I hope you enjoy the journey.

Skye x