Gus Kenworthy’s 5 Tips for Taking Your Best Trip Ever
As an Olympic skier, Gus Kenworthy has traveled quite a bit around the world. And in his travels, the LGBTQ+ activist has picked up a few tricks to ensure that you have the best time when you hit the road. He recently teamed up with Marriott International to launch Marriott Moments, a new platform that features expert recommendations and itineraries for your travels from celebs like Lea Michele, to world-class chefs like Éric Ripert of Le Bernardin. We spoke to Kenworthy to get the scoop on what he personally does on the road, and here are his top tips!
1. Bring healthy snacks. As an athlete, Kenworthy is always conscious about what he’s putting into his body. “One thing I definitely bring with me are protein bars. Sometimes it can be hard to find healthy meals, and I’m not necessarily saying protein bars are the healthiest meal substitute, but in order to do sport and to keep your body from atrophying, you definitely need protein,” the recent GLAAD Media Awards presenter tells us.
2. Try to find a grocery store. If you’re really interested in eating clean while you’re on the road, Kenworthy also suggest that you hit up a local market. “I try to find a grocery store wherever I am,” he says, “because it’s definitely easy to prepare your own meals and have something healthy.”
3. Don’t be afraid to try the local fare. However, when in Rome (or anywhere else for that matter), Kenworthy is also avid about sampling the cuisine. While he tries to stay fit, he’s quick to add, “I love eating food in other countries and experiencing their food, so I’m not too much of a stickler.” In fact, during his recent trip to PyeongChang, the 26-year-old took a few days to explore Seoul with his family, and got to taste what he described as “a spongy, soft bun that was filled with sweet red bean paste.” “It was so incredibly delicious” he confesses, “I could have eaten about a dozen of those with a coffee.”
4. Work out everywhere. And to stay in tip-top shape, Kenworthy also fits in his exercise sessions whenever and wherever he can. “For staying fit, I think that’s really just motivation,” he says. “I mean, you can work out anywhere in the world with as much equipment or as little equipment as is available.” Adding that to our fitspo mantra. “Sometimes it ‘s really easy when you’re traveling, and you can look on Marriott Moments for a group fitness class or a gym that has drop-ins, and that’s really great,” he advises. “But other times, when there’s not something available, it’s super easy to just do a bodyweight workout in your hotel room.” For example? “You can pushups, you can do lunges, you can do air squats, jumping jacks, you can do handstand pushups against the wall, or you can just go for a run,” he suggests.
5. Bring something that reminds you of home. While at the Olympic Village in Korea, Kenworthy staved off homesickness by bringing a couple of mementos that reminded him of his home and loved ones. Something he always takes with him is actually a travel candle. “I often travel with a candle, and I have this really great-smelling candle that I get here in New York. It’s in a mason jar, so it has a lid and it’s easy to pack, and it kind of just changes the atmosphere of wherever you’re staying,” he says. “It gives you a nice, cozy ambiance, it makes the room smell good, and it feels like home rather than being in a sterile apartment or hotel room, especially when you’re there for a long time.” The other token that he brought from home was a teddy bear from his boyfriend, Matthew Wilkas. “My boyfriend bought me a stuff teddy bear, a little crummy one from CVS, but it was really cute and I packed that with me because I thought it was really sweet,” Kenworthy says with a chuckle. Unfortunately, after the Games, the bear didn’t make it home with Kenworthy. “Actually, I left him in Korea — don’t tell my boyfriend that — but he served his purpose and I couldn’t pack him on the way back!”
Will you be taking any of Gus’ advice? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(Photo via Marriott)
