Meet Katrina, a BSc Certified Nutritionist and former yacht crew member who transformed her challenging onboard food experiences and personal body image struggles into a powerful mission. Through The Yacht Nutritionist, she empowers fellow crew members to break free from food obsession, reclaim their wellness, and rebuild confidence both at sea and ashore. Leveraging scientific expertise and a proven methodology, Katrina guides yacht professionals on a transformative journey toward holistic health and self-discovery.
What Made Me Leave Yachting?
I spent six unforgettable years permanent live onboard, and over 10 years in the industry in which gave me everything from adventure to exhaustion, luxury to loneliness. I predominantly worked as a Spa Stew on big boats 70m+ but in my early days I was chief stew on smaller yachts with a life long passion for health and wellness. I was a yoga instructor before yachting, managing a bustling yoga studio, and through my work on yachts I always spent my leave developing my skills through further certifications in yoga, pilates and massage - so I was quite the all-rounder - but something wasn’t quite right as I found my mental health really suffering onboard which was really affecting all aspects of my life.
For anyone who’s been in yachting, there’s an unspoken understanding that the job is both thrilling and exhausting. On one hand, you’re living this life that seems straight out of a luxury travel blog, working with incredible crew members, visiting breathtaking destinations, brushing shoulders with the highest echelons of the world and earning a pretty good income. But on the other hand, there are intense, unpredictable hours, mental and emotional challenges, and there can be a sense that your life is on pause when you’re out at sea, and you often just ‘want more’ from life. For me it was more purpose.
The real turning point for me came when I noticed how deeply yachting was affecting my relationship with food, my body, and my mental health. My first Med season I ever worked, I gained about 10kg from stress-eating and binge eating and felt like I had no control over food with the food abundance and everything available at your fingertips. This was something I heavily controlled prior to yachting - in hindsight I was too controlling but working nonstop hours, full access to all these high sugar & super palatable foods, and having little time for rest or self-care led me into an awful cycle of binging and restricting.
At first, I blamed the demands of yachting for throwing me off balance, but looking deeper, I realized it wasn’t the job. It was my own relationship with food that was too strict, with rules that just weren’t sustainable. I realized I needed a way of eating that would nourish me physically and mentally—something that would support my health and happiness, both on and off the boat.
So, I made a choice. I decided to take a step back from yachting to focus on my own growth, health, and well-being. I left yachting to start a personal journey, and I became a full-time university student at the age of 28, to truly understand the science of nutrition and stop listening to BS nutrition information that is so common out there on social media. This journey has been one of the most rewarding of my life, and it led me to a balanced, flexible and positive approach to food and health. Now, as a nutrition coach, I’m passionate about helping others—especially those in yachting—find that same balance. I want others to know that you don’t have to choose between an exciting career and a healthy life. With the right approach, you can have both
What struggles or challenges did you face during your transition?
Transitioning out of yachting was eye-opening in so many ways, but one of the biggest shocks was losing the financial cushion that comes with life onboard. In yachting, everyday expenses are covered for you— your accommodation, all food, toiletries— and you don’t even think twice about, and grow kind of accustomed to it. It’s such a unique setup that allows you to save a significant portion of your income, and stepping away from that to start paying for rent, groceries, and utilities felt like a stark reality check. Especially as a university student at 30 years old and so used to pulling in a good monthly income, I felt like I was definitely going backwards at times financially and that was scary.
Another challenge was the isolation. On yachts, you’re constantly surrounded by people—your crew family. There’s always someone to talk to, work out with, or grab a drink with, and everyone understands the ins and outs of the yachting lifestyle. It’s an instant bond, and even though it can be intense at times, it’s also comforting. On land, that connection isn’t as automatic. You don’t have that built-in support system, and it can feel a little lonely. I went from being surrounded by a team to living in a flat on my own, trying to figure out how to create a social life that didn’t revolve around the unique rhythms of yachting.
What really helped me navigate this transition, though, was having a strong sense of purpose. I didn’t leave yachting to dive into a mundane 9-to-5 job. Instead, I decided to go to university and study something I was deeply passionate about—nutrition. Being a student gave me structure and direction, and I found myself in an environment that was all about learning and personal growth. Every lecture, assignment, and exam felt like a step closer to building the life I envisioned for myself. It was exciting and challenging in a completely different way than yachting had been.
How did you prepare for your career change?
I didn’t actually plan to be doing what I am now as The Yacht Nutritionist, it just kind of happened. By this I mean, when I was studying nutrition, I never once thought to myself “I am going to help yacht crew with food, their food behaviours and food psychology”.
During Uni I actually did a lot of temp of yachts. I took a 1 year leave of absence from my studies during COVID, the university was actually closed anyway and all classes went only, so I just out my studies on pause and I went back to yachting. It was then that I started to see a lot of crew struggling with the same issues I had experienced, but now I had the answers.
When I graduated, I was actually looking for a job in research and development, but some stewardesses I knew asked if I could help them, and I started taking private clients, and they were all yacht crew. So my career change wasn’t about leaving the industry but about evolving within it. I’ve blended my yachting experience with my passion for nutrition to create a role that’s entirely unique—specializing in yacht crew nutrition and wellness. Today, I’m proud to say that I’m helping crew members live healthier, more balanced lives, while still being deeply connected to the world that inspired me in the first place.
What industry or field are you working in now?
I now work in a unique niche under my brand name The Yacht Nutritionist, blending my passion for wellness with my yachting background. I specialize in helping crew navigate the challenges of their demanding lifestyle by improving their relationship with food, addressing health concerns like overeating, binge eating, bloating, gut health and supporting overall well-being.
As the first nutritionist to focus exclusively on yacht crew, I’ve created a role that didn’t exist before—offering coaching, tailored supplements, and a whole online program to help crew thrive onboard. While I no longer work full-time on yachts, my boyfriend is a yacht captain, and my life remains closely tied to the industry. It’s rewarding to make such a meaningful impact in a world I love.
How does your current career compare to your time in yachting?
My current career as a yacht crew nutritionist is incredibly rewarding because it’s all about giving back. While my time as crew was filled with adventure and excitement, it also exposed me to the unique challenges yachties face—long hours, unpredictable schedules, and the struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Now, I get to turn those experiences into something transformative, helping crew take control of their health and thrive both mentally and physically.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching my clients go from feeling stuck—whether it’s with emotional eating, bloating or low energy—to thriving. Seeing crew regain their confidence, find balance with food, and truly enjoy life onboard again is what drives me every day. Yachting is supposed to be fun and exciting! But crew can often get bogged down if they dont have the right support and guidance. I have the privilege of guiding them through challenges I understand firsthand, and it feels incredible to know and literally see – through physical transformations– that the work I do, changes lives.
What advice would you give to someone considering leaving the yachting industry?
Leaving the yachting industry is a big decision, but it can also be an incredible opportunity for growth and reinvention. We can often get so caught up in the fast paced lifestyle of yachting, we don’t think about life after yachting but this one the most important things you need to plan for because yachting is not forever, especially for women.
My advice would be to take the time to reflect on what you truly want for your future. If you’re feeling burnt out or seeking something more aligned with your passions, don’t be afraid to explore new paths—you’re not limited to just one type of career.
I’d also recommend planning ahead. Transitioning away from yachting means stepping into a new reality, where you’ll need to manage things like rent, utilities, and cooking your own meals—things that were taken care of onboard. It’s a shift, but it’s also liberating. Being financially prepared, having a clear sense of purpose, and gaining new skills will make the transition smoother.
Another piece of advice is to stay connected to the parts of yachting that you love. For me, I’ve been able to blend my new career with my passion for yachting. If there’s a way to stay involved in the industry, even if it’s in a different capacity, it can help ease the transition and keep you motivated.
Finally, trust that you have the skills and experiences that will serve you well in your next chapter. Yachting teaches you to be adaptable, resourceful, and resilient—traits that will help you thrive no matter what direction you take. And remember, change is challenging, but it’s also a powerful opportunity to build a life that truly aligns with who you are and what you want to create for yourself.
For more information on how YOU can change your nutrition, follow @the.yachtnutritionist
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