Contributors
14 AsiaSpa July/August 2017
ELLE KWANAMBER GIBSONFull-time freelance food and
travel writer Amber Gibson
calls Chicago home, although
she’s on the road more often
than not. After graduating from
Northwestern University with
her journalism degree, she began
writing for publications like
Saveur, Departures, Four Seasons
Magazine and Spafinder. For this
issue, she sits down with Nikki
Sharp to talk about her journey
from modelling to becoming
a bestselling author, wellness
expert, media personality and
businesswoman (p.58).Elle Kwan grew up in the UK but
has called Hong Kong home for
almost a decade. In that time
she has written on health, food,
fashion and living, interviewing
everyone from Michelin-starred
chefs to movie stars. In this issue
she looks into the best pre- and
post-workout snacks that will
help you go the distance (p.52).EMILY MCCABEZOE LOUISE CRONKSelf-confessed fitness junkie Zoe
Louise Cronk is a London-based
freelance writer who spends her
days combining her passions
for health, wellness and the
written word. Having been
lucky enough to call some of
the world’s most vibrant cities
home, her list of must-visit travel
destinations has carried her
across the globe. For this issue,
she’s travelled the world to find
the 10 best hotel gyms (p.88).STUART FORSTERStuart Forster is a features writer,
professional photographer and
the blogger behind http://www.go-
eat-do.com. He was named
‘Journalist of the Year’ at the
Holland Press Awards of 2015
and 2016 for his work on
the Netherlands and Dutch
culture. His articles have been
published in titles such as the
Independent on Sunday and
National Geographic Traveller.
For this issue’s Spa Men, Forster
discovers spa treatments that
help golfers enhance their
performance and relax post
game (p.54).PETE WONGFounder of media agency, Awarna
Media, Pete Wong counts travel,
writing and photography as
his life passions. When he has
time off from the office, he
travels to remote destinations
in Asia, at times visiting resorts
and spas. His work is regularly
featured in publications around
the region, including Shanghai
Daily, ParGolf and Building &
Investment. This time, he takes a
spa holiday in Langkawi (p.110).KATE WHITEHEADKate Whitehead is a Hongkonger
and has made the city her
home since she was eight. She
escaped to the UK for university
and returned after her master’s
degree. The author of two Hong
Kong crime books – After Suzie
and Hong Kong Murders – she’s
been on staff at the Hong Kong
Standard, South China Morning
Post and edited Cathay Pacific’s
Discovery magazine. She writes
for CNN, Time, SCMP and BBC
Travel. For this issue she travels
back in time and visits hotels
that have witnessed significant
moments in history (p.94).KATE O’BRIENAfter 18 years living and working
in Asia, Kate O’Brien returned to
Ireland in 2013. She writes on
lifestyle and spa culture and is
a nutritionist with a diploma
in cosmetic science from the
Society of Chemical Scientists
(UK). She is the author of seven
books, her latest Your Middle
Ye a r s : L o v e t h e m. Live them.
Own them an Irish bestseller. In
this issue, she discusses whether
supplements can help us win
the battle against ageing (p.50).E m i l y M c C a b e i s a H o n g
Kong-based lifestyle journalist.
A keen and intrepid traveller,
design and fashion aficionado,
obsessed with the local culinary
culture. Drawing from her past
experiences as a designer living
in Florence, London, Australia
and Southeast Asia, she writes
about contemporary design,
cutting-edge beauty treatments,
local culinary culture and
travel. For the current issue, she
interviews Colleen McCann, a
fashion stylist turned shaman
(p.36).