We had the good fortune of connecting with Kilty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kilty, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
While I’m not a parent myself, one of the most meaningful examples of parenting I’ve witnessed is how travel shaped Jen’s daughter. From a young age, she was exposed to different cultures and ways of life—not as novelties, but as everyday human experiences.

As a young adult, she carries herself with a level of worldliness, empathy, and adaptability that’s hard to teach in any other way. She listens deeply, navigates unfamiliar environments with ease, and naturally considers perspectives outside her own cultural lens.

Watching this unfold has been a powerful reminder that raising a globally minded human isn’t about how many places you go—it’s about how intentionally you engage with the world. The impact of that approach is evident in who she has become.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career path definitely hasn’t been a straight line—and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. I studied civil and environmental engineering at UCLA, which felt like the responsible move at the time. But yoga kept calling louder, and eventually I made the slightly terrifying decision to leave engineering and pursue it professionally.

I grew up in Hawai‘i, so connection to nature, movement, and community has always been part of how I move through the world. Travel naturally followed, which is what drew me to working with The Travel Yogi. I spent years leading retreats as a teacher, and over time stepped into more of the behind-the-scenes role too—helping to shape trips, partnerships, and the overall experience. Having both perspectives is probably what sets me apart: I understand what it feels like on the mat and what it takes to make the whole adventure happen.

It definitely hasn’t always been easy—choosing passion over predictability rarely is—but I’ve had incredible support along the way and I’ve learned to trust the pull toward what genuinely lights me up.

At the end of the day, I’m motivated by connection: people, places, purpose, all of it. I want the experiences I’m part of creating to feel real, grounded, and joy-filled.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I wouldn’t try to plan a “greatest hits” week—rather, I’d want them to experience a place the way locals actually live in it. That’s how we approach building trips anywhere: lean on local intel, stay curious, and don’t be afraid of spots where English isn’t everywhere (it’s actually better and usually means you’ve found something more real).

A typical week would start with getting outside right away—a hike, swim, or viewpoint to connect with the landscape—then straight to food. Not the hyped restaurant, but the one locals quietly love. Long meals, regional specialties, maybe a market or cooking experience if food is central to the culture.

From there, I let the destination lead. Patagonia? Big nature and quiet moments outdoors. Piedmont? All about food and wine—there’s a reason the Slow Food movement started there. Iceland? Hot springs, weather watching, and leaning into that cozy rhythm. Basically, follow what locals prioritize.

For us, the best trips balance a couple iconic and bucket-list experiences with plenty of space for spontaneity. That’s usually where the magic happens. And honestly, it’s always the people: Guides, farmers, chefs, locals offer the connections that make a place unforgettable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We definitely want to give a shoutout to one of our long-time teachers, Jenn Prugh, and the whole community around Breathe Together Yoga. Jenn has built something really special—not just a yoga studio, but a true community hub that includes their Mandala Tea House, which offers a beautiful space for connection and nourishment off the mat too. What stands out is their commitment to giving back. They consistently support meaningful causes, including work we’ve done together like the Samburu Project, and they do it in a way that feels genuine, heart-led, and community-driven. It’s inspiring to see a business succeed while keeping generosity and impact front and center.

Website: https://www.thetravelyogi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheTravelYogi/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTravelYogi/

Other: https://vimeo.com/thetravelyogi

Image Credits
My photo, Marissa Phillips
Trip photos, my iPhone (if you can believe it!)

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