Former professional cyclist Jesper Skibby, 61, has found a balanced lifestyle after years of extreme control and subsequent chaos following the end of his cycling career. Skibby, who once held the Danish record for Tour de France starts and achieved stage wins in all three major cycling races, struggled to adapt to life after professional cycling.

After retiring in 2000, Skibby experienced a period of decline, marked by unhealthy habits and significant weight gain. He described feeling lost and without identity, leading to a period of substance abuse and poor diet.

During his cycling career, Skibby maintained an extremely low weight of 66 kilograms at 1.90 meters tall, which he acknowledges was unhealthy. This strict control over his body contrasted sharply with the lack of control he experienced after retiring.

Later, Skibby met his wife, Mette, and found a job in the sports world, which helped him regain a sense of identity. He participated in the Tv2 experiment “Cheat Your Age” in 2023, where he was introduced to intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting, which involves eating within an eight-hour window and fasting for 16 hours, has had a transformative impact on Skibby’s health and well-being. He credits this practice with providing him with increased energy and control over his body.

Today, Skibby maintains a weight of around 91 kilograms and has found a balanced approach to health. He emphasizes listening to his body rather than adhering to strict rules, a stark contrast to the rigorous control that defined his cycling career. Skibby is now grateful for his body’s resilience and advocates for a balanced, intuitive approach to health.