What are some of the most profound moments of transformation that pilgrims often encounter along the route?
Every moment of transformation that happens on the Camino is as unique and profound for the pilgrim who experiences it. I have seen people heal physically without quite understanding how it happened. I remember a woman who was run over by a car on her foot the day before traveling to Spain and feared she wouldn’t be able to walk. However, once she started, the pain simply disappeared. Another pilgrim was struggling with intense pain in her foot after several days of walking with blisters, but through a deep practice of gratitude, she realised she didn’t feel pain anymore. Or in my last group, a woman who had been suffering from chronic pain in her left foot, knee, and hip for months realised on the last day of the Camino that she felt no pain at all – she doesn’t know when or how the pain disappeared; she simply forgot about it, and it never came back! I can also tell you incredible stories of pilgrims losing treasured objects along the way, and these objects found their way back to their owners in unexpected and unpredictable ways.
There are also transformations that are less tangible but just as profound: regaining self-confidence, feeling truly proud of oneself for the first time in many years, or feeling a renewed passion for life and a desire to live. Other pilgrims return home with renewed clarity and make bold changes in their lives, such as quitting jobs that no longer satisfy them, starting careers they had always dreamed of, or even finding love.
What are some common misconceptions about walking the Camino de Santiago?
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Camino is that you need to be extremely fit, young, or have the ‘perfect’ athletic body to complete it. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve walked alongside 80-year-olds, people with disabilities, and those facing health challenges. The Camino is not a race—it’s a personal journey. It’s about listening to your body, resting when needed, and walking at your own pace.
Another common myth is that you have to walk the entire route. In reality, you choose how many days or kilometres you want to walk. To receive the Compostela certificate, you only need to complete the last 100 km (about 62 miles), but there’s no rule about how many days you take to do it. Some pilgrims finish in a few days, while others take their time, savouring each step.
The Camino is for everyone. It’s not about speed, distance, or competition—it’s about embracing the journey in a way that feels right for you.
How do you incorporate your background in psychology and leadership into your coaching for this journey?
Thank you for pointing that out! It’s not something I’m often asked, but my degrees in psychology and leadership play a significant role in the experience I offer on my Camino journeys.
I don’t consider myself a conventional guide, as I don’t solely focus on leading the group during the physical walk. I prepare my pilgrims physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the transformation that awaits them.
I combine psychological tools with leadership principles to help pilgrims set clear intentions that help them focus on what they seek from the experience, while also encouraging them to remain open to unexpected ideas along the way. A key part of my approach is empowering pilgrims to guide themselves with resilience and confidence, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. And this support continues after the Camino, when we integrate and incorporate their experiences into their daily lives by co-creating action plans and accountability systems and will ensure that pilgrims don’t return to their status quo after the journey.
What advice would you give to someone considering the Camino but feeling uncertain or hesitant about taking the first step?
This is one of my favourite questions! In fact, it’s something I often ask pilgrims who have completed the Camino with me. It’s fascinating to see how the vast majority have the same clear piece of advice: “Don’t overthink it—just do it!”
If the Camino is calling you, there’s a reason—one that may be bigger than you can comprehend right now. When you overanalyse it, your mind will find countless reasons to postpone it: “It’s better to wait until next year” or “I’m not in the right physical or financial shape.” This is simply your mind trying to keep you safe in your comfort zone, where nothing new or transformative can happen. It’s a natural survival mechanism—completely predictable and normal.
But when you take action in the direction your heart is guiding you—despite fear or doubt—you’ll begin to understand why your soul has called you to this journey. The Camino is a gift to yourself, a powerful act of self-love.
One of the most common concerns I see (especially among women) is the hesitation to leave their family or children behind for the pilgrimage. They feel guilty or selfish just considering the possibility. But the truth is, we can’t pour into others from an empty cup. We must nourish ourselves first before we can truly be present for those around us. Walking the Camino is an act of self-care that ultimately benefits everyone you love. When you return as your best self, you offer them a fuller, more balanced, and happier version of you. And, of course, you also lead by example, showing the importance of self-care and the courage to follow the call of your soul.
Thank you for your time – we hope we can inspire more people to walk and have this beautiful experience.
If you like to join for one of these guided experiences- check out the next guided tour in October 2025 – more info HERE