Telling our stories is such an important part of the Camino experience, and it starts long before we take our first steps on the trail.

My guest this week, Eden, does an amazing job of showing just how important the pre-Camino story is. And she shows us that pilgrimage isn’t just about the pilgrim; rather, it touches the lives of everyone who knows you are going to make this journey. You’ll see.

There’s more to it, too. Eden reminds us that walking the Camino is so much more than the physical walk. So getting ready to walk the Camino can’t be all about packing and getting the right backpack and boots and other gear. It also has to be about getting ready mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

This is a story of courage, on several fronts. I hope you enjoy it!

I am always looking for compelling stories to share on this podcast. Right now I am looking to talk with people who have walked more than one Camino and who can share about their experiences bringing the Camino home.

Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

Life can be challenging at times, but what do you do when those tough times come at you rapid fire, one thing right after the next?

You walk the Camino.

Life: no small feat

The Camino: no small feat

Pilgrim Kristen will be walking with one of her best friends, and they intend to walk an "entire Camino." Find out why, along with some solid inspiration to make this journey your own.

Here are the shows Kristen talked about in the interview:

Rick Steves' Europe on YouTube

Alex Polizzi's Secret Spain on YouTube

Alex Polizzi's Spectacular Spain on YouTube

Here is the poem she shared:

I Will Leave This House, by Joseph Auslander

The Camino Experience has some exciting things coming your way soon. If you would like to be the first to know about them, join my email list and grab your free copy of my Top 10 Camino tips (that don't usually show up on the top 10 lists). Sign up here: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/tips

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

Today I have some updates on the pilgrim registration requirements and for the Francés route:

>> updates to the luggage transport services >> new places to buy gear, and >> where to find the best pizza

And then my favorite topic:

>> How do we deal with the hardest part of the entire Camino experience?

>> How do we fill our lives with what I call Camino-grade experiences?

To jump ahead to this part of the episode, when I talk about bringing home the Camino experience, go to the 14:20 minute mark.

Here are the places mentioned in this episode:

>> Caminoteca pilgrim shop: https://caminoteca.com/

>> Rock N Roll Pizza: https://rockandrollpizza.es/

>> Jacotrans, use discount code DAG: https://www.jacotrans.es/en/

In 2025 and beyond, accommodation hosts are required to collect additional data on their guests.

For a list of albergues currently using the Pilgrim Pass system, go here: https://pilgrim-pass.web.app/#/lodgings

If you would like to get this taken care of before go, here is the website: https://cms-pilgrim-pass.web.app/preregistration

If you have walked at least two Caminos, I would love to have you as a guest on the podcast to answer this question:

What has been the secret of your success in bringing home your pilgrimage?

Or maybe you haven't been all that successful. Let's talk about that too! You can let me know you're interested in being a guest here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

In this episode I am going to answer a handful of first-time pilgrim questions that are showing up nonstop on social media. Questions like:

• How hard is it, really?
• Do you have to train?
• What’s the weather going to be like?
• Do I need a sleeping bag?

• Do I need to reserve a bed or room in advance?

I would love to help you do that!

If your pilgrimage had an "alternative ending," meaning you didn't finish in Santiago, I would love to have you as a guest on the podcast.

You can email me directly at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com or complete this form to let me know you are interested.

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

My guest in this episode said yes to walking the Camino before he even knew what that really meant. Is it a leap of faith or simply saying yes to life? Either way, Ron shows us that now is the time to say take on those big dreams and goals.

After losing nearly 80 lbs by eating less and moving more, Ron is ready to take on the physical, mental, and spiritual challenge of walking the Camino.

Wondering about the "marvelous resource" Ron refers to during our conversation? That's the Camino Planning Kit, available at https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/

It will take you from where you are now - wherever you are in the research and planning process - all the way to taking your first steps on the Camino Francés and beyond.

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

What happens when you sense a loud, clear calling to walk the Camino de Santiago? Well, you do it. You put some dates on the calendar and you plan this thing.

That’s what my guest today, Noel, did. The calling was mysterious yet unmistakable, so who was she to refuse it? And the timing coincides perfectly with a big milestone birthday, so this is the perfect time to take this journey.

Everything I offer to the pilgrim community is announced first on to my email list. You can join that list and also pick up your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/

Looking for some Camino tips, wisdom, and inspiration? It's all here:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience

https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

I hope you are ready to be inpsired, because today I have the compelling after-the-Camino story of US veteran Paul who walked the Camino last October with the life-changing program offered by Warriors on the Way. (https://warriorsontheway.org/)

Warriors on the Way is a pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago that is designed to facilitate a combat veteran’s healing from PTSD and Moral Injury.

This program works to reduce PTSD and Moral Injury symptoms, which in turn improves quality of life and helps in the effort to reduce the veteran suicide rate.

The pilgrimage is led by Fr Steven Rindahl (US Army, Retired), who is an experienced pilgrim. Fr Steve has designed this pilgrimage based on his own pilgrimage experiences and supported by his doctorate in responding to combat trauma and through the US Army Chaplaincy course he developed and taught on how to provide a Ministerial Response to Moral Injury.

Do you have a story to tell? Of course you do! Let me know you are interested in being a guest on the podcast here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/

During the month of May I will be posting tips and tricks right from the trail. Follow me here:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience

https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/

Or better yet, meet me out there somewhere!

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast

Diana will be walking the Camino Portuguese with her daughter, and in this episode she reminds us that it is as important to plan the journey home from the Camino as it is to think about and plan the actual walking part.

I won’t spoil the surprise; instead, I will invite you to open your mind and heart to new ways of doing things.

In all, this is a story of getting the most out of the pilgrimage experience, and noticing before you go that reaching Santiago de Compostela isn’t the end of the journey.

This is a story of love and the relationship between a mother and daughter, who are each finding their own reasons for making this pilgrimage, and for making it together.

I also sneak in some thoughts on how to plan your return home from the Camino, in case you would like to make that transition go a little bit more smoothly.

Get your hands on all the instructions - all the how-tos – for how to plan your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés. But it has to be today if you want 20% off!

Here's where to find it: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/

Everything I offer to the pilgrim community is announced first on to my email list. You can join that list and also pick up your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/

I will be posting right from the Camino trail throughout most of May as I make my way from Logroño to Burgos and then from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona. (I know, it's a bit out of order. Crazy pilgrim that I am.)

https://www.facebook.com/TheCaminoExperience

https://www.instagram.com/thecaminoexperience/

Hope to see you out there!

#youonthecamino #caminodesantiago #firsttimepilgrim #thecaminoexperience #caminopodcast