YOU on the Camino de Santiago

Ep 102: Pilgrim Adam walks through grief and shares the best Camino advice EVER

SAVED BY WALKING!
Pilgrim Adam walks the Camino Portuguese to process and heal from some devastating losses . . . and finds his way to peace and connection.
Content warning:
My guest in this episode mentions his personal experience with suicide ideation and suicide within his circle of friends.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis situation, please know that help is available. If you are in the US, you can call 988 from any phone to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
If you are outside of the US, there is a list of hotline numbers for the countries where most of my listeners reside below, as well as a Wikipedia link with numbers for additional countries.
Again, help is available. And you deserve that help. If you are struggling, please reach out to one of the hotlines provided below, or to a trusted friend.
RESOURCES  FOR SUICIDE AND CRISIS HELP :
USA and Canada: call 988
For more help: https://988lifeline.org/
Australia: call 13 11 14
New Zealand: call 1737
Spain: call 024
United Kingdom: call 999, 112, or 0800 689 5652
For more help: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/
The charity mentioned by Adam: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
List of global suicide crisis lines from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The albergue on the Caminho Português with the heated pool: https://www.gbchostel.com/
 
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Ep 103: 5 steps to bring your goals to life today

BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR GOALS
In this episode we pick up where we left off in episode 101 by taking my #1 strategy for goal success to an even deeper level.
Then I am going to share with you five tactical steps and three top ideas that will guarantee your success in reaching your Camino goals.
 
DO YOU NEED THE HIGH-LEVEL PLAN FOR HOW TO MAKE YOUR CAMINO DREAM A REALITY?
Get your free copy of my Camino Planning Roadmap: https://pages.thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap and reach your goal of walking the Camino step by step by step.
 
WHAT'S STOPPING YOU FROM WALKING THE CAMINO?
Bust through all your obstacles by starting your pilgrimage with my September 2025 Camino Experience group. Walk with me: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 104: Pilgrim Erik finally finds the right time to walk the Camino Francés

TURNING DOWN THE NOISE OF EVERYDAY LIFE
For many people, the story of a Camino dream is a series of false starts. You hear about the Camino and hear its call, but it’s not the right time to go.
Then it is the right time, and you put some dates on the calendar, and something comes up – a significant family event, like a wedding, graduation or birth of a grandchild, a loved one gets sick or injured, you get sick or injured, there’s a global pandemic, or you have to move unexpectedly. There are so many things that can derail our plans.
Today I am talking with a pilgrim whose Camino dream has been brewing for quite a long time, and he is finally going to be taking his first steps on the trail next week.
After a series of setbacks – some quite intense – Erik from Colorado has the perfect window to walk the Camino Francés. It’s time for him to step away from the noise of everyday life and celebrate how far he has come.
 
GET YOUR CAMINO ON THE CALENDAR!
If you are sensing that it is time to set the noise aside and get your Camino on the calendar, I would love for you to join me on the trail this September. 
Walk with Nancy and a small group in September 2025 and get your pilgrimage off on the right foot. Learn more here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/
Or send me an email to let me know you are interested: nancy@thecaminoexperience.com
 
GUIDEBOOK BY SANDY BROWN
Here is the guidebook Erik mentioned in this episode: https://sandybrownbooks.com/
Sandy and his sister, Rocky, also run Pilgrim Paths, which leads guided walks throughout Europe. They offer a Concierge Service that books rooms and luggage transport along the Camino routes. Learn more at https://pilgrimpaths.net/
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 105: Pilgrim Janet does the Caminho Português her way

A JOURNEY OF BECOMING
Why walk the Camino de Santiago? Why walk it now? These are questions that will take you from the idea or dream of walking the Camino to a full-on pull to make it happen.
In this episode, Janet shares her plans for walking the Caminho Português with her sister in a journey of becoming. And without too much consideration, she knows she will be doing it her way. Find out what that means as we explore Janet's plans and the health benefits of walking.
 
WALK WITH ME IN SEPTEMBER!
If walking the Camino this year is one of your goals but you haven’t quite gotten around to planning, or if you want to walk the Camino but the idea of getting started alone is holding you back, let’s talk.
I have four spots left in my September Camino Experience group, and I would love for you to take one of those spots. Interested? Go here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/
 
JUST GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAMINO PLANS?
The Where to Start eBook series will take you from where you are now - wondering what to do first or next - all the way to getting your Camino on the calendar.
Get it now: https://thecaminoexperience.com/where-to-start/
 
READY TO TELL YOUR CAMINO STORY?
Be a guest on this podcast! Go here to let me know you are interested: https://thecaminoexperience.com/podcast-guest-request-form/
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 106: Pilgrim Colleen on the "atmosphere" of the Camino

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR CAMINO EXPERIENCE?
Colleen does. Walking the Camino isn't a life-long dream and she doesn't have a deeply compelling reason to walk the Camino. So why do it? Let's find out!
Colleen also shares the common pilgrim concerns – how to find beds and if there will be beds available when they need them, how to use trekking poles without doing a lot of flailing about, how to pronounce those tricky Spanish words for the cities and towns you will be walking through.
We talk about all those things and more in this episode.
Here are the resources we talked about:
How to use the straps on your trekking poles
How to get the most out of your trekking poles
How to pronounce Spanish place names
LET'S GET YOUR CAMINO ON THE CALENDAR!
If you are tired of dreaming and are ready to make this pilgrimage happen, or if one of your goals is to start the Camino Francés in September this year, let’s connect.
I still have three spots left in my September Camino Experience group, and I would love to have those go to three of my podcast listeners.
https://thecaminoexperience.com/walk-with-me/
Email me at nancy@thecaminoexperience.com
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 107: Maurice and some reflections of a 2-time pilgrim

WHY DO CAMINO CONNECTIONS HAPPEN SO QUICKLY?
This is just one of the questions my guest Maurice and I ponder in this episode of the YOU on the Camino de Santiago podcast.
Before he walked his first Camino, Maurice spent some time exploring the question of why he was going to do this pilgrimage. It’s a question I recommend every pilgrim ponders. You may not know exactly why you want to walk the Camino, but simply by asking the question, you invite answers that may take you off in new and exciting directions.
Here is the book we discussed: The Art of Pilgrimage, by Phil Cousineau
 
READY TO GET MOVING ON PLANNING YOUR PILGRIMAGE?
Check out Nancy's 13-eBook series and watch your plans come together. https://thecaminoexperience.com/start/ For the DIY pilgrim.
Or, let's do this together! Join the Camino Experience group in September - only two spots left as of March 25, 2025. Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/inquire
 
HOW TO PROCESS YOUR CAMINO EXPERIENCE WHILE IN SANTIAGO
Here are the two places in Santiago that we talked about where pilgrims can go to process their pilgrimage:
Pilgrim House in Santiago: https://www.pilgrimhousesantiago.com/
Camino Companions: https://www.fcjsisters.org/who-we-are/where-we-are/europe/camino-companions/ 
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 108: A journey of hope, surrender, and restoration with pilgrim Annie

THE ENTIRE CAMINO EXPERIENCE
Our pilgrim wisdom continues this week, this time with someone getting ready to walk the Camino, rather than with someone who has already walked. Today you are going to meet pilgrim Annie who is walking the Camino Francés this spring.
You'll hear what Annie says about the intersection of human spirit and Camino spirit and how she intends to explore how the themes of surrender and restoration will work into her pilgrimage.
I think Annie is going to speak for many of us, as she shares how she is being called to walk the Camino as a long walk with God, to discover what God is trying to do in her life. Beautiful, right?
It reminds me that the Camino experience isn’t a one-off experience. Yes, it can be an incredible experience, and there is so much to explore and discover along the many Camino routes. So much to see and feel and smell and taste and touch. It is truly a journey of the senses. Enjoy!
READY TO TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP?
Head back to season one, episode one to start at the true beginning, and don't forget to grab your free copy of Nancy's Camino Planning Roadmap:
https://thecaminoexperience.com/roadmap/
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 109: A couple's pilgrimage on the Camino Francés with Jarrett & Amy

WHAT IF YOU ONLY HAVE 21 DAYS?
How do you break up the Camino Francés route if you have only 21 days for your pilgrimage? Jarrett and Amy tackled that challenge and came up with a plan that suits them perfectly. Find out how they did that, using this podcast and my Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide.
Be the first to know when the audio guide gets its remodel and goes on sale at the end of April 2025.
Go to https://thecaminoexperience.com/promo/
Here is the planning tool we talk about: https://godesalco.com/plan Full instructions for using the Godesalco tool and for how to plan your entire Camino journey are in the audio guide!
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 110: Pilgrim Sandra and her well thought out plan for the Caminho Português

READY FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF PILGRIM WISDOM?
It's all here! Pilgrim Sandra is taking a thoughtful and well thought out approach to her Camino experience. There's gold in here!
Here is the pilgrim planning resource in Porto (Nicoletta) that Sandra used: https://your-camino.com/ 
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED?
If you have already walked one of the Camino routes, I would love to hear from you about what challenges you faced in returning home from the Camino. You can take the survey here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/aftersurvey/
BE ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO GET THE NEWLY REMODELED "CAMINO PLANNING KIT"!
Promotion coming the last weekend in April. Let me know you are interested here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/promo/
 
#youonthecamino#caminodesantiago#firsttimepilgrim#thecaminoexperience#caminopodcast

Ep 111: A deeply personal and spiritual journey with pilgrim Kimberly

6 FRIENDS MAKE THE JOURNEY TO SANTIAGO
Kimberly shows us the value of making this pilgrimage with friends, with "your people."
Any way you do it is valid, and I believe that each person ultimately chooses the way that is best for them, but there is definitely something to be said for sharing this journey with people who know you well, who know you at your best and at your worst and who love you anyway.
Did someone say cheesecake?!? Yes! Here is where you find the best cheesecake in Santiago de Compolstela: Airas Nunes Café (easy to find with Google maps or similar)
 
GET YOUR CAMINO PLAN TOGETHER - 20 % OFF!
The promotion on the Camino Planning Kit starts on Friday, April 25, here: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/
 
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM
I will be posting right from the Camino trail 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

Ep 112: Your Camino, my Camino, our Camino, with Clarie & Richard

WHAT CHALLENGES DO COUPLES FACE ON THE CAMINO?
Claire and Richard walked the Camino Francés in 2023 and had the time of their lives. While they walked the same trail, the same day-to-day stages, and they stayed in the same places every night, they still had their own unique experiences.
What is it like to walk the Camino with a partner? Well, it's time to find out.
The book we talked about is called In Movement There is Peace: Stumbling 500 Miles Along the Way to the Spirit, by Elaine Orabona Foster and Joseph Wilbred Foster III.
 
NOW THROUGH MAY 6 - 20% OFF THE CAMINO PLANNING KIT!
Imagine a box delivered to your doorstep with everything you need – all the instructions, all the how-tos – for how to plan your pilgrimage on the Camino Francés.
Imagine that rather than searching high and low on the internet to find the answers you need, you have it all in one place, at your fingertips, on one website or on in one app.
That is the Camino Planning Kit, and now through May 6, 2025, you can take 20% off and get started right away with putting together your pilgrimage plan.
Here's where to find it: https://thecaminoexperience.com/kit/
 
FOLLOW ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS
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

Ep 113: Pilgrim Diana starts with the beginning AND the end in mind

THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, AND HOW OF IT
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.
 
LAST DAY TO TAKE 20% OFF THE CAMINO PLANNING KIT!
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/
 
DON'T MISS ANYTHING!
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/
 
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM
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

Ep 14: Warrior on the Way Paul shares his inspiring Camino story

WHEN HEALING TAKES PLACE ON THE PILGRIMAGE TRAIL
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.
 
JOIN ME ON THE PODCAST?
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/
 
FOLLOW ME ON THE CAMINO FRANCÉS
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

Ep 115: Pilgrim Noel and the unmistakable call to walk the Camino

SAY YES. YES, THIS IS POSSIBLE.
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.
 
DON'T MISS ANYTHING!
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/
 
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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

Ep 116: Pilgrim Ron says a big YES! to walking the Camino Francés

MAKING MEMORIES, LIVING HIS DREAMS
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

Ep 117: First-time pilgrim FAQs plus updates from the trail (part 1 of 2)

LET'S CLEAR UP A FEW THINGS!
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?
READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?
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