In this episode I am going to share the authentic story of why this walk was so transformative for my mom and I. I share about the tumultuous past relationship I had with her. How I went from anger and frustration to laughing, bonding, and finding forgiveness on our Camino and so much more! 

Here are some additional discussion points: 

• Why your intention on hiking the Camino is important

• Being honest, authentic, and why advocating for yourself and speaking your truth matters 

• Why connecting with your hosts and those serving you should be on the agenda

• People and friends made on the trail

• Why celebrating little wins matter

• And more

I hope that this podcast shows you that we can heal challenging relationships.* 

*On a side note, in reviewing the podcast I have come to realize that I too could have done a better job at clarifying with my mom when she was being slow, instead of making up a story that she was being inconsiderate. I am ever evolving and growing and would like to offer a new perspective, “seek to understand.” Since the recording of this episode, I have learned the importance of asking clarifying questions, rather than making assumptions. 

In this episode I am going to share what you can expect when you are on the Camino Portuguese, personal mishaps, and more. Here are a few things I will discuss: 

• Following the arrows
• Meals & drinks on the Camino 
• Getting your stamp credentials
• Leave No Trace 
• Shrines and churches along the way
• Services on the camino, laundry, etc.
• People on the Camino
• Tips on stretching 
• Emotions on the trail and more!

Stays I recommend on the Camino Portuguese: 

BF Suites & Apartments in Porto

Smiling Places GuestHouse in Labruje

Quinta Sao Miguel de Arcos

Estabulo de Valinhas in Vitorino Dos Piães  

Guest House Clarevar 

Casa D’Mina in Redondela 

Cafes and food I recommend: 

Eat the Caldo Gallego (Galician Broth) at “A Pousada do Peregrino” cafe in Barro

Pulperia Rial in Padron

Other Resources: 

52 Hike Challenge Kula Cloth: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/products/52-hike-challenge-kula-cloth-colorful-outdoors

Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/

Trail to Peak link: https://trailtopeak.com/

Where to pre-register for your Camino de Santiago completion certificate: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/

In this episode I am sharing about the importance of footwear, socks, and foot care on the Camino de Santiago! 

Listen to learn about: 

• Footwear and tips for breaking in shoes before the Camino

• Getting fitted with a brannock device and tips for a right fit

• Footwear features to look out for (waterproof, traction, low vs. mid footwear and more)

• What gaiters are and why you may want to consider them 

• Socks 

• Importance of footcare (blisters, hotspots and more!)

Links: 

Obozfootwear.com

REI.com

Darn Tough socks

52HikeChallenge.com

In this episode of Rise & Wander I am going to take you through gear you will need to bring on the Camino de Santiago. Whether you are staying in hotels / guest houses or staying in albergues, this episode will help you to think about and plan your gear needs. I will discuss the following: 

• Different gear you will need when you stay in hotels / private accommodations vs albergues

• The 10 Essentials

• Importance of carrying a first aid kit and what it should include

• Blister aid and how to treat yourself

• Importance of layers and bringing a rain jacket / rain cover

• Clothing plan that is efficient and works in all seasons

• Gear you may not have heard of

• Ultra Lightweight options and other considerations

Helpful Links:

10 Essentials

Leukotape Tape

Kafka’s Tie

Kula Cloth

REI Sahara Shirt

ExOfficio Underwear 

Mayo Clinic - How to Treat Blisters

Darn Tough Socks

Oboz Footwear Whakata and Katabatic

Backpacking Checklist

In this episode I will go over the four things you need to do after deciding to hike the Camino de Santiago. I discuss the following:

1. Commitment to your goal.

2. Planning, ideas, and considerations.

3. Training schedule and plans for physical fitness, ideas on training, how to steadily increase your mileage and elevation gain, avoiding injury, and more.

4. Logistics, services available to pilgrims, luggage transport, pilgrim meals, pilgrim credentials, tips on your accommodations, and more.

Resources: 

52 Hike Challenge: www.52HikeChallenge.com

Alltrails App: alltrails.pxf.io/KjngNx

How to use AllTrails video: https://youtu.be/zcMm2bNwKME

Top Santiago: https://www.topsantiago.com/

Buen Camino App for Apple phone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/buen-camino-de-santiago-app/id858222947

Buen Camino App for Android phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.editorialbuencamino.buencamino&hl=en_US

Stingy Nomads Portuguese Guide: https://stingynomads.com/camino-portugues-stages/

REI classes on hiking the Camino de Santiago: https://www.rei.com/events/a/travel - Search: Camino de Santiago

In this episode I finally get into the Camino de Santiago details!

Listen now to learn: 

• What the Camino de Santiago is, background information and some history

• Why I choose to hike it

• How I chose the Portuguese route

• Why people walk the Camino

• Who Santiago or St. James is

• Why there is a scallop shell associated with the walk

• Why I believe it’s a walking meditation

• And more!

Book I referenced is “Hiking the Camino De Santiago” by Anna Dintaman and David Landis: https://www.caminoguidebook.com/book/hiking-the-camino-de-santiago-camino-frances-st-jean-santiago-finisterre

Movie I referenced is “The Way”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441912/

Check out this Blog featured on Oboz.com from the trip: https://obozfootwear.com/en-us/community/hiking-the-camino-portuguese

Learn more about the 52 Hike Challenge: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/

In today’s episode I discuss why goals are important and how accomplishing our goals deeply impact us and I share the following: 

• Why the WHY of anything we do is necessary

• SMART goals

• Go over steps to achieving a goal

• How we can encourage ourselves when we hear negative dialogue, have resistance or run into obstacles

• How to be more kind and compassionate with ourselves

• How reframing failure into lessons is necessary and why it’s about the journey, and not the destination.

In today’s podcast I am sharing my intention of this podcast and why I feel it can help you in your life. In this welcome episode I share a little bit about my story; being a teen mom, going from depression and divorce to building a worldwide hiking movement, the 52 Hike Challenge. The challenge has helped hundreds of thousands of people to heal through the outdoors. 

We also talk about my other business ventures, experiences with travel and adventures. I also reveal that this season will be focused on the Camino de Santiago - a bucket list experience for many adventurers. Let’s get you ready to transform inside and out with the outdoors. 

Resources: www.52HikeChallenge.com

Produced by: Sarah Marlo