How Walking the Camino at 19 Sparked a Lifelong Journey of Personal Growth

“The Camino didn’t just take me through Spain—it took me deeper into myself.” 

At 19, I didn’t set out looking for a life-changing experience.  I didn’t have a five-year plan. I wasn’t chasing answers.  I simply felt a pull—and followed it. 

That pull led me to the Camino de Santiago, a legendary long-distance hiking route that winds across northern Spain. At the time, I had no idea this journey would shape the rest of my life. I just knew I needed to walk. 

A Trail That Became a Turning Point 

The Camino is ancient, quiet, and alive with meaning. For weeks, I walked through ever-changing landscapes—sun-drenched fields, misty villages, and eucalyptus-scented forests. I carried everything I needed on my back, moving with nothing but the rhythm of my breath and my boots on the ground. 

There were hard days.  Days when I questioned what I was doing.  Days when the road felt endless and my doubts louder than my steps. 

But in between those moments, something beautiful happened.  Clarity arrived.  Connection deepened.  And for the first time in my life, I started to feel in tune—with the world, with others, and with myself. 

The Camino: A Lesson in Slow Travel and Self-Discovery 

Looking back, I see that personal growth doesn’t always start with a plan.  Sometimes, it begins with a single step. 

The Camino taught me the power of slow travel—of moving through the world with presence instead of urgency. It reminded me that the most meaningful discoveries don’t come from rushing toward a destination, but from embracing the journey itself. 

Each day brought something simple but profound: 

• A shared meal with strangers who became friends 

• A sunrise over a quiet valley 

• A conversation that unlocked something I hadn’t realized I was holding 

  
  

The more I walked, the more I understood: this wasn’t just a path through Spain.  This was a path into myself. 

Trusting Your Gut: The Compass Within 

At 19, I didn’t have language for what I was experiencing. I just knew it felt right. And that’s what makes long-distance hiking so powerful—it teaches you to trust your gut. 

When the terrain gets tough, you learn resilience.  When you’re alone with your thoughts, you learn to listen.  When the map isn’t clear, you learn to trust your sense of direction—not just geographically, but emotionally and spiritually. 

The Camino awakened a kind of inner compass I’ve followed ever since. 

How One Walk Changed Everything 

I couldn’t have known then that those steps would lead me to a career in travel, storytelling, and guiding others. I couldn’t have predicted that the lessons I learned on the Camino would form the foundation for what I now create through wellness tourism and guided hiking tours. 

But that’s the gift of walking your path:  You don’t need to know exactly where it leads.  You just need to begin. 

From the Camino to Vancouver Island: A Path Continues 

Today, I bring those same values to The PlaidPath—where our guided hiking tours across Vancouver Island offer something deeper than sightseeing. They offer slow travel, intentional reflection, and the space to listen to what your next chapter might be. 

If you’re craving time in nature, clarity of mind, or simply a reset from the rush of daily life, The VAN to VIC Trek might be your place to begin. It’s a journey along the Trans Canada Trail through some of the most stunning landscapes in BC—a journey designed for personal growth, reconnection, and flow. 

This isn’t just about where you’re going.  It’s about how you move through the world to get there. 

Your Journey Starts with One Step 

If there’s a voice inside you wondering if it’s time to change direction, to pause, to reconnect—trust your gut. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just a willingness to begin. 

Because sometimes, it’s the steps you take at 19—without a plan or a map—that lead to a life you never could’ve imagined. 

Explore your own turning point with The PlaidPath. Learn more about our offerings at www.plaidpath.ca and take that first step toward something meaningful.