A practical guide to mentally preparing for and successfully completing your Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, now available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook.
After six Camino Frances walks, multiple Portuguese routes (both coastal and inland, including starting from Lisbon), the Via Podiensis from Le Puy all the way to Santiago, the Camino Norte, five trips to Finisterre, and the Espiritual Variant—I've had a lot of time to think about what actually makes or breaks a pilgrimage.
Spoiler: it's not your gear. It's not even your physical fitness, though that certainly helps. It's what's going on between your ears.
That's why I wrote Head First Into the Camino.
And here's the thing—I've been that pilgrim. More than once. On my first Camino, I had all the right gear, had done my training walks, knew the stages by heart. But I hadn't done the internal work. I hadn't prepared my mind for the inevitable low points, or thought through how I'd handle the unexpected.
This book is everything I wish someone had told me before that first walk.
- Build mental resilience before you even set foot on the trail
- Develop strategies for pushing through the tough days (and there will be tough days)
- Set realistic expectations so you're not blindsided by the reality of long-distance walking
- Create sustainable daily routines that support both your physical and mental wellbeing
- Navigate the emotional journey that runs parallel to the physical one
- Finish strong—because getting to Santiago is only part of the story
I've drawn on my own experiences across different routes and seasons, conversations with hundreds of pilgrims over the years, and what I've learned from my own mistakes (of which there have been many—ask me about the time I decided to walk through the Meseta in August).
Whether you're wondering about the best time of year to walk, how to choose between routes, or what to do when you're three days in and questioning all your life choices, the chat is there for you.
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Try asking My Camino Guide:
- How do I mentally prepare for the Camino?
- What should I expect on my first Camino?
- How do I push through tough days on the trail?
Spoiler: it's not your gear. It's not even your physical fitness, though that certainly helps. It's what's going on between your ears.
That's why I wrote Head First Into the Camino.
Head First Into The Camino
A practical guide to mentally preparing for and successfully completing your Camino pilgrimage. Includes a discount code for a free premium subscription to My Camino Guide.
Why This Book Exists
I've lost count of how many pilgrims I've met on the trail who were physically prepared but mentally unprepared for what the Camino throws at you. The unexpected detours. The days when your body says yes but your mind screams no. The strange loneliness that can hit you even whilst surrounded by fellow pilgrims. The moments when you genuinely wonder what on earth you're doing trudging through the rain towards a town you can't pronounce.And here's the thing—I've been that pilgrim. More than once. On my first Camino, I had all the right gear, had done my training walks, knew the stages by heart. But I hadn't done the internal work. I hadn't prepared my mind for the inevitable low points, or thought through how I'd handle the unexpected.
This book is everything I wish someone had told me before that first walk.
What's Inside
Head First Into the Camino is a practical guide—not a memoir, not a philosophical treatise, though there are certainly stories and reflections woven throughout. It's designed to help you:- Build mental resilience before you even set foot on the trail
- Develop strategies for pushing through the tough days (and there will be tough days)
- Set realistic expectations so you're not blindsided by the reality of long-distance walking
- Create sustainable daily routines that support both your physical and mental wellbeing
- Navigate the emotional journey that runs parallel to the physical one
- Finish strong—because getting to Santiago is only part of the story
I've drawn on my own experiences across different routes and seasons, conversations with hundreds of pilgrims over the years, and what I've learned from my own mistakes (of which there have been many—ask me about the time I decided to walk through the Meseta in August).
Still Have Questions?
Writing a book is one thing, but I know pilgrims have specific questions about their unique situations. That's exactly why I built My Camino Guide—an AI assistant trained on everything I know about the Camino, ready to help you plan your own journey.Whether you're wondering about the best time of year to walk, how to choose between routes, or what to do when you're three days in and questioning all your life choices, the chat is there for you.
---
Try asking My Camino Guide:
- How do I mentally prepare for the Camino?
- What should I expect on my first Camino?
- How do I push through tough days on the trail?
