Why We Walk: Gemma Brierley on the Camino’s Power to Transform

Описание: In this deeply moving and insightful episode of The Way to Your Why Podcast, host Efrain Mendoza sits down with Gemma Brierley, daughter of the legendary John Brierley, whose Camino guides have helped millions of pilgrims navigate not only the path to Santiago but also the inner journey that unfolds along the way.

What begins as a conversation about guidebooks quickly becomes a heartfelt reflection on transformation, legacy, purpose, and the spirit of the Camino de Santiago. Gemma shares her personal story of growing up surrounded by the Camino, walking her first pilgrimage at 18, and slowly, almost unintentionally, becoming part of her father’s life’s work. Her voice brings warmth and authenticity to the story behind the world’s most beloved Camino guides.

She opens up about how her father discovered the Camino by pure curiosity near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, how walking became a turning point in his life after years of stress, and how he felt called to create guides that combined the physical and the spiritual path, something no one had done before. Gemma also reveals the incredible dedication behind the early editions: hand-tracking kilometers, pushing a bike through sections of trail, and reviewing routes long before GPS existed.

As a psychotherapist, Gemma brings a unique lens to the conversation, describing the Camino as a place where time slows down, reflection becomes possible, and unnecessary weight, physical or emotional, falls away. She explains why the Camino is “the university of life,” how walking can mirror our decision-making in everyday life, and why intentionality makes a pilgrimage different from a simple hike.

Gemma also offers practical and heartfelt advice:
• why there is no right or wrong way to walk the Camino
• how to choose between carrying your backpack or using luggage transport
• her tips for walking in winter, staying warm, and planning distances
• how to pace yourself at the beginning so the Camino unfolds naturally
• why pilgrims often return again and again after their first journey

One of the most touching moments comes when Gemma shares a personal memory of her father setting out for a Camino after stopping cancer treatment, putting on his rucksack, giving a thumbs-up, and walking out the door with renewed joy and purpose. It is a powerful image of what the Camino can mean to a person’s spirit.

Throughout the episode, Gemma reminds us that the Camino is not defined by its popularity or by any guidebook, but by the people who walk, the community that forms along the way, the generosity of locals, and the ancient energy that has been transforming lives for centuries. She also speaks with gratitude about the opportunity to continue her father’s work and about the privilege of helping pilgrims feel supported, informed, and inspired.

Whether you are planning your first Camino, have walked multiple routes, or simply feel called toward a journey of reflection and meaning, this episode will touch your heart and ignite your spirit. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of why millions of people around the world choose to embark on this ancient pilgrimage, and why so many return to rediscover themselves again and again.

If this conversation resonates with you, please like, comment, and subscribe. Share your questions, stories, or future episode ideas, your voice helps build our pilgrim community.
And as always, Buen Camino.

Chapters

01:32 Welcome & who is Gemma Brierley
03:55 How John discovered the Camino & began the guides
11:13 Gemma’s many Caminos & favorite routes (Inglés, Finisterre, etc.)
12:53 Camino as “the university of life” & psychotherapy insights
18:06 Backpack vs luggage transport: your Camino, your way
21:08 Walking in different seasons & winter tips for pilgrims
24:54 Lost in the mist: generosity and miracles on the Camino
37:22 Remembering John & Gemma’s final advice for future pilgrims

💛 Subscribe, like, and comment if this inspired you.
🎧 Buen Camino, pilgrims.

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