Project Camino

In 2014 Camino authors, film makers & lifelong friends Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray did the Impossible — together they tackled 500-miles on the Camino de Santiago in a wheelchair. Their story is told in their book titled 'I’ll Push You' and an award winning film of the same name. They share their story of faith, friendship, vulnerability & their new found foundation of love in everything they do. If you care about the Camino, humanity, love and how they are all connected then you should take the time to listen to this interview.

Pilgrim Amie Chilson is a World Adventurer, Entrepreneur, Journalist and Muse who waked the Camino Frances in 2017. She has been living a nomadic lifestyle for nearly 4 years, mainly in Southeast Asia. Amie loves to inspire others with her writing and videos on subjects like: local culture, meditation, life insights and the beauty of nature. She has been traveling throughout Europe for 3 months, and is now going to Bali, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Peggy Dilman walked her Camino in October 2017. A former resident of the world famous Haight Ashbury neighbourhood in San Fransisco and self proclaimed Ex- Hippie, Peggy has always believed in the goodness of humankind and thats why she wanted to do the Camino. She had heard from friends and members of her local Pilgrims group that the Camino is an amazing place where people truly care for one another. Never would she realise how true that would become until she became injured with an insect bite and had to rely on the help of other pilgrims. At this point Peggy stopped counting kilometres and started counting the Camino angels whom she met on a daily basis. Nevertheless, she persisted and this is her story.

Camino author Victor Prince is a leadership consultant, speaker, and managing director of the consulting firm DiscoveredLOGIC. He walked the Camino in 2013 and it such an impact that he decided to transform his blog posts into a book: The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain. To augment his own Camino experience for the book, he gathered stories from 100 other Camino pilgrims from 16 countries. The book centers on the 7 values pilgrims are asked to follow while on the trail and how those values can help in work and life off the Camino. Victor has 20+ years of experience in corporate and government leadership, including positions as COO of the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, strategy consultant with Bain & Company, and marketing executive with Capital One. He also holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School.

Annette Lahm & Richard Dryer live in San Diego and walked the Camino Frances this year. Annette is a wife, Mom to two boys and is only little, but very mighty. Richard is a retired history teacher and is now on the board of The Friends of Leo Carrillo Ranch. Leo Carrillo, a deceased actor, traces his ancestors to 12th century Spain and later the Canary Islands. It is conceivable that one of Leo's relatives may have taken a religious pilgrimage, and therefore Richard wanted the Camino experience.  

Camino author Sanjiva Wijesinha attended medical school in Sri Lanka and Oxford University as a postgraduate scholar.   He has been an army doctor, a specialist paediatric surgeon, a family physician and a university professor. He and his wife Dr Chitra Wijesinha have two children Shivantha and Menaka. He walked the Camino with his son in 2011 and wrote a book about the experience titled 'Strangers on the Camino.'

After finishing her first Camino Nola Vulling vowed she would never set foot on The Way again. Fast forward to 2017 and Nola has now walked five Camino's, with one lasting 109 days. She shared her pilgrimage experiences with Project Camino in the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela. Thanks for your time Nola, you are indeed a Camino Veteran!

Camino author Timothy Phillips moved from England to Canada in 1976. His careers have included managing luxury hotels and restaurants, and a brief 4 years period making sense of the financial world as a stockbroker. After a mid life crisis at age 42 became a shiatsu and then massage therapist. In the words of Peter Sellars, "all part of life’s rich pageant” At age 67, life is good. Timothy has written two books, one was an English french culinary dictionary and the other “My Camino Walk - A Way to Healing” is the story of his ongoing inner journey. Through walking the Camino twice, he has gained precious insight about his own inner journey as well as bearing witness to the journeys of others.

Camino author Margaret Caffyn was overweight, unfit but thinking she was totally prepared for the challenge ahead. She set off in search of adventure and the meaning of life at the age of 60. It seemed she had the ideal life with a good steady income, grown up family now off her hands, and the freedom to travel. She had the uniform, the backpack and good health. What more could she possibly want? In her heart and soul, she felt something was missing. She shares her Camino experiences which are contained in her book ‘Walking Back Home: Finding Clarity on the Camino.’ ‘Walking Back Home’ is not just another ‘how to’ or story about walking to Santiago. It tells an extraordinary tale of physical and spiritual transformation. It is also a great starting point with valuable information on how to prepare for such a journey. An inspirational read for anyone who is thinking of walking the Camino and a trip down memory lane for those who have already completed their own Camino.

Terry Callerys book Slow Camino - My Adventure on the Camino de Santiago speaks to the inner journey that is made in conjunction with the physical journey. At 63 years of age, Terence Callery sets out on a personal quest to conquer the grueling Camino de Santiago which ends at the tomb of St. James the Apostle in northwest Spain. He bravely writes about both the haunting demons of his past and his false illusions about the future which pull him away from mindfulness in the present. He finds his fellow pilgrims to be profoundly open and the impactful and often humorous dialogue with his various walking companions acts as a microscope revealing the intimate inner universal voyage they are taking together.

Camino pilgrim Darene Puttergill is a writer and FasterEFT (tapping) practitioner in Noosa, Australia, who helps people change hurtful past memories and the way they think so they can reclaim self worth, peace and belonging. This modern psychology tool was the catalyst for her new confidence and embarking on the Camino where she shared her techniques with fellow pilgrims and healed herself along The Way.

Author Dermot Breen shares his Camino Del Norte experience with us. Dermot Breen (56) retired from the Civil Service following his wife Jacqui’s death in 2015 due to cancer. He lives in Belfast and has two children. He is a keen surfer, walker and writer. His first book “The Edge: Walking The Ulster Way With My Angels & Demons” has just been published by Shanway Press. He is currently writing a second book based on his Camino del Norte pilgrimage in 2016. His activities over the past two years have raised over £25,000 for cancer research.

Suzanne walked her first Camino in 2012 and in the following 3 1/2 years walked 10 further Camino's. Not only did it change her life she also changed her country and profession by following her dream. She moved from Sydney in Australia to Trabadelo (173 km from Santiago) on the Camino Francés. She bought and renovated a 300 year old house transforming it into an albergue called 'Casa Susi' She shares her story with us today.

You may know Annie O’Neil from the documentary ‘Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago’ where she was a featured pilgrim as well as co producer.  Since then she has directed and produced the award winning ‘Phil's Camino,’ a film about a man who dreams of walking the Camino but cannot, due to suffering from stage 4 cancer. So he did the next best thing, he created his own Camino in the forest behind his house. It's a fascinating story and Annie shares it with Project Camino.

Andrew Suzuki is Camino Filmmaker, Photographer and armchair philosopher with a desire to make inspirational Zentertainment. Films that inspire and teach, wrapped in a great story and finished off with some good humour. He walked his first Camino in 2014 and made 2 webseries about the journey. 'Beyond the Way' which are stories of the wisdom of pilgrims on the Camino and 'Don't Stop Walking' A pilgrims guide to the Camino. All the episodes are free to watch and enjoy. Andrew was kind enough to share his story with Project Camino.

‘The Lost Gecko’ are a band who were born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2006. Since that time, 8 Ep's have been recorded. 5 in Scotland and the rest in Cork, Ireland, where they are based since 2009. Malcolm Urqhardt is the singer with The Lost Gecko and he completed the Camino De Santiago in April 2017. However, he admits that this was just the beginning of a new journey both musically and personally. Malcolm was so inspired by his experience on the Camino he wrote an album, aptly called ‘The Camino EP.’ Today he shares his story with Project Camino, I hope you enjoy the show.

A meeting with Pilgrim Sue Kenny tweaked an interest in the Camino for Ingrid Folkers. Ingrid was born in Austria and in 1973 immigrated to Canada to spread her wings and within 5 years it was clear that Canada would become her home. Ingrid was blessed with an eclectic education plus a strong background in the hospitality industry (she was a chef and hotelier by trade).  Ingrid was a stay at home mom and was an entrepreneur from the ages of 30 to 50. Ingrid completed the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Santiago in 2012 and this proved to be life changing  on many levels. She returned in 2015 to walk a selection of shorter Camino's intermixed with volunteering as hospitalera. Ingrid has an impressive list of Camino routes in her CV - Camino Portuguese from Porto; Camino Sanabres  from Ourense;  Camino Ingles from Ferrol to Santiago and continuation to Fisterra and Muxia. Hospitalera in Zamora on the VDLP and Miraz on the Camino del Norte. In 2017 she joined a group to walk the Camino Aragones starting in Lourdes/

Rui Ribeiro provides guided tours of the Camino with his wife Yolanda. Their company Ultreia y Suseia offer hands on and personalised trips on The Way. They focus on the well-being of their Pilgrims while introducing them to the rich and fantastic thousand year old history along The Way. Rui shares his journey from corporate life to the Camino with us on Project Camino.

Matt Frogley from Coastal Podiatry Group has treated many pilgrims before and after their Camino. Matt has over 10 years’ experience as a podiatrist and has worked alongside great and professional people. Treating all different types of people from athletes, young children, elderly and much more. Matt has a wide range of knowledge and loves helping people get to their best ability. In this interview Matt gives us expert tips on how to best prepare for the Camino as well as how to take care of your feet while on The Way.

Yosmar Martinez is the author of the Tastes of the Camino cookbook, recently honored by a Gourmand Best in the World award. In the last six years, she has walked the Camino four times and hopes to walk a few more routes in the near future.     She has also volunteered at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago, founded the South Florida APOC chapter, and is a board member of American Pilgrims.