Walk, Wonder, Repeat: A Pilgrim’s Way to Healing with Colleen Sims

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July 3, 2025 • 44 mins

What happens when a self-described princess who's afraid of dogs, cows, and getting dirty decides to walk 800 kilometers across Spain with everything she owns on her back?

Meet Colleen Sands, author of the blog "Then We Walked," who transformed from a cancer survivor seeking proof of life into a seasoned pilgrim who has completed 22 Caminos. Her journey began with a childhood dream sparked by a 1960s TV show and evolved into a life-changing adventure that opened her eyes to minimalist travel and global citizenship. We explore the history and significance of the Camino de Santiago, the profound personal transformations that happen when you walk alone with your thoughts, and how travel can shift your perspective on everything from material possessions to global responsibility. Colleen shares practical wisdom about ultra-light packing for months-long journeys, leading walking groups without actually walking together, and why she believes everyone is capable of completing a Camino with the right preparation.

Join us for this conversation about finding courage, embracing discomfort, and discovering that the person who starts the journey is never the same one who finishes it.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

What led Colleen to her first Camino after a cancer diagnosis
Why walking solo became a turning point
How the Camino connects past and present, history and healing
The shift in mindset from tourist to traveller
Letting go of things both physical and emotional
What walking around the world taught her about humanity

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Then We Walked Website | https://thenwewalked.com
Facebook | www.facebook.com/groups/walkingthecaminodesantiago
Instagram | @thenwewalk
YouTube | www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhj3ETCFLZaqyVC4o8pqBA

BEST MOMENTS:

"I love the way you put, everybody has their own walk. Because I'm sure everybody had a reason, not just, oh, here's the insta reason for going on a walk."

"The person that started was not the same person that finished that hike."

"The more you travel, the more you realize that we are more the same than we are different. But we can always learn to appreciate our differences."

"You'd be amazed how much you really don't need."

"If you can become a citizen of the world, then you start thinking about everybody's family."

"There's always deep down a reason why somebody's there. And you don't share that if you don't wish to. But I've come to the conclusion that there's always something."

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