“The seed for Berkshire Camino was planted on a day in 2017 when I walked away from a comfortable job and a steady paycheck in search of…well…I wasn’t sure what.“

In 2011 I took a leap of faith that returned me to the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts where I grew up. I was re-imaging what life could be as a then mid-forty’s divorced woman with no children by choice. I was minimizing and re-evaluating every aspect of my life. There were no limitations to what this next chapter could be. It was terrifying and exciting to get a fresh start. In time, a dream job with an organization where I thought I would work until retirement materialized. And then all of the sudden, or so it seemed, the floor gave out beneath me forcing another pivot at age 53.

As I look back now I am so grateful for the twist of fate that resulted in me walking away from that job in 2017. It was time to step up and into new challenges. Over the years since I have learned that I have so much more to give the world. What I did know for sure at that time was that I needed to take account of where I was in life, and to take time to ask myself, “…what will you do with your one precious life?” Mary Oliver, Poet

Against all odds I boldly declared to my friends and family that I was going to tackle self-limiting beliefs about what I was capable of. I set the bar on that declaration high by taking a solo pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile walk across Northern Spain. It was a Don Quixote moment for sure. I was not particularly fit for the endeavor and was overcoming significant walking challenges due to a confluence of health issues. My friends and family cheered me on; even if there was some concern that I was way over my head. I didn’t know anyone who had taken this pilgrimage before and set out to educate myself.

I was full of hope and passion and had everything to gain by trying. I had time. What else was there to do?

I. Had, No. Idea. About. What. Comes. Next.

Many people I met on the Camino de Santiago could relate to this motivation for going on a pilgrimage walk. Many who are called to The Way as it is often called, because we are at a crossroads in life; ready to cross a threshold to the next chapter.

Walking the Camino de Santiago in 2018 and 2019 (yes I’ve done it twice!) was life changing. The pilgrimage pushed me beyond my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual comfort zones. I learned how weather conditions can push me out of my comfort zone on a rainy stretch across a muddy vineyard outside of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Spain on my first Camino. Rain was blowing sideways and thunder enveloped me. All I could do was stay present and keep moving forward. Despite many challenges, I made it! I learned first-hand that we see who we really are when pushed outside of our comfort zones. Rainbows come in many forms.

Among the takeaways from the endeavor was that I met my “super hero self.” For that alone I have been forever changed. No, I can’t make myself invisible; in fact I came to acknowledge that it was time to stop hiding and step into the light to let myself be seen and heard. What most surprised me was the discovery of how tenaciously I am able to power through challenges. I now have a lived experience of what can happen when I put one foot in front of the other, taking life on baby step by baby step despite the obstacles.

There’s one last important thought I want to leave you with. Camino magic is a well known phenomenon experienced by pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. It shows up in many ways. New friends pop up unexpectedly. We find safety and respite when most needed. A lost sock that you didn’t even know was lost turns up! It is this experience of magic that resonates for a long time after the walking journey has ended.

You, my friends are bound to experience Berkshire Camino magic. We will welcome you with a big virtual hug and set you on a course for adventure whether it is on a guided day hike or multi-day hiking journey.

Our Berkshire Camino Crew and I can’t wait to meet you!

Mindy Miraglia, Berkshire Camino Founder and CEO