Brian Stewart: Finding His Own Pace on the Camino de Santiago
One of the most important parts of the Camino de Santiago is finding your own pace. Never rush it and don’t plan too much…
After organizing a 50-mile walk across New Jersey to raise awareness for muscular dystrophy, Brian was inspired to take on something bigger. Months of training led him to Spain, where he began his Camino in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, determined to embrace the journey step by step.
A Journey Beyond the Physical
When Brian Stewart set out on the Camino Francés in 2017, he was facing more than just 500 miles of pilgrimage. Living with Becker muscular dystrophy, he knew each step would be a challenge – but also a chance to discover what it meant to walk entirely at his own pace.
Lessons from the Road
From the steep climb over the Pyrenees to the vast, quiet stretches of the Meseta, Brian learned to embrace slowness as a gift. Moving at his own rhythm allowed him to see more, connect with more people, and truly immerse himself in the Camino spirit. Along the way, he found himself not leaving his challenges behind, but choosing how to carry them forward.
A Complete Pilgrimage
While reaching Santiago was a triumph, it was walking the Portuguese Camino to Finisterre the following year that gave Brian his sense of closure. Watching the sunrise at the edge of the world, he knew he had found not just the end of the road, but his own way of walking through life.
Brian Stewart is a pilgrim and advocate who uses his Camino experience to inspire others, showing that true strength lies in moving forward – no matter your pace.