A Sweet Journey: One Step, One Story, One Santiago Dream

An inspiring start to the walk.

Shakira and I have something in common. No, not international stardom or infectious dance moves - our hips don’t lie!

Though in her case, they’re saying something far more glamorous. In mine? They’re shouting, “Ow. Ow. Ow.” My lower back and my left ankle singing back up for my hips. 🎶

That’s how my mornings often start these days: my hips whispering warnings, my lower back chiming in, and my left ankle practically begging me to stay on the couch and watch Fulham FC - though truth be told, they’ve disappointed me lately too.

Still, I’m up. I’m walking. I’m back on the path.

Starting Again—But Not From Scratch

Several years ago, as I approached my 50th birthday, I committed to a health journey that saw me lose more than 50 pounds. I ran 5Ks. I felt energized, confident, and alive. But then—POP—a long-ago injury that once kept me from joining the Navy reintroduced itself with sharp clarity.

Running was no longer an option. Momentum faded. Life crept in with its usual accomplices: work, excuses, comfort. I tried restarting, more than once. But I was paralyzed by the idea of retracing old ground. I had “done this before.” As General Patton once said, “I don’t like to pay for the same real estate twice.”

That mindset held me back. Until recently.

Because what I’ve learned - what I’m still learning - is that retreating isn’t failure. Sometimes it’s survival. Sometimes it’s strategy. And every day, every single day, is a good day to start again.

Training for a Dream (That Might Not Happen)

This time, I’m not chasing the scale. I’ve dropped nearly 30 pounds, yes - but that’s not the metric that matters most. What I’m really after is clarity. Strength. Energy. A sharper sense of self.

My goal? To walk the Camino de Santiago—a 240-kilometer journey along Portugal’s coastal and litoral routes, ending in the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. My plan is to walk it in the spring of 2027. Maybe sooner. Maybe not at all.

I’m okay with that. I’ve matured enough to know that goals aren’t just destinations - they’re motivators. And sometimes, it’s the striving that matters most.

Did you think, why did the ducks cross the road?

Every Walk Has a Story

My training began not with a grand expedition, but a decision: to walk to the local coffee shop instead of driving. Laptop and book weighing down my backpack, I navigated sidewalks, trails, and traffic. It wasn’t far. But it was a start.

Now, as I continue building stamina, each walk is starting to take on its own story - some told now, others still unfolding.

Like the moment I stepped out of the house and didn’t dread the journey, but genuinely looked forward to it. Or the Japanese maple catching the morning light just right. Or the family of ducks I saw crossing the street like they owned it - unapologetically present, completely unbothered by traffic. I didn’t dare challenge their stride.

Some days, I think I want to be a duck.

These moments keep me grounded. They remind me that the journey isn’t just about distance - it’s about presence.

Investing in Myself, for a Change

I’ve spent the last few years focusing on work. On elevating the profile of retail and commerce. On teaching. Oh, I haven't ignored myself, but I haven't invested in healthy choices that pay a dividend over time. People like Ron Thurston, April Sabral, and Brian Librach have inspired me deeply. Their advocacy for the customer experience and front line retail. They also all share the same truth: You cannot invest in others unless you invest in yourself first.

So that’s what I’m doing.On championing the voices of frontline associates.

And to keep me grounded, my wife occasionally hands me 25 or 30 pounds worth of weights - just to remind me what I’m no longer carrying. I can only imagine what another 30, 45, or even 60 pounds lighter would feel like. But again, it’s not about lighter. It’s about lighter living.

My midpoint treat - a latte (skim milk please) and a view.

Moving Forward—Not to Prove, But to Become

What stopped me before was pride. Or fear. Or both.

I didn’t want to “start over.” I didn’t want to admit that I had let myself drift. But I see now that retreating isn’t weakness. It’s sometimes necessary. It gives us time to reassess, to rebuild, to rise again with intention.

Whether it’s education, career, relationships, or your own health - starting again is not failure. It’s a courageous act of progress.

So no, I don’t know if I’ll make it to Santiago. But I know I’ll keep walking.

With every step, I’m uncovering a little more of myself.With every morning stretch, every sore hip, every duck sighting and grocery haul, I’m crafting something new: Not just a healthier body. But a more connected, present, and intentional version of me.

The journey has begun. And it’s already sweet.

(P.S. - As I was writing this, I was watching Fulham FC v Brentford. Fulham came back from a weak start to win 3 to 2. Now, if only we could get those two points back from the Southhampton game...oof!)