John Camp, one of our athletes, recently returned from an unforgettable journey with his daughter Lily—a 100-mile trek along the Camino de Santiago through Spain and Portugal. It was a dream years in the making, finally brought to life step by step along ancient trails and quiet village roads.
Like many big goals, it had always taken a backseat to work, family, and other commitments. But this past winter, a conversation with Rebecca Weston, a former Asheville resident now living in Spain and guiding Camino groups, reignited the spark. “Around the same time,” John said, “it seemed like everyone I knew was doing, had done, or was dreaming about doing the Camino. So I decided: this spring was my time.”
At first, John planned to go alone. But in an unexpected turn, his 16-year-old daughter, Lily, asked if she could join.
“I’ll go with you,” she said.
The two set out to walk the final 100 kilometers of the Camino Portuguese Central, starting in the border town of Tui and ending in Santiago de Compostela. They added a few extra miles by crossing into Portugal to begin in Valença, following ancient Roman roads and forested trails through small towns and villages. Over nine days, they walked nearly 100 miles.
John had been training steadily in the months leading up to the trip and felt well-prepared for the physical demands.
Lily trained too, though she got a later start. Some of the longer uphill stretches were tough, especially as the fatigue began to build—but she kept showing up each day.
Along the way, they shared café con leche in village squares, quiet conversations in eucalyptus forests, and the simple rhythm of walking together. “Every day brought something meaningful,” John said. “We got to spend virtually all day, every day, together. Just walking, talking, and being present.”
In the final days, the dynamic shifted. John found himself in more of a coaching role, helping Lily push through the final miles. “She wasn’t always happy in the moment,” he said, “but when we walked into Santiago and stood in the plaza in front of the cathedral, she looked at me and said, ‘I’d do it again if you’re up for it.’”
There’s a saying among Camino walkers: You don’t always get the Camino you planned—but you get the Camino you need.
For John and his daughter Lily, that felt especially true.
This is Why We Train
Stories like this are a reminder of what training is really for. Not just to get stronger in the gym, but to be ready for meaningful experiences out in the world.
Covering 100 miles on foot, across varied terrain, day after day, takes more than motivation. It takes joint resilience, muscular endurance, and the capacity to recover and show up again the next morning. But more than that, it takes the kind of steady, built-over-time strength that allows you to be present—for the challenge, for the scenery, and for the people you’re with.
At MPT, this is always the bigger picture: preparing people not just for workouts, but for whatever life throws their way. Whether it’s a mountain trail, a long walk through Spain, or a once-in-a-lifetime moment with someone you love - this is why we train.
