Training for the Camino After a Heart Attack: One Man’s Return to Hiking | HikeStrong | Ep. 36

In this episode of the Hike Strong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Joel — a 63-year-old retired physician who went from a heart attack, beta-blockers, and years of declining fitness… to completing the Camino de Santiago and rediscovering what he’s capable of.Nine months before this conversation, Joel reached out with a simple question:Can I actually do this?After a STEMI in his 40s, years of weight gain, and the limitations of beta-blockers, Joel felt out of shape, uncertain, and honestly — afraid of elevation. But he also had a growing list of adventures he didn’t want to miss.This episode follows that journey.Joel shares what it felt like to start over… What it was like training in a completely flat environment…And how his confidence slowly returned — one walk, one stair climb, one small win at a time.We talk about:The mental side of rebuilding after a cardiac eventWhat it feels like to exercise on beta-blockersReclaiming identity after years away from fitnessTraining alongside his wife and staying accountableThe moment preparation turns into beliefAnd ultimately, what the Camino de Santiago meant to him.From quiet coastal mornings along the Camino Portuguese…to the realization halfway through the journey that he was ready…And it didn’t stop there.Since completing the Camino Walk, Joel has gone on to hike the Great Ocean Walk in Australia, continuing to build momentum with each new experience.Looking ahead, he and his wife are planning future adventures including the Cotswold Way, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and even Kilimanjaro — goals that once felt uncertain, and now feel possible.This is not a story about elite performance.It’s about reclaiming your life, one step at a time.If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late — or whether your body can still do hard things — this conversation will resonate.HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.comLIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos:https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast