Walking the Camino de Santiago for Deep Self-Discovery with Crissy Fishbane

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIn this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Crissy Fishbane about using physical challenge as a tool for transformation during major life transitions. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Crissy shares how leaving her teaching career amid burnout led her to embark on the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The episode explores overcoming uncertainty, embracing change, and learning to accept what can’t be controlled.About Crissy Fishbane:Crissy Fishbane is a writer, speaker, and co-founder of HER+ Health Collective, a community and resource hub supporting mothers through connection and collaboration. A former high school teacher with a background in psychology, she now leads inclusive communities and conversations about belonging, uncertainty, and personal growth. Crissy is also the co-host of the award-winning podcast Mama Needs a Moment. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her family and believes meaningful change often begins by letting go of certainty.Main Topics Covered:Navigating burnout and discouragement in the U.S. education systemThe realities and emotional toll of being an educator: from overwhelming workloads to the pressures of IEPs and parent relationships.Taking bold action in life transitionsThe power of pilgrimage: travel without technology, deep self-reflection, and the lessons uncovered by disconnecting and stepping outside your comfort zone.Accepting uncertainty and redefining identity after career change: uncovering the difference between what can and can't be controlled.The ripple effects of transformationThe importance of sharing stories: how vulnerability and openness foster healing and help others feel less alone.Creating mom-centered support networks in a disconnected world: why Crissy founded her + Health Collective and the value of intergenerational villages for modern parenting.Quote from the Episode:“There is so much outside of my control and I'm trying to manipulate and figure it all out and have all the answers and make everything look just so, because that's what society says it should be...and it was this moment of realizing that is all this stuff that I have no right trying to manipulate or control, because I can't. It's not about me. It's just what is. So I need to accept that and I need to focus on what I can control, which is this moment right in front of me.”—Crissy FishbaneTimestamps:[00:00:18] Crissy introduces herself and talks about calling Raleigh, NC home[00:02:08] Decision point: Burnout in teaching and the emotional weight of the profession[00:04:14] Teaching psychology in high school and why teens love self-discovery[00:08:14] Detailing the stressors that drove Crissy to leave education[00:14:39] The transition—how the idea to walk the Camino de Santiago emerged[00:16:40] The pivotal moment: Crissy’s husband encourages her to quit and walk the full Camino[00:19:32] Was the pilgrimage religious or secular, and what spiritual meaning did it hold?[00:21:00] Walking the Camino: traveling with no technology, carrying everything, and the day-to-day experience[00:24:11] Transformation on the Camino and a lesson in giving up control[00:28:19] Facing adversity during travel: a separate story of losing everything in Costa Rica[00:31:35] A moment of transformation: Accepting “what is” on a solo stretch of the Camino[00:33:11] How the Camino transformed Crissy’s relationship with control, stress, and identity[00:36:15] Practical ways gratitude and acceptance shape her daily life now[00:38:01] Why Crissy shares her transformation story and the healing power of storytelling[00:40:16] Founding her + Health Collective: building a mom support network and tackling loneliness[00:43:21] Hybrid community-building and serving moms nationwide[00:44:54] Fun insights: generational identity, book recommendations, and travel snack habitsABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://herhealthcollective.com/ Mama Needs a Moment - https://herhealthcollective.com/podcast/GET CRISSY'S SPECIAL OFFER: HER+ Health Collective Email Newsletter — a free weekly email featuring expert insights on women’s health, parenting, and mental well-being, along with updates on community events and ways to get involved with HER+ Health Collective. Value: Free access to curated, expert-led content and insider community updates. Special Offer: Free newsletter subscription for podcast listeners. How to Redeem: Sign up anytime at https://herhealthcollective.com/connect/Note from the show: Guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have any trouble redeeming the offer please reach out directly to the guest for support.Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors