The Transformational Power of Walking (w/ Joao of Walking Mentorship)
Mitch Bach sat down with João Perre Viana, the founder of Walking Mentorship, to talk one thing we tour operators are all familiar with: walking.But not many of us design week-long trips where all you do is walk. Sometimes alone. Sometimes in a group. That's it. Beyond some shared meals and moments, there isn't much of a plan. Each group takes on a different spirit, but it's all guided by a mentor who along the way tries to facilitate and gently foster personal transformation. What that looks like is up to the individual guest.This conversation veered away from the nitty-gritty of business, and towards diving into the importance and magic of what we do as experience creators.For more show notes, visit tourpreneur.com. And be sure to join nearly 20,000 tour operators in our Facebook group!1. Introduction to Walking Mentorship [00:00:09]Joao’s background and origins in PortugalIs Walking Mentorship a tour company?2. Joao’s Personal Journey and Spark for Walking Mentorship [00:01:16]The first Camino de Santiago in 1993The impact of the walk and self-discoveryRealization of a calling to this work3. Founding and Early Development of Walking Mentorship [00:04:23]Corporate career delay and returning to the ideaEmail to “fools, friends, and family,” and pilot programsEarly feedback and attempts to give up on the idea4. The Nature of Walking Journeys as Transformational Experiences [00:07:14]Layers of experience: curiosity, physicality, purpose, self-understanding, spirituality, cultureDoors in a room analogy for guiding participant journeys5. Participant Freedom, Responsibility, and Structure [00:12:06]Emphasis on total freedom and responsibilityRare participant withdrawal and the ethos behind the program6. Difference Between Typical Travel and Mentorship Walking Journeys [00:13:10]Critique of traditional, structured, checklist-driven toursDeprogramming guests and creating space for transformation7. Risk, Challenge, and Your Personal “Everest” [00:17:26]Meaning of risk (internal vs. external threats)The “wolves” participants face within themselvesEnsuring physical and psychological safety8. Common Motivations and Unique Outcomes [00:19:55]The universal quest or search among participantsEvery individual’s unique journey and needs“There is no replay” principle9. The Mentorship Structure and Methodology [00:22:20]Mentor’s responsibilities and boundariesPreparing participants for returning homeStructured support with eventual independence10. Designing for Difficulty and Personal Growth [00:26:53]Backpack packing as a life metaphorBalancing physical challenge with adaptabilityReading the group and tailoring the journey11. Practical Aspects and Device Usage [00:32:22]Approach to phone/device use on programsFostering mindful interaction with technology12. Lessons for Day Tour Operators and Short-Form Experiences [00:35:16]Applying listening, eye contact, and personalization even to short toursOffering small but impactful experiences13. The Art of Listening and Asking Questions [00:40:04]Listening as a crucial guiding skillAsking questions through...
Ireland