Walking Into Clarity: Devin Sarah Kinasz’s Camino Journey
Devin Sarah Kinasz walked 779 kilometers across Spain on the Camino de Santiago—and it changed her life. For 35 days, she left behind the noise, the roles, and the expectations, walking step by step until only her truth remained. That journey didn’t just test her body and mind; it revealed a clarity and inner strength that inspired her next big adventure: creating Mysterra, a travel experience designed to transform the way people see the world—and themselves.
“The Camino stripped everything away until only my truth remained. Clarity comes when you fully meet the moment.”
Devin, what was it like walking the full Camino de Santiago, and how did it change you?
Walking the full 779 km of the Camino was one of the most profound experiences of my life. There’s something about putting one foot in front of the other for 35 days that strips everything unnecessary away—your identity, your roles, your stories—until only your truth remains. I found a level of determination, joy, and inner strength I didn’t even know I had. The Camino gave me clarity. It showed me that my body is capable, my mind is resilient, and that life makes the most sense when I’m fully in the moment.
Was there a moment on the Camino when you knew it was time to start something new?
I had already been dreaming up Mysterra—and even co-led a successful trip to Egypt last fall—but the Camino gave me the final confidence and inner strength to fully commit and launch it. Walking day after day, I saw how deeply people resonated with spiritual and transformative travel. It hit me: this is powerful, and more people need experiences like this. That clarity pushed me to go all in.
How did your past career in publishing and economics prepare you for creating Mysterra?
My background gave me this unusual combination of analytical rigor and deep industry understanding. As a former economist, I’m good at seeing the big picture—political risk, logistics, market opportunity. As a publisher and CEO in the travel media world, I learned how to tell a story, build community, and trust my instincts. Visiting 80+ countries showed me what truly meaningful travel feels like. All of that merged naturally into Mysterra.
What does “meaningful travel” mean to you?
It’s travel that opens something inside you. Travel that shifts you out of autopilot and back into your aliveness. It’s not about collecting countries—it’s about awakening parts of yourself you didn’t know were there. To me, meaningful travel blends wonder, beauty, challenge, and introspection. It changes how you see the world and how you see yourself.
“Meaningful travel awakens parts of yourself you didn’t know were there.”
How do you make sure your trips leave a real impact on the people who join them?
First, I design itineraries that naturally pull people into presence—places where the land itself teaches you something. Then I layer in gentle coaching, reflection, rituals, and community moments that spark insight without forcing anything. People feel supported, inspired, and seen. But the magic often comes from the group itself—like-minded travelers who show up ready for growth. That combination creates transformations that last.
Africa is your next big journey. What do you hope travelers will take away from it?
Africa has a soul unlike anywhere else. Tanzania and Uganda offer this raw, ancient beauty that reconnects you to something primal and sacred. I hope travelers come home with a deeper appreciation for nature, for the interconnectedness of all life, and for their own inner strength. I also want them to feel a sense of awe again—the kind that stays with you long after the trip is over. And the theme of the trip is Big Love, prodding our guests to love the life they already live.
How do you balance showing amazing places with helping people connect more deeply to themselves?
I see them as the same thing. When you’re standing on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise or trekking through Bwindi’s misty forests to meet mountain gorillas, something shifts. Nature unlocks you. My role is simply to guide that opening—to help people interpret what they’re feeling, to create space for reflection, and to make sure the itinerary supports inner as well as outer exploration.
Starting something new can be scary. What helped you take the leap?
Honestly? The realization that not doing it was scarier. I’d spent years fitting into the corporate world, hiding the consciously adventurous side of me that feels the most true. But the Camino taught me that authenticity is freedom. Once I owned that, the fear started to dissolve.
How has leading Mysterra changed the way you see leadership and teamwork?
It’s made me much more human, more intuitive, and more connected. In my media companies, leadership has traditionally been about strategy, deadlines, and revenue. With Mysterra, it’s about creating safe spaces, uplifting others, and trusting the right people will gather. It’s collaborative and soulful. It’s also helped me realize that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about holding the vision and inviting others to join.
Looking back, what advice would you give someone wanting to follow their own path, like you did?
Start before you feel ready. Your soul will nudge you long before your mind understands the plan. Trust those nudges. Surround yourself with people who expand you. Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be. And remember: you don’t need to take a giant leap. Just take the next step. The path reveals itself as you walk it—on the Camino, and in life.
