A Veteran's Quest for Healing and Purpose Along the Camino de Santiago
by Matthew G. Brandt
Footsteps of the Soul: A Veteran’s Quest for Healing and Purpose Along the Camino de Santiago
What if the path to healing begins with a single step?
In Footsteps of the Soul, retired military veteran and law enforcement officer Matthew G. Brandt takes you on a raw, honest, and deeply moving journey across the Camino de Santiago—one of the world’s oldest and most transformative pilgrimages. Blending powerful personal stories, moments of unexpected humor, and soulful reflection, this book speaks to anyone carrying the weight of trauma, burnout, or lost purpose.
Whether you're a veteran, first responder, or simply someone seeking meaning in life’s chaos, this journey is yours too. Let this story inspire your next step.
Footsteps of the Soul: A Veteran’s Quest for Healing and Purpose along the Camino de Santiago
by Matthew G. Brandt
What happens when a soldier’s battle ends—but the war within continues?
In Footsteps of the Soul, Navy veteran Matthew G. Brandt sets off on a 500-mile pilgrimage across Spain’s ancient Camino de Santiago, seeking something no doctor or therapist could prescribe: peace. What begins as a physical challenge soon becomes an emotional and spiritual odyssey, one marked by unexpected encounters, soul-deep revelations, and the quiet healing found in the rhythm of walking, listening, and letting go.
With a voice that is both raw and reflective, Brandt invites readers into the intimate terrain of his past—moments of military service, personal loss, and the enduring impact of trauma. Along the trail, he weaves together stories of fellow pilgrims, sacred spaces, and life lessons whispered by the path itself. Through moments of laughter, grief, and grace, Footsteps of the Soul becomes more than a travel memoir—it becomes a map for transformation.
This is a book for anyone carrying invisible wounds. For veterans, first responders, caregivers, and all who have known the weight of duty or loss, Brandt offers a message of hope: that healing is possible, and sometimes, it begins by simply taking the next step.
Rooted in spiritual insight and enriched by the mission of Tactical Retreat Unplugged—his nonprofit dedicated to the recovery and resilience of veterans and first responders—Footsteps of the Soul is a testament to the power of pilgrimage, the strength of the human spirit, and the profound truth that we are never truly alone on the journey.
“Keep on Walking!”
Matthew G. Brandt
Author and veteran Matthew G. Brandt shares stories of healing and hope inspired by the Camino de Santiago and his work with first responders and military families.
Matthew G. Brandt is a U.S. Navy veteran, former police officer, and lifelong public servant whose journey has taken him from the front lines of global service to the sacred paths of northern Spain. Over the years, Matthew has stood in the most solemn of places—returning the flag-draped coffins of fallen service members to grieving families and honoring hundreds of veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. These moments shaped his understanding of duty, sacrifice, and what it means to truly serve. Following a career in uniform that included both military and law enforcement service, Matthew faced the quiet toll of accumulated trauma. It was on the Camino de Santiago—a centuries-old pilgrimage across Spain—that he began to confront those wounds, step by step. What started as a personal journey evolved into a mission: to share the transformative power of the Camino and help others, especially veterans and first responders, walk toward healing and rediscover their purpose. Matthew is the author of Footsteps of the Soul – A Veteran’s Quest for Healing and Purpose along the Camino de Santiago, and founder of Tactical Retreat Unplugged, a nonprofit that offers hope, storytelling, and community to those carrying invisible burdens. His writing blends soulful reflection with a touch of humor, spiritual insight, and the enduring belief that no one walks alone. Today, he leads retreats, mentors fellow travelers, and speaks to audiences about faith, resilience, and the courage to take the next step—even when the road ahead is uncertain.