Ditching Corporate America for Adventure
Travel and Spiritual Enlightenment
A Million Steps chronicles one man’s journey on the Camino de Santiago
and shares insights on life, love and addiction
Kurt Koontz thought he was prepared for his 490-mile hike on the historic Camino de Santiago
pilgrimage route in Spain–a trek captured in the 2010 file “The Way” starring Martin Sheen. At
48 years old, Kurt was fit and strong, had all the right equipment and his pilgrim passport
would grant him access to hostels along the way. But all of that, however helpful, did not begin
to prepare him for the challenge of the physical and emotional adventure.
A former executive accustomed to a comfortable and somewhat predictable lifestyle, Kurt
lived moment to moment on the Camino, not knowing where he would find the next meal or
sleep the next night. As he walked the 1,300-year-old route, he heard unforgettable stories
from other pilgrims and took a deeper look at his own life story. Recorded in his journal,
e-mails home and nearly 3,000 photos, they became the foundation for his first book.
A Million Steps climbs over the high meadows of the Pyrenees, quests through the unceasing
wind of the Meseta and dances in the rains of Galicia. While following the yellow arrows that
mark the route, Kurt also navigates through his personal history of addiction, recovery and
love. With humor, he embraces the beauty of the countryside and joyful connections to other
pilgrims from around the world. Part diary, part travelogue, A Million Steps is an inspirational
journey within a journey all the way to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostéla and beyond.
News tie-ins & core messages:
• Lessons from the Camino de Santiago: Five things I learned about life on a 490-mile walk.
• The benefits of solo travel and why these trips have become so popular.
KURT KOONTZ
BOOK DETAILS
Adventure memoir
Trade paper
978-0615852928
197 pages
$15.99 U.S.
@kurt_koontz
KurtKoontz.com
• Going the way of Cheryl Strayed: Adventures that can help us cope with major life changes
like addiction, recovery, divorce, even death.
• Adventure travel 101 - is it for you?
• Living in the moment: Tips for incorporating gratitude into your daily life.
KURTKOONTZ
About the author:
Kurt Koontz was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. He studied business at the University of
Puget Sound, then returned to his hometown to rise through the ranks as a sales executive for
Micron Technology, a Fortune 500 Company.
After retiring early at the age of 36, Kurt volunteered in his community and took to adventure
travel–mostly by bicycle across Europe and the Western U.S. and Canada. He never
considered writing a book until he walked the nearly 500-mile El Camino de Santiago in Spain
in 2012. Those million steps were so compelling that he returned home and began writing and
speaking about his life-changing adventures. Kurt currently lives on a tree-lined creek in
Boise and travels the country speaking about adventure travel, addiction and recovery, as well
as corporate motivation.
Praise:
“ I really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to put it down.”
— LYDIA B. SMITH, PRODUCER/DIRECTOR OF “WALKING THE CAMINO: SIX WAYS TO SANTIAGO”
“If you read this book, you might well find yourself pouring over maps of Spain and talking to your
boss about a leave of absence.”
— DR. ROBERT BARR, BESTSELLING AUTHOR
“A Million Steps is written in such a way that the reader feels he is actually walking the trail with
Kurt. There is encouragement to all of us to shake out of the ‘comfort zone’, slow down to enjoy the
small things, and be willing to accept the changes life inevitably brings. A must read!”
— AMAZON.COM
Media Contact: Kurt Koontz 208.890.2150 [email protected]
“Throughout my life, I made
many attempts to understand
the concept of living in the
now. Walking the Camino de
Santiago provided the key to
this puzzle in a most innocent
manner. Each day on the trail
is a mystery loaded with
complete uncertainties.
Nothing is planned and each
corner is filled with intrigue.”
KURTKOONTZ