Tobias Schlegl: Pilgrimage with Mom – A path full of challenges!

Tobias Schlegl: Pilgrimage with Mom – A path full of challenges!

The Way of St. James has many stories to tell, but that of Tobias Schlegl and his 73-year-old mother is particularly touching. After a career in the media world, the former presenter of VIVA and “extra 3” has now dedicated himself to being an emergency paramedic, and in this context has also processed his experiences on the famous pilgrimage route. In his current book,Light heart and heavy legs: With mom on the Way of St. James, which was published at the beginning of April 2025, he takes readers on an adventurous journey from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela. The two covered over 700 kilometers on foot in 34 days, which was not only a physical but also an emotional challenge. These experiences connected his view of life and his relationship with his mother in a new way. ARD reports about the longing connection that the mother-son duo was able to sketch on this trip.

The hike was by no means a walk for Tobias Schlegl. Even though he is not considered an experienced hiker, he was drawn to going out to be there for his mother. Loud T Online The trip quickly became an emotional rollercoaster: overcrowded and unhospitable hostels, changeable weather and impassable paths were just some of the challenges. Schlegl and his mother had clear ups and downs with every step, but he believed in the positive feeling of hiking. “The challenges brought us together,” he describes, and he was also very surprised by his mother’s adventurous spirit. The Way of St. James, one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Europe, attracts numerous hikers every year, and the increase in arrivals in recent years is proof of this.

A new beginning for the relationship

The couple's intimate journey brought them closer together and gave their relationship a new depth. The exchange on the route, characterized by painful but also uplifting moments, opened up new perspectives. Tobias experienced his mother's strength in an impressive way, helping him to recharge his own battery and leave dark thoughts behind. “You only realize how little time you have left when you spend time with older parents,” he reflects. His book's message that it is important to create such moments before it is too late rings loud and clear.

His experiences during the hike include not only the physical exertion, but also daily life on the way: sleeping, eating and suffering. Schlegl mainly ate chocolate croissants and pasta, which gave him the energy he needed for the next steps. He also kept a diary, which was used in his book. The often touching but also exhausting stories became a catarsis for the author and countless readers looking for an inspiring message across the pages. How Lilo reads highlights, the book not only conveys the experiences of the hike, but also an important lesson: parents and children should encourage each other to be active together.

With his book, Tobias Schlegl not only documented his personal experience, but also gave an impetus to think about old relationships. His journey on the Way of St. James shows that it is never too late to learn new things and renew old bonds. This work brings the courage to exceed one's own limits and celebrates the adventurous spirit of the older generation coupled with the curiosity of the younger generation. An appeal to everyone who perhaps still has countless hikes and conversations with their parents ahead of them.