Way of the Wandering Monk: Walking Home

Throughout the journey, Schulz faced harrowing near-death experiences. Early on, he fell 40 feet off a cliff, narrowly surviving the fall. He was caught in flash floods, lost in the dense Shawnee National Forest, and surrounded by coyotes on the barren dirt roads of the Oklahoma panhandle. Each day on the road tested his resilience--walking for hours through scorching heat, relentless storms, and complete isolation. The wilderness stripped away every layer of comfort, forcing him to confront his fears, doubts, and weaknesses.

In Oklahoma, Schulz reached his lowest point. Lost, exhausted, and broken, he wondered if he had the strength to continue. It was there, in the silence of the open plains, that he experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. After surrendering to faith, he felt God's presence guiding him forward, giving him the strength to keep moving. That moment marked a turning point--his walk was no longer about reaching the end but about finding himself along the way. With every step, Schulz rediscovered his sense of purpose and connected with a higher calling.

The challenges were relentless, but so was the kindness he encountered. Strangers opened their homes, provided meals, and offered encouragement, reminding him that even in a divided world, people are more united than different. Families followed his journey online, cheering him on and leaving notes and gifts along his route. The kindness he experienced reaffirmed his belief in the goodness of people and the power of community.

Walking became more than just a physical act--it became a form of meditation. The rhythmic pulse of each step mirrored the beat of his own heart, reconnecting him to his passion and purpose. Through the harsh wilderness and long days of solitude, Schulz shed the burdens of his past and found freedom in the simplicity of movement. With every mile, he embraced a new identity--the man he was always meant to be.

By the time Schulz reached the Sundial Bridge in Redding, California, he knew the journey had only just begun. He had discovered his true calling: to transform lives and impact communities through drumming, fitness, and personal growth. Inspired by the lessons he learned on the road, Schulz went on to build a thriving drum school from scratch, using drumming as a tool to foster connection, empowerment, and transformation. At 51 years old, he also transformed his body through bodybuilding, proving that with relentless purpose, anything is possible.

Way of the Wandering Monk: Walking Home is more than a travel memoir--it's a story of resilience, faith, and personal transformation. It's a reminder that the most profound changes happen not when we reach a destination, but in the steps we take along the way. Schulz's journey shows that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. Through every challenge, the road provides--and when we walk with faith and purpose, we find our way home.