Meet Your Holistic Wellbeing Educators Dr. Carol & Chris
Evidence-based holistic wellbeing educators with 40+ years teaching experience. Led by Dr. Carol Schultz, whose doctoral research on human flourishing and lifelong learning informs everything we create for adults 50+.
Dr. Carol Schultz
Doctor of Professional Studies • Master of Education (Guidance & Counselling) • Bachelor of Teaching • 40+ years as educator and guidance officer • Doctoral research on human flourishing, socialization, and lifelong learning
Chris Schultz
Bachelor of Science (Chemistry/Physics) • Diploma of Education • 40 years in Education
Academic Credentials & Research Foundation
Our programs are informed by Dr. Carol Schultz's doctoral research and 40+ years of combined teaching experience.
Dr. Carol Schultz, Researcher & Educator
Doctor of Professional Studies • Master of Education • Bachelor of Teaching
Carol's doctoral thesis explored human flourishing, socialization, and lifelong learning—how community, values, resilience, and intentional learning contribute to wellbeing across all life stages. This research forms the theoretical foundation of every course, resource, and community experience we create.
"Wellness at 50+ isn't about turning back the clock—it's about moving forward with intention, connection, and the wisdom that comes from lived experience."
Doctor of Professional Studies
Dr. Carol Schultz
Human Flourishing, Socialization & Lifelong Learning
Doctoral research exploring how community, values, resilience, and lifelong learning contribute to flourishing across all ages.
Master of Education
Dr. Carol Schultz
Guidance & Counselling
Advanced study in educational guidance, counselling frameworks, and supporting individuals through life transitions.
Bachelor of Science & Diploma of Education
Chris Schultz
Chemistry/Physics • 40 Years in Education
Four decades of science education experience, specializing in Physics and Chemistry, bringing evidence-based teaching methodology to adult wellness learning.
How Dr. Carol's Research Shapes Our Work
Lifelong Learning Philosophy
Adults benefit from structured, intentional learning about wellness. Our courses apply educational design principles proven through decades of teaching.
Community as Foundation
Dr. Carol's research confirms that social connection and belonging are protective factors for health. Community is built into everything we create.
Holistic Flourishing Model
True wellbeing addresses physical, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual dimensions. Our framework is evidence-based and comprehensive.
After decades studying human flourishing in theory, we found ourselves facing a mid-life reckoning: Could Carol's doctoral research on resilience, community, and lifelong learning actually work on us? The answer became the foundation of everything we now teach.
When Research Meets Real Life: Our Second Half Transformation
Most of us were told that mid-life is a slow decline: more weight, more pain, less energy, fewer options.
We don't believe that story.
Path of the Dreamer™ was born out of our own mid-life turning point. After three decades in education, youth work and raising three daughters, we realised our bodies were quietly paying the price: extra kilos, back pain, creeping fatigue, and a growing sense that if we didn't change now, we'd be limited for the adventures we still felt called to.
At the same time, the Camino de Santiago – walking the Camino Frances across Spain – kept appearing in our prayers and conversations. It became the symbol of everything we wanted for our "second half": strength, freedom, faith, adventure and meaningful contribution.
So we decided to rebuild.
Our Health & Camino Journey
When we finally decided to pursue the Camino seriously, we realised our bodies weren't ready. We were carrying extra weight, Chris was dealing with back pain, and we'd both spent years inside the same diet-start-stop cycle we saw in so many of our students' parents and colleagues.
Drawing directly from Carol's research on human flourishing, we built our approach on three evidence-based pillars:
1. Physical Renewal (Body Dimension)
Clean, realistic nutrition with quality supplementation. Progressive walking and strength training.
2. Social Connection (Community Dimension)
Sharing our journey publicly created accountability and inspired others—proving Carol's thesis on community as a protective factor.
3. Purposeful Learning (Growth Dimension)
We approached our transformation as lifelong learners, studying nutrition science, training methodology, and sustainable behavior change.
This wasn't a diet. It was applied research.
Over several cycles we lost weight, reduced pain and rebuilt energy. Our Camino training began in the kitchen as much as on the trail, and we started sharing that journey on Path of the Dreamer and social media.
As our story resonated, more and more mid-life friends asked: "Can you help me do this too?"
That's when Path of the Dreamer™ evolved beyond a blog. It became a private community where mid-life adults could apply the same evidence-based framework that transformed our lives.
Weight Loss Success
Carol: 23kg | Chris: 12kg
Progressive Training
Consistent walking and strength building
Camino Ready
Training to walk the Camino Frances
The Human Flourishing Model in Action
Our transformation validated Carol's doctoral research by demonstrating all 6 dimensions working together:
🏃♂️ Physical Health
Lost 35kg combined through sustainable nutrition and progressive training
💪 Emotional Resilience
Replaced shame-based dieting with growth mindset and self-compassion
👥 Social Connection
Built accountability through community sharing and public documentation
🎯 Purpose & Meaning
The Camino became our unifying goal—a pilgrimage with purpose
📚 Lifelong Learning
Studied evidence-based training, nutrition science, and behavior change
💰 Financial Wellness
Invested in quality supplements, training gear, and long-term health
This framework didn't just change our health—it became the foundation for helping others do the same.
Walking Your Own Path of the Dreamer
You don't have to walk the Camino Frances to live the Path of the Dreamer.
Maybe your "Camino" is:
Being able to hike with your grandchildren without pain
Finally feeling confident in your body again in your 50s or 60s
Having the energy to pursue a calling you've put off for years
Carrying a backpack across Spain and ringing the bells in Santiago
Wherever you're starting, we're here to walk with you – one step, one habit, one story at a time.