Run For Your Life with Peppe Lindholm

Running is often seen as a sport of numbers. Distance, speed, elevation, personal bests. But for Swedish running coach Peppe Lindholm, running is something more—it’s an art, an expression, a way of being. While many coaches focus only on optimizing technique, maximizing efficiency, and shaving off seconds, Peppe’s philosophy is different. He believes that true progression comes from reconnecting with the joy of movement, listening to the body, and embracing the unpredictability of nature.

Peppe Lindholm - Running coach and musician

I like the feeling of having to navigate the wild and make my own way back

– I like getting lost, Peppe tells us. I usually run in the woods close to where I live and sometimes I deliberately don’t keep track of where I am. It adds another element to running and I like the feeling of having to navigate the wild and make my own way back. Lots of things in life are out of our control and just having to make decisions and feel the immediate impact of them is somehow healing.

Unlike traditional training procedures that emphasize structured intervals and rigid progression plans, Peppe’s approach is more fluid, intuitive, and holistic. He combines years of experience in coaching with the more spiritual side of himself, helping runners not only improve their endurance but also rediscover their love for running. Whether guiding a seasoned ultra-runner or a complete beginner, his goal is always the same: To make running feel effortless, natural, and fun.

– One part of my life is playing music as a professional drummer and I always feel different rhythms when I run. I like to listen to slow music when I run. It somehow makes me feel like I’m going faster, Peppe says with a laugh. I also sometimes bring my fishing gear when I run so I can stop and take a fishing break. Adding elements of fun makes everything better.

I like to listen to slow music when I run. It somehow makes me feel like I’m going faster

A true advocate for sustainable movement, Peppe doesn’t just teach people how to run — he teaches them what running can do for them in a bigger sense. Mindfulness and tuning into the rhythms of the body are at the core of his philosophy. He also encourages runners to step away from the asphalt and into the wild, where the body adapts to the terrain, the mind finds clarity, and movement becomes something more than just training. For Peppe, running is not about competing against the clock but about learning to move in harmony with yourself and the world around you.

We asked Peppe for 3 tips for how to make running better (which is not necessarily the same thing as becoming a better runner).

1. Run without music and technical gadgets sometimes—let nature be the focus instead of pace and distance. Hear and feel your breath.

2. Run with others! But do it for the right reasons—slow down sometimes—that’s when you can find running friends for life.

3. Let your running take you out into the world and discover new places. The best way to explore!