Get a two week free trial to Coopah by signing up with the code ‘GBA’ here: ⁠https://coopah.onelink.me/PFli/ha2l5cpt⁠

Running has the power to transform our mental health, but let’s face it - it's not easy. It takes effort, discipline, and dedication.

For many, staying motivated and making running a consistent habit can feel like an uphill battle.

So, how do you turn running into something positive that sticks?

Pete Cooper believes he’s cracked the code.

As the co-founder of Coopah, a personalised run coaching platform, Pete has made it his mission to make running more accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for all.

Pete’s journey to launching this app is deeply personal—rooted in grief, mental health struggles, and profound loss.

At 23, Pete faced the unexpected loss of his mother and best friend. Two tragedies compounded by his struggles with OCD which caused him to suffer grief and depression.

His battles were so intense that he came close to taking his own life.

But Pete’s story is also one of transformation, where he turned his own pain into a source of inspiration for others facing their own battles.

In this episode Pete opens up about living with suicidal thoughts, managing his OCD, and navigating life with a heart condition, all while finding solace in running and community.

Pete shares his recent experiences running with communities in Pakistan where running is an expensive sport, and he reminisces of the profound joy he had when he was younger, watching his mum blossom into a great runner.

Beyond his personal story, Pete discusses how he was able to build the Coopah running app with no prior tech experience, his mission to encourage more people to take up running, and his role in establishing a refugee run club - a testament to his belief in running as a force for connection and healing.

Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653⁠⁠⁠

Follow Pete: https://www.instagram.com/petecooperruns/

Mentioned in the Podcast

Islamabad run with us: https://www.islamabadrunwithus.com/

Islamabad Running Club: https://islamabadrunningclub.com/

Lahore Marathon: https://lahore-marathon.com/

Refugee Run Club: https://www.refugeerunclub.com/

Donate your kit - please follow Coopah Running for updates on their next kit drop dates: https://www.instagram.com/coopahruncoach/

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:31 Connecting with run clubs in Pakistan

06:12 Running is expensive in Pakistan

10:55 Building bridges with connections in London

14:13 Kit donations to refugees

17:04 Pete's first experiences running

20:40 Pete's early memories of his mum running

23:06 Running like an elite

25:03 Running first marathon alongside mum

27:17 His mums tragic passing

29:43 The lack of support Pete receieved

33:17 Struggling in wake of his mum's death

38:01 Being diagnosed with Depression, OCD and anxiety

41:22 Struggles with OCD

45:27 Giving up cricket

47:37 Friends as therapy

48:43 Pete's heart condition

52:44 Battling suicidal thoughts

57:00 Tom's experience with depression

01:01:27 Pete's list he keeps on his phone

01:03:45 Coopah's evolution from run club to digital app

01:09:35 Raising investment

01:19:51 Word of mouth marketing

01:21:58 The flexibility of the app

01:25:47 How the app adapts to the runner

01:28:48 Protections against gamification

01:31:54 Keeping runners active post-events

01:37:30 Coopah and AI

01:41:04 Refugee Run Club

01:48:33 Humanising refugees

01:51:26 Refugee Run Club Locations

01:53:28 Running has never been more open to beginners

01:55:49 Lessons from an entrepreneur