Discussions of sports and creativity are usually worlds apart. Although it may seem this way at first, for many, these practices are deeply intertwined.
Exercise and movement allow for more than just physical fitness; they provide a unique space for reflection, idea generation, and mental clarity, which feeds directly into the creative process. The power of stepping away from the canvas, screen, or studio to exercise allows the mind to enter a relaxed state where ideas can surface without force or expectation.
The space where physical movement meets mental exploration offers profound benefits to those whose work depends on innovation and inspiration.
This article explores how running and creativity complement and enrich each other, revealing a shared rhythm that fuels productivity, balance, and inspiration. PACE caught up with Jennifer Schnell, a creative director and endurance athlete from San Francisco.
Jen’s career started out studying art with a focus on printmaking and graphic design at university. Since then, she has advanced to Creative Director and Art Director roles, applying her expertise at major tech companies such as Apple and Adobe, as well as with both large and niche luxury brands across industries like automotive, retail, jewellery, apparel, and fine dining. In addition to her professional work, Jen maintains a personal art practice, continuing to explore her creative passions independently.
Jen’s journey in endurance sports began with swimming, a pursuit that remained a constant in her life until college. However, the hyper-competitive and time-consuming environment eventually led her to step away, feeling that her art practice had no place within it.
After exploring other passions, she revisited her gymnastics roots from her childhood by trying circus arts. However, a severe car accident forced her to stop. During her recovery, Jen started running - something she once disliked. “I was never a runner. I hated it,” she recalls, but after a serious car accident, running became a way to reclaim movement and expression. Over time, running led to her reigniting her love for open-water swimming, which eventually led her to cycling and the challenge of competing in a local triathlon. Through endurance sports, Jen discovered a new form of creative self-expression, using movement not only as a physical outlet but also as a source of inspiration and creative exploration.
As Jen reconnected with competitive sports, familiar feelings of burnout resurfaced, similar to those she experienced in college. She struggled with an internal conflict between her identities as a creative and an athlete: “I felt that art and sport were at odds with one another. Sport was hyper-discipline, sameness, winning at all costs, beating the others - I felt different from my peers who liked the same music, dressed the same way, and shared similar interests. Art felt alluring, against the grain - I felt more drawn to that vibe.” This struggle marked a turning point, as she sought to balance her passions for both athletic and creative pursuits.
Jen: So, there was a long time when I thought that sport and art didn’t work together…This is odd because, through some lens, I’ve always acknowledged that physical movement is a really important form of expression for me just as creative expression is important.
I love process-oriented art-making because of the dialogue between your mind, the materials, and the output. Your mind wants to manifest a certain outcome, but sometimes the materials or the process that you’re going through actually pulls you in a different direction…Athletic pursuits are similar - you have to love the process and negotiate with the body, the terrain, the weather, the effort, etc.
There’s this quote I like about not thinking about the kind of art you want to make but the kind of life you want to live. That’s it for me right there. When I think of the kind of life I want to live, it feels expansive, exploratory, curious, colourful …So the training is that life. It’s more of life than racing. It’s helpful to have something to be reaching for, but it’s also like an opportunity to curate or make up adventures and notice things that are interesting or beautiful even in the otherwise mundane.
PACE: How do you find ways to balance the two?
Jen: I feel like balance is a bit of an unachievable myth - everything ebbs and flows. What matters is showing up each day; consistency is everything. Bring your curiosity with you, and that mood follows action. When I feel stuck in my creative practice, the movement gives me the space to rest and often sparks new ideas. Similarly, when I feel sluggish and don’t want to head out for a session, I’ll reach for my camera and take it with me. The idea of capturing a story or exploring something visually beautiful excites me enough to get moving.
PACE: What do you make sure to consider when running?
Jen: I like the quote from Alan Sillitoe in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner:
‘Every run like this is a life - a little life, I know - but a life full of misery and happiness and things happening as you can ever get really around yourself.’”
This perspective brings a sense of curiosity into each run.
I fell out of love with swimming due to the intense pressure to perform all the time. With running, though, it feels the opposite, it’s like curiosity and a kind of inquiry and a dialogue with the world around you and with your body.
I also find a lot of power in noticing and reflecting on my surroundings while running. It can feel like living a whole other life. I often think, What were all of the stories unfolding around me while I was out there? Afterwards, I was amazed at how there was so much happening in that one-hour, two-hour, or four-hour space of time.
I value small rituals before each session - much like saying grace before a meal. While I’m not religious, I see it as a moment to check in with myself before setting out, a way to pause and reflect. I take a breath and think, “I’m grateful for whatever my body can give me today.”
Taking this moment to connect with your intention - the deeper why behind your effort - is so important. It’s easy to get caught up in outcome-driven goals, like, “I’m going to run for two hours with six threshold efforts because it will help me run a faster half marathon.” But there’s something far more meaningful in asking yourself why any of it matters in the first place.
This ritual of intention - setting helps tap into that deeper purpose - whether it’s the joy o exploring movement, the sense that this is an expression of who you truly are, or the satisfaction of becoming a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. It naturally fosters gratitude, too. Sometimes, simply appreciating what your body is capable of and embracing the journey is all the inspiration you need to get out the door.
PACE: What suggestions do you have for those looking to incorporate running into their creative routines?
Jen: Consistency, play, curiosity.
Consistency is key to any practice - whether creative or athletic. Every day is different; some days you have the spark, and some days you don’t. But bringing a sense of playfulness and curiosity - about yourself, nature, and the world around you - helps keep the practice meaningful, exciting, and fun. It’s this mindset that turns even the most routine efforts into opportunities for discovery and growth.
And, I’d say ritual - a routine with intention. Routines are structures you set up so you don’t have to think, while a ritual invites you to pay attention.
Before a session, slow down for a moment and check in with yourself. Notice how you feel and open yourself a little to how that might shift from beginning to end. You might even set an intention for the session you're about to engage in.
For those seeking to enhance their creative process, Jen's journey serves as a reminder: that creativity isn’t confined to the studio or office. It’s nurtured in movement, in the rhythms of the body, and in the small, intentional rituals we create around our passions. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or just starting to explore the link between exercise and inspiration, the key lies in consistency, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace the process.