I’m Karl Palmqvist, based in Stockholm. I’ve always been drawn to water, long efforts, and the kind of training that changes you from the inside. A big part of my life has been shaped by movement, nature, and curiosity, but also by learning how to live with my own mind.

I grew up between different worlds, with years in Shanghai and later Hong Kong, before moving back to Sweden. That mix gave me perspective early. Different rhythms, different definitions of success, and a deeper need to find what actually feels true. Today, I’m also a father, which has shifted everything in the best way. It has made me more grounded, more patient, and more serious about balance. Not just performance, but the ability to show up with presence and steadiness.

I swam around Gotland as a physical challenge and as a way to raise awareness for mental health and the Baltic Sea. For me, it was never only about distance. It was about what happens when things get monotonous, cold, and uncertain, and you still need to make good decisions and keep going. That experience is part of how I coach and how I live. I believe the best training is simple, honest, and sustainable. Build strength, build endurance, recover well, and stay grounded. Outdoors is where it clicks for me, and it’s where I help others find their balance, too.