In May 2026, a team of 11 payabl. employees, including our Group CEO, Ugne Buraciene, will head to Hawaii to take on one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world: the Ironman 70.3.
That’s a 1.9 km swim in the Pacific Ocean, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run. It’s a challenge that demands balance, consistency, and adaptability: the same principles that guide how we work with our clients every day.
For us, Ironman isn’t just a race. It’s a metaphor for what we stand for as a fintech: we make money flow.
Ironman meets fintech: how two worlds connect
Just as triathletes weave three disciplines into one seamless race, payabl. brings together tools to feed businesses’ growth: online and in-store payments, business accounts and virtual cards, and 360 data insights in a single connected platform, payabl.one.
That’s how we help businesses keep their operations flowing, no matter how complex the landscape.
Ironman is the perfect stage to demonstrate what it means to:
- Break down complex goals into small, manageable steps.
- Show up consistently, even when the conditions are tough.
- Work as a team, drawing strength from different abilities.
- Trust the process, and keep moving forward.
Boardroom to bikes, why we’re doing this
For Ugne Buraciene, our Group CEO, Ironman was never just about sport — it’s about leadership, growth, and daring to try something that feels impossible:
“When I first heard about Ironman, the distances seemed impossible — and some days they still do. But that’s exactly why I signed up. Running a business has taught me that you don’t wait until you’re fully ready; you start, you commit, and you grow into the challenge. Business, like Ironman, isn’t a sprint or even a marathon. It’s about sustaining performance over the long haul.” Ugne Buraciene, Group CEO
Meet the team: stories of motivation
Behind every kilometre of training is a personal story. Our Ironman team spans departments, backgrounds, and experiences, but they’re united by the drive to push limits.
For some, like Deputy Group CEO Christia Evagorou Papamichael, the decision was about reclaiming balance after years of putting others first: “After years of IVF attempts, pregnancies, and now raising two children, this challenge is a chance to put myself back in priority. The hardest part will be channelling moments of doubt into positive energy. I want my kids to see that you can do whatever you set your mind to — even starting from zero.”
For others, the Ironman is first and foremost a test of resilience. Client Relations Manager (Acquiring) Stylianos Hadjisavvas explained: “I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone. The training is tough, but the real test will be those moments when my body says ‘stop.’ That’s where dedication matters most. Just like in business, you can’t cram for an Ironman. Progress comes from showing up every day and trusting that the effort will compound.” Personal Assistant Viktoria Piskun echoed that discipline is what makes the impossible possible: “The hardest part isn’t race day, it’s the discipline of showing up for every training session. On paper, 113 km looks insane, but if I cross that line, it proves discipline can turn ‘impossible’ into ‘done.’”
For Underwriting Manager Aizhan Abdigali, the journey is deeply personal: “This race became a goal not just to get back in shape, but to reconnect with myself, to feel strong again, and to prove that it’s never too late to start from zero. With the right mindset and team, you can build something extraordinary.” Project Manager Lysandros Lysandrou sees Ironman as a chance to test limits: “I wanted to take on a challenge that would really push me to achieve something remarkable. The biggest test will be the mental side, but by showing up every day and staying adaptable, I know I can turn consistency into something extraordinary.”
Accounting Manager Angelos Varnava is motivated by the race’s history as much as its difficulty: “Hawaii is the birthplace of Ironman, so the race carries a special sense of history and prestige that goes beyond sport. Personally, I enjoy surpassing my comfort zone and taking on something that seems almost impossible. It’s also about setting an example: in life and in business, if you want extraordinary results, you need to be willing to take on extraordinary challenges.”
For Business Analyst (Payment Gateway) Dzhapar Gadzhiev, the race is about daring to stretch every limit: “There’s nothing more rewarding than testing yourself in such a demanding and prestigious event — especially alongside colleagues, sharing the challenge shoulder to shoulder. The hardest part will be pushing my character, willpower, spirit, and body to their limits all at the same time. But both in Ironman and in business, consistency, adaptability, and endurance are what make results possible.”
Head of Product Breno Oliveira agrees that the real value lies in the habits built along the way: “Consistency is key — you need to put in the hours no matter how you feel. That value will stay with me long after the race is over.” Principal Product Designer Antonios Kvamsengk Fessaras takes a similar view: “There’s no single workout that defines success — the simple act of showing up consistently is what ultimately sets you apart.”
Partnership Lead Florin Cimpoca points to the collective spirit that keeps the team motivated: “It’s not about the race itself. The most exciting thing is the journey — spending time with colleagues, encouraging each other, and constantly pushing yourself for over a year.” For Chief Regulatory Officer Bruno Carneiro Leão, it all comes down to showing up: “Show up every day. Do what you have to do no matter what — that’s the only way to succeed in Ironman and in life.” And finally, Product Designer Christian Piponides captures the quiet truth behind every finish line: “Growth comes from the small, daily actions. The extra 1% you put in every day. Most people won’t see the grind, but they’ll notice when you cross the finish line.”
The Ironman values we live by
The Ironman journey becomes proof that when complexity is navigated with clarity and confidence, performance flows.
We’ve learnt that Ironman training demands the same mindset that drives payabl.:
- Balance, knowing when to push, when to pace, and how to integrate every discipline into one steady flow.
- Consistency, showing up every day, because small, regular actions lead to big results.
- Endurance – Staying the course over long distances and long timelines — in a race or in business — by keeping momentum steady and focused.
- Adaptability – Adjusting to what’s in front of you — a headwind on the bike, a sudden change in the market — without losing sight of the goal.
- Recovery – Recognising that rest isn’t a pause in performance; it’s what makes sustained performance possible.
These values don’t just make better athletes; they make better teammates, leaders, and partners.
Flow in motion: what’s next
As we train for Hawaii, we’ll be documenting the journey in our Ironman Diaries: regular behind-the-scenes updates on the highs, lows, and lessons learned.
Follow along to see how endurance sport and fintech leadership intersect, and what it means to turn ‘impossible’ into ‘done’.
Stay tuned on our blog and social channels as we share more stories from the road to Hawaii.