In May 2026, a team of 15 payabl. employees will be tackling the Ironman 70.3 in Hawaii.
The renowned event is regarded as one of the world’s most intense endurance challenges, encompassing a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a strength-sapping 21.1 km run.
For us, it’s much more than a race. It’s a living metaphor for our mission to make money flow; just as the participating athletes connect three disciplines into one seamless experience, payabl. brings together the different payments capabilities businesses need to thrive into a single, unified platform.
The Ironman’s values are closely aligned with our values. As well as extreme endurance, the challenge demands balance, consistency, adaptability, and recovery. These are the same characteristics that shape how we work with our clients – and how we help them to succeed.
In the build-up to the event, we’ll be profiling our teammates taking part in Ironman 70.3 Hawaii to find out more about their motivations, and how they’re blending their professional life at payabl. with their training regime.
First up to discuss their drive at work and beyond are Underwriting Manager Aizhan Abdigali and Stylianos Hadjisavvas, Client Relations Manager (Acquiring).
Acclimatising to adaptability
They are quick to highlight the importance of adaptability, both in their professional lives and when it comes to preparing for the challenge ahead. Whether it’s a sudden headwind on a bike, or a shift in the market, adjusting to what’s in front of you is imperative to meeting your goals.
“Preparing for Ironman means changing routines, adjusting habits, and sometimes sacrificing my favorite hobbies in order to prioritise training,” explains Aizhan. “But at the same time, it has opened the door to new passions, new skills, and new experiences. And it’s not just about me – it’s about my family too. We have a one-year old who needs a lot of love and attention, so adaptability for me means finding balance within every aspect in my life.”
Having spent 15 years in consulting roles across different departments at KPMG and EY before joining payabl., Aizhan has brought the same adaptability to the company. “I truly enjoy the combination of analysis and problem-solving,” she adds. “Every day brings something new to learn, uncover, and explore. It’s especially rewarding to see how our risk management efforts help build safer and more resilient business relationships.”
Stylianos started out in musical theatre, which taught him the value of communication and people skills, and has now successfully translated his skillset into the fintech arena.
“Adaptability is essential,” he says. “Being able to balance client expectations with business objectives, respond to challenges quickly, and maintain strong relationships – no matter the situation – are crucial.”
He sees real parallels between his professional life and his Ironman journey. “Both require adaptability when plans change, and the ability to keep moving forward even when things get tough," he says. "Success comes from building habits, relying on your team, and keeping sight of the mission.”
The recurring role of recovery and resilience
Recovery and resilience will play a big part in payabl.’s Ironman story.
For Aizhan, who gave birth just a year ago, the challenge is part of a wider transformation. “I love the adrenaline of pushing myself to the limit,” she explains.
“But there was also something deeper; I felt like I had lost connection with my own body, so the race became a goal not just to get back into shape, but to reconnect with myself and to prove I can achieve something extraordinary, even after such a big transformation.”
Stylianos was keen to step outside of his comfort zone and take on a challenge that at first seemed almost impossible. And Hawaii, with its stunning scenery, felt like the perfect stage.
“Mental resilience will be crucial,” he said. “The physical training is hard, of course, but the real test will be those moments when my body says ‘stop’. That’s where dedication and sticking to the plan matter most, and trusting that my preparation will carry me through.”
The same sense of dedication and resilience is often required to help overcome professional challenges. “Physical achievements and professional achievements require the same mindset and qualities,” adds Aizhan.
“Whether it’s small daily training tasks or big projects at work, being responsible for my actions is key. Sometimes the hardest part is overcoming my own excuses. Discipline keeps me on track when my motivation wavers, and such focus is essential in my role, as even the smallest detail can make a significant change in assessing risk accurately.”
“You can’t ‘cram’ for an Ironman, just like you can’t take a shortcut to achieving long-term goals in the business world”, explains Stylianos. “Progress comes from showing up day after day and trusting that the hard work will pay off. I want to prove to myself that I can keep going when it gets really tough, and that limits are often just in our heads.”
Working towards a shared vision
Aizhan and Stylianos believe that Ironman is reflective of payabl.’s wider company culture.
From shaping new ideas that improve everyday life at the office to participating in charitable projects and sporting endeavours, employees are encouraged to develop, contribute, and ultimately thrive beyond their core roles.
“The culture is fast-paced and challenging, but in the best possible way,” says Stylianos.
“It constantly pushes you to grow – both in knowledge and in character – while being surrounded by supportive, inspiring colleagues who make the journey rewarding. The people here are what makes the difference; everyone’s driven, collaborative, and always ready to help.”
“Hard work is recognised and collaboration is key,” adds Aizhan. “We know how to celebrate our achievements and enjoy the journey together – it’s a ‘work hard, celebrate harder’ kind of environment.”
As the team ramps up its training schedule with the Ironman challenge getting closer, support, encouragement, and an openness to learning from each other will prove invaluable.
“Just like in sports, at work too, we achieve more when we share knowledge and lift each other up,” states Aizhan.
Asked to sum up the Ironman experience in one word, she considers for a moment before saying, “demanding – but even more than that, it’s interesting.”
“Unyielding,” adds Stylianos.
Ultimately, the Ironman journey will become proof that when life’s complexities are carefully navigated with clarity and confidence, performance flows.
Stay tuned as the team gets ready for Ironman 70.3 in Hawaii in May 2026 or take a look at our careers page to see our open positions if you would like to join the growing payabl. team.