MANAGING BUSINESS AND FITNESS vol. 1

A series of journal entries for non-professional triathletes seeking to compete at a high level while balancing the demands of being an entrepreneur.

written by Urmas Peiker

The Duality of Being an Entrepreneur and Triathlete

It is said, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” Additionally, it is said that “Until you face your fears, you don’t move to the other side, where you find the power.” Now, which quote is about entrepreneurship and which is about competing as a triathlete? I think both in life and in practice you can attribute the lessons in these words to starting a business and to competing in one of the most demanding endurance sports out there.

Welcome. My name is Urmas Peiker, I am 41 years old, and I am the cofounder of Funderbeam, a global fintech startup headquartered in Europe. I also am an amateur triathlete and a finisher of two IRONMAN World Championships (2015 and 2017). Some of you reading this know how demanding entrepreneurship is and others know how unforgiving the world of long distance triathlons is. Both require a lot of time, dedication, planning, and energy. This is at the crux of why I wanted to share my 2017 experiences over the course of the next few months. I’ve learned so much about how to balance growing a globally focused company with the preparation needed to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, that I felt compelled to share this knowledge. Hopefully, you’ll gain some insight which will help you in your business or fitness endeavors (Ideally both)! As I share my experiences with you, please always feel free to ask questions or provide feedback. I’m very much a novice at “blogging.”

Since launching Funderbeam’s funding and trading platform in 2016, it has been an exciting and demanding whirlwind. In less than two years, I’ve logged more air miles than ever before in my life. But in addition to having a passion for democratizing access to investing and trading, I have a lust for competition and pushing my body to its limits. As I mentioned, this ultimately is why I began writing — I wanted to document and share my process both for my own personal benefit and perhaps for anyone else out there who is trying to chase multiple dreams at once.

In the case of my goals for 2017, this included qualifying for my second IRONMAN World Championship and redeeming what I personally consider to be a disappointing first attempt back in 2015. Throughout this series of what I’d consider journal entries, I’ll share my thoughts on what to expect and avoid, how to prepare, and how to achieve one’s aspirations, all while managing an intensely demanding work schedule.