Purpose CEO Prepares for Kona: Grit & Passion

The Ironman World Championships in Kona is often seen as the ultimate test for triathletes. For the CEO of Purpose, it's not just a personal milestone—it’s a reflection of his journey in the sport and his dedication to pushing his limits, both on the course, and in life. While his career with a rapidly growing business has always been demanding, adding Kona preparation to his schedule has no doubt taken things to a new level. 

"Kona is the pinnacle of our sport. It’s the Boston Marathon of triathlon, the Chamonix of UTMB. Just being qualified is the actual reward," said Cyril. 

Cyril's decision to compete at this level was inspired by regional Southeast Asian athletes like Ling Er Choo, Andy Wibowo and Ben Khoo. All of these athletes' stories of grit and perseverance motivated him to take on the challenge. Despite facing setbacks, like a recent bacterial infection that affected his overall fitness condition, Cyril dedication hasn’t wavered. 

When asked what's the toughest part of training, he replied,

"It’s still those 5-6 hours on the saddle with a run off the bike afterward. That, combined with all the travel I do for work, makes it even more challenging," he admits.

And yet, he remains committed to the journey. Cyril understands that the race must be respected, and hopes to balance his ambition with the reality of his current physical state.

Triathlon is not an individual sport

Balancing the demanding training schedule with his responsibilities as CEO of Purpose has been no easy feat. Cyril's weekly routine involves around 14-16 hours of training, which he tries to integrate into his already packed schedule. 

"Balancing everything is pretty only possible by having the support of your main partner," he explains, crediting his wife for being his rock throughout the process. "My wife takes care of the house, the kids, and me when I’m training and I couldn’t do this without her." said Cyril.

While Cyril's physical training is grueling, the mental preparation for Kona is proving to be equally daunting. Beyond the race’s notorious heat and wind, we asked him about his primary concern which is now his nutrition. 

"I can’t fuel myself well anymore, and my stress is building up because of it. I’ve accepted that I can’t get my PB in Kona, but I don’t want to finish in 15 hours either."

Leading with Passion and Purpose

As CEO of Purpose, a brand that champions high-performance triathlon apparel, Cyril’s commitment to the sport runs deep. 

"Discipline is the only formula that enables me to do both. There are no shortcuts in triathlon, just like in life. You have to do the work." he says reflecting on how triathlon training and leading a company have similar demands.

Despite the difficulty Cyril finds parallels between both worlds, drawing on grit, perseverance, and a passion for pushing limits. 

Interestingly, his journey to Kona has also influenced the way he leads Purpose. While he’s modest about the idea of inspiring his team directly, he hopes his drive serves as an example to others.

"What I hope they can see, and not just the team, but our community, is that while I’m the CEO of the company, Purpose has been created for them," he explains. 

Cyril's dedication to the athletes and the community is central to the mission Purpose holds, and he takes pride in representing Southeast Asia and Purpose on the world stage.

Ironman Training and Business Leadership: It's all about showing up

So what does success look like for Cyril at Kona? 

"On one end, success for me would be to finish it, but on the other end, I would like this to be achieved in a competitive way. Mid-pack would make me happy," he reflects. 

Ultimately, for Cyril, it’s about showing up and doing his best—a philosophy he also applies to leading the charge at Purpose.

Cyril’s advice for others considering taking on such a challenge? 

"It will be tough, and it will require sacrifices. You’ll need to commit time, and, importantly, have a strong support system." 

As Cyril prepares for the race of a lifetime, juggling family, work, and training, he remains grounded in what matters most: showing up, doing the work, and pushing his limits—both in the office and on the race course.

The entire Purpose community is wishing him all the very best. Go get em' Boss!