Built on Finnish Sisu
DrivenBySISU is more than a training project, a race calendar or a social media account.
It is a story about two people who discovered that some of life’s most meaningful experiences happen when you step outside your comfort zone and commit to something bigger than yourself.
We believe that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things.
Not because conditions are perfect.
Not because motivation is always there.
But because they choose to keep moving forward when things become difficult.
That is what Sisu means to us.
And that is what DrivenBySISU is all about.
Our Story
Some of life’s most important journeys begin unexpectedly.
We met later in life through a chance encounter, but from the very beginning there was a strong connection between us. Our values, outlook on life and long-term goals aligned naturally, creating a foundation built on trust, mutual respect and a shared desire to live life to its fullest.
Long before HYROX entered the picture, we enjoyed being active together.
Training became a natural part of our relationship, providing an opportunity to challenge ourselves, support each other and spend meaningful time together. What started as shared workouts gradually evolved into a more structured and goal-oriented journey.
Then came an impulsive idea.
What if we tried HYROX?
Like many of the adventures in our lives, it started as a spontaneous decision.
That decision eventually became the foundation of DrivenBySISU.
Meet Sami
Sami is a 45-year-old engineer working as a sourcing manager in the industrial sector.
His work involves demanding schedules, large-scale projects and constant prioritisation. Combined with family life and parenting teenage and “young adult” children, free time is often limited and carefully planned.
Despite the challenges of balancing work, family and training, staying physically active has always been an important part of life.
Sami’s sporting background includes strength training, trail running and a wide variety of recreational team sports. Today HYROX is complemented by golf in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.
When asked about his greatest sporting achievement, Sami does not mention race results.
Instead, he points to something much more valuable:
Maintaining a strong level of physical fitness throughout adulthood and reaching the age of 45 without a single broken bone.
His current goal is to continue improving aerobic fitness while training smart enough to stay healthy for years to come.
For Sami, Sisu means perseverance, humility and the willingness to continue moving forward despite setbacks, obstacles and unexpected challenges.
Meet Katja
Katja is a 46-year-old construction and project management consultant leading demanding technical projects across Finland.
The role requires extensive travel, problem-solving, adaptability and the ability to perform under pressure. These same qualities are reflected in Katja’s approach to training and competition.
Like Sami, Katja is also a parent of teenage and young adult children, making the balance between work, family and sport a daily challenge.
Katja’s sporting background is exceptionally diverse. Over the years it has included strength training, running, cross-country skiing, floorball, ringette and football.
Today HYROX, floorball and skiing remain key parts of an active lifestyle.
One of Katja’s proudest sporting achievements is recovering from significant sports injuries and returning to excellent physical condition.
For Katja, Sisu means committed and determined pursuit of ambitious goals and the willingness to push beyond what initially seems possible.
Training with Purpose
From the beginning, our approach has been structured and data-driven.
While neither of us are professional athletes, we take training seriously.
Our training plans are built using a combination of performance data, recovery metrics and AI-assisted analysis. By utilizing real-world training data and measured performance indicators, every training block is designed to support our goals while respecting the realities of everyday life.
Some workouts are completed together.
Others are completed individually around work schedules, travel and family commitments.
We do not train under perfect conditions.
We train under real-life conditions.
And we believe that makes the journey more meaningful.
More Than a Race
HYROX is the challenge that currently brings us together on race day, but it represents something much bigger.
At the center of our lives are our children, our family, our relationship and the experiences we create together.
We share a passion for:
- Travel and discovering new places
- Live music and memorable events
- Outdoor adventures
- New challenges
- Spontaneous ideas that turn into unforgettable experiences
HYROX has become a perfect combination of many things we value.
It gives us a reason to train together.
A reason to travel.
A reason to explore new cities.
A reason to continue learning about ourselves.
And most importantly, a reason to create new memories together.
Why We Created DrivenBySISU
We created DrivenBySISU to share a realistic journey.
Not the polished version.
Not the perfect version.
The real version.
The early mornings.
The missed workouts.
The successful races.
The setbacks.
The lessons learned.
The constant balancing act between careers, family life and ambitious goals.
Our hope is to inspire others who are trying to pursue meaningful goals while living a full and busy life.
You do not need unlimited time.
You do not need perfect facilities.
You do not need perfect circumstances.
You only need the courage to take the next step.
Our Philosophy
Motivation gets you started.
Goals give you direction.
Discipline keeps you consistent.
But eventually, every journey reaches a point where motivation fades.
That is where Sisu begins.
Sisu is choosing to continue when nobody is watching.
Sisu is showing up when conditions are not perfect.
Sisu is taking one more step when you think you have nothing left to give.
When motivation ends, Sisu begins.
🔥 DrivenBySISU
Built on Finnish Sisu.