When most people think of coworking, they picture glass offices, flexible desks, and bustling teams.
What they do not picture is a group of professionals waking up at 4 AM, logging 15–20 km training runs, talking about cadence and VO₂ max over coffee, and participating in some of India’s toughest endurance races. 

And yet, this is exactly what is happening inside BHIVE. 

What began as a personal quest by our Founder & CEO Shesh Rao Paplikar has now grown into a collective movement. One that is turning BHIVE into India’s most fitness-driven workspace community. But this year, the story has evolved far beyond a single athlete. 

This is a story of a company where employees train together, race together, and redefine their limits together. 

 Shesh Rao Paplikar: The First Workspace Industry Founder in the World to Complete an Ironman 70.3 

In 2025, Shesh completed the Ironman Goa 70.3 which is one of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges, comprising a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21.1 km run. This achievement alone places him in rare company. 

But what is even more unique is this:
Shesh is the first founder in the global coworking and flexible workspace industry to complete an Ironman 70.3. 

It is an industry built on speed, deadlines, and scale, not early morning swims and triathlon prep. For a founder to do both simultaneously it is almost unheard of. 

Yet, for Shesh, Ironman wasn’t just a race.
It was a metaphor. A personal mirror that reflected endurance, direction, and purpose. These are values that later began shaping BHIVE itself. 

What started as an individual journey soon turned into something bigger than he ever expected. 

How One Finish Line Became the Beginning of BHIVE’s Fitness Culture 

The months leading up to Ironman changed Shesh fundamentally. He became more structured, more disciplined, and more intentional, both at work and outside of it. Colleagues noticed a shift, and conversations slowly drifted from office management to fitness habits, sleep routines, nutrition, and the fundamentals of training. 

What started as casual chats turned into deeper questions: 

“How do you run your first 5K?”
“What is the right way to actually build endurance?”
“What watch should I buy?” 

Shesh began guiding teammates informally. New runners joined him for weekend runs. Employees who had never considered racing began signing up for their first 10K or half marathon. Fitness became a part of the company’s identity not through a corporate mandate but through shared inspiration. 

Piece by piece, a quiet revolution was building inside BHIVE. 

 The Rise of the BHIVE Athletes 

Today, BHIVE is home to a growing roster of employees who run, train, and have compete at the Ironman Goa 70.3, each with deeply personal stories of resilience and transformation. 

Melvin Muthanna began as a recreational runner but quickly adopted structured training and discipline that helped him evolve into one of the most consistent performers in the company. His progression inspired many younger employees to take running seriously. 

Rithick Sivaji, known for his infectious energy, went from casual fitness curiosity to a committed athlete training with purpose. His transformation has made him a point of motivation for the community. 

Anikethan HVU brought a quiet but powerful level of consistency, proving that even with a demanding work schedule, endurance can be built through small daily habits. 

Ravindra MK embraced endurance sport wholeheartedly, pushing through races that required not just physical stamina but remarkable mental strength. His journey has been celebrated widely within the team. 

Sandeep Adishesh, displayed impressive commitment early on. For many colleagues, Sandeep represents the idea that it’s never too late to start, what matters is taking the first step. 

Together, these athletes represent a culture that goes beyond work productivity.
It’s a culture of accountability, growth, and pushing personal boundaries. 

 Behind Every Athlete: The Role of Monnappa Bayavanda and PRFM 

No endurance movement thrives without guidance. BHIVE’s transformation accelerated when Monnappa Bayavanda and Shyam Sunder, two seasoned endurance athletes and co-founders of PRFM, began working closely with the team. 

Monnappa brought structure to what was initially an informal journey. Through PRFM, he introduced a systematic approach that blended: 

• Scientific training principles 
• Habit formation frameworks 
• Data-backed performance tracking 
• Weekly accountability reviews 
• Injury prevention and recovery methods 

BHIVE employees who were once casual runners began seeing real improvements in pace, form, and stamina. The community became more cohesive. People showed up for each other. 

Monnappa’s influence extended far beyond workouts. His mentorship shaped mindsets, encouraging employees to view fitness not as a weekend activity but as an integral part of their identity. 

Additionally, Shyam accompanied Shesh and Team BHIVE and completed the Ironman Goa 70.3 in under 7 hours in his very first attempt in the Ironman triathlon.  

PRFM’s support didn’t just build athletes. It built a movement. 

Why This Matters: BHIVE Is Redefining What a Workspace Company Can Be?

As BHIVE grows into one of India’s strongest workspace brands, it is also redefining the traditional idea of a workplace community. 

Today at BHIVE: 

• Employees train together before work.
• Colleagues motivate each other to sign up for races.
• Teams share fitness data, milestones, and personal victories.
• A structured and supportive system helps people break old habits and adopt healthier routines.
• Endurance isn’t just a sport. It’s a shared language. 

The company is quietly but steadily becoming something unique — India’s fittest workspace community. 

This identity is not built through corporate programs. It was built through lived experience, shared struggles, early-morning discipline, and a founder who led from the front. 

The Road Ahead: A Culture Built to Last 

As more BHIVE employees sign up for races, take on endurance coaching, or join PRFM’s frameworks, the culture is becoming deeper and more embedded. 

And through all of this, Shesh’s Ironman journey stands as a symbolic starting point. A reminder that leadership is not just about boardroom and strategy. Sometimes, leadership happens on a bicycle in the rain. In a 5 AM swim. On a long run when giving up seems easier. In showing up, day after day, even when no one is watching. 

BHIVE’s story is no longer just about workspaces. It’s about building a community that endures on the ground, on the track, and in life.