Running Towards Resilience
The uncertainty of life
Sometimes, life takes an unexpected turn, forcing us to find strength in places we never imagined. In this story, our Project Manager, Franck Zhang, shares his experience when he moved to Finland. Everything went well in the first few years, the turning point came when he faced one of the biggest challenges of his career—when Microsoft/Nokia lost the competition to Apple and discontinued the phone business unit, he got laid off.
This is a story that many immigrants in Finland would share the same feeling. Settling in a foreign country from zero is not easy when you do not speak the local language, nor do you have a strong network. But challenges can make us grow, if you take it and embrace it, isn’t it?
Franck visited the hometown of Santa Clause (Joulupukki)
Franck’s career growth
Franck is originally from Chongqing, hometown of hotpot, China. His journey began with a strong academic foundation. After graduating from university, he joined Nokia, the Finnish telecommunications giant, where he became part of the R&D team. His role primarily focused on production testing development and integration for product program in Beijing R&D site, ensuring smooth operations of products in factories globally. Over time, he took on greater responsibilities, leading the development of production testing systems and deployment globally.
With his growing expertise, Franck transitioned into project leadership, eventually becoming a project manager. However, as he delved deeper into project management, he realized that technical expertise alone wasn’t enough. A solid understanding of business principles was equally critical. This realization drove him to pursue an MBA at Peking University, where he gained not only a deeper grasp of commercial logic and decision-making frameworks but also expanded his PM skills in supply chain management. He learned that at the core of project management lies the ability to make the right decisions at the right time, based on clear principles and shared evaluation standards. His MBA studies equipped him with the commercial acumen needed to excel in project leadership, making him more confident and effective in his role.
Turning challenges into strength
Even with a strong professional background, Franck faced an unexpected turning point when he was laid off. The uncertainty of job hunting brought stress and frustration—but instead of letting it define him; he turned to something simple yet transformative: running.
At first, running was just a way to clear his mind and stay active. But as the kilometers added up, so did his sense of purpose. He began with longer runs—5 kilometers, then gradually increased to 7, 9, 12, and eventually 15. Each new distance became a personal milestone, sparking the question: could he complete a half marathon?
In 2017, Franck did exactly that—running his first 21-kilometer race with an impressive result. Inspired by that success, he set an even bigger goal: a full marathon. He created a training plan but soon learned that determination alone wasn’t enough. Overconfident, he didn’t stick to the plan as strictly as he should have. During the marathon, pain struck hard at the 28-kilometer mark. His left knee gave out, and for a moment, he thought of giving up.
He called his wife, ready to quit—but she reminded him why he started and encouraged him to keep going. Motivated by her words, Franck pushed through the pain and crossed the finish line. That moment wasn’t just about completing a race—it was a powerful lesson in perseverance, planning, and finishing what you start. As he reflects, “Perfection is impossible without completion. You can only improve what you finish.”
Since then, running has remained a core part of his life. It’s not just about fitness—it’s a mindset. He runs regularly, not only to stay active but to set an example for his child: that persistence, patience, and progress are the real keys to success. In Finland, people often speak of “sisu”—an untranslatable word that embodies grit, determination, and inner strength. Franck sees sisu as a guiding force, especially in his role at a rapidly growing company, where resilience isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Franck at Stockholm marathon 2024
Each run became a metaphor for his professional journey. Some days were smooth, others were filled with hurdles. But step by step, he built the strength—mental and physical—to navigate both the job market and life’s bigger challenges.
Today, as a valued member of the SpinDrive team, Franck brings that same mindset to work. His story is a powerful reminder that setbacks can open new doors—and that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to just keep running.
Ways to make the most of free time
“Aside from running, one of the best ways I like to spend my free time is simply by being still—idling and enjoying the quiet. I’m not someone who’s particularly drawn to socializing or attending big events. Instead, I find peace and fulfillment in solitude, taking time to reflect and recharge. Whether it’s through a little bit of light meditation, reading, or just allowing my mind to wander, these moments of stillness give me the space to relax and reset.
Spending time with my family is also a top priority, of course. Being there for them and creating meaningful moments together is essential to me. As a parent, I often use every day experiences as an opportunity for my son. I try to be a role model for him. For instance, one of the things I make sure to do is stick to my running routine—consistency Whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, I’m out there doing it. This consistency is something I want him to understand persistence and discipline aren’t just words, but actions that shape who we are. By demonstrating this commitment in my own life, I hope to instill in him the values of hard work, dedication, and the importance of following through” Franck slowly shared.
“Ultimately, I believe these small daily habits and lessons help shape the kind of person he’ll become. I believe it will influence him in some way to always give his best, stay focused, and keep moving forward no matter what challenges arise” Franck continued.
Franck enjoyed some family time
What drew Franck to join SpinDrive
“During my job search, I had a clear vision of the kind of company I wanted to join. After more than ten years in large corporations, I was ready for something different—something smaller, more dynamic, and with strong growth potential. With my technical background and experience, I knew that for a company to stay competitive, it needed to have a truly solid technology foundation—something that couldn’t be easily copied or replaced.
When I saw SpinDrive’s job posting for a Project Manager on LinkedIn, I decided to look into the company further. Even though it was a small team, I was impressed by its technology in active magnetic bearings, which really stood out to me. So, I quickly submitted my application.
Of course, I had applied to other companies as well, but throughout the process, it became clear that SpinDrive was genuinely interested in my experience and skills. That mutual interest and alignment led me to join the team.
I’ve always believed that job searching is a two-way journey—both the company and the candidate should be looking for the right fit. When there’s alignment on both sides, it creates a foundation for long-term collaboration and success” says Franck.
Franck relaxes with table tennis matches during breaks
The best part about working at SpinDrive
“What I appreciate most about working at SpinDrive is the people. We have an incredible team made up of individuals who are not only skilled and passionate about their work but who also genuinely support one another. Everyone brings their own approach and personality to the table, but we’re all aligned by a common purpose and a shared vision for what we want to achieve. That sense of unity, despite our different backgrounds and working styles, is something truly special.
Another thing that really stands out is the culture of trust. Here at SpinDrive, there’s no need to worry about micromanagement. Our leaders provide clear directions and set expectations, but then they step back and allow us to take full ownership of our work. That trust creates a space where you feel empowered to make decisions, explore ideas, and push yourself to grow. It’s a refreshing approach that I’ve come to value deeply.
This environment of respect and autonomy makes a real difference. I feel heard, appreciated, and trusted as a professional. There’s a strong sense that everyone’s contribution matters, and that makes showing up to work each day something to look forward to. Being part of a team that shares responsibility, supports each other, and celebrates progress together makes SpinDrive not just a workplace, but a place where people thrive” Franck concluded.
Author: Meifang Xu
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