Since his appointment as CEO of The IRONMAN Group in early 2024, Scott DeRue has launched into a transformative journey that goes past sensible management. Over the previous a number of months, DeRue has immersed himself totally into the world of IRONMAN endurance occasions, not simply as an government, however as a bodily participant too. For that reason, M&F had been excited to take a seat down with the boss to learn the way he got here to his present function, how he juggles coaching with enterprise targets, and what the longer term holds for endurance sports activities normally.
By partaking with the athletes and even participating within the occasions, you have got positioned your self as the best man to foster IRONMAN’s popularity as a world chief in endurance occasions. However what led you to your present function as CEO?
I had the privilege of serving because the Dean of the Enterprise Faculty on the College of Michigan. It was an amazing honor and a privilege to have the ability to work with college students from world wide. I then had the chance to go function President of Equinox (the posh health and well being membership firm) the place I used to be a part of a unprecedented crew that rebuilt following the pandemic. All my previous profession strikes have been centered on creating experiences for those who assist them stay more healthy, happier, and extra joyful lives.
So, when The IRONMAN Group referred to as and was all in favour of what my imaginative and prescient could be for the way we may rework the athlete expertise and actually take it to the subsequent stage, I knew we might be an awesome match – for not solely what The IRONMAN Group can do, but in addition the facility of endurance sports activities throughout all disciplines. As a runner, cycler, mountain biker, and general endurance athlete who’s adopted The IRONMAN Group for a few years, that they had me at howdy!
How would you finest sum-up the IRONMAN model to newbies?
The IRONMAN Group creates experiences that encourage. If you wish to problem your self, if you wish to uncover your true potential, if you wish to expertise the enjoyment that comes from reaching one thing that possibly you didn’t even suppose was doable, competing in one among our portfolio’s races is for you!
When did your personal love of endurance sports activities start?
I grew up in North Carolina and performed conventional American sports activities resembling basketball and soccer. It wasn’t till school that I received into lengthy distance operating and endurance sports activities. Throughout school, I discovered some buddies who had been runners and so I began operating with them. As my profession began to unfold, I received all in favour of mountaineering, and for the final twenty years, I’ve had the chance to climb the tallest mountains on the planet. (In March, DeRue is hoping to finish his purpose of climbing his seventh summit).
I began operating lengthy distances and getting extra into endurance sports activities to coach for mountaineering. What I got here to find out about myself is that I really like the ‘pleasure of stuff’. I really like the coaching course of as a lot, if no more, than the precise vacation spot or the race itself. It was once I began getting critical about mountaineering that I discovered a love for endurance sports activities, and I accomplished the Gobi March Ultramarathon in 2023.
You additionally tackled your first IRONMAN occasion throughout your first yr as CEO in 2024. How do you handle coaching alongside what you are promoting function?
In October, 2024, I accomplished my first occasion at our half-distance IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon in 5:45:08. Like a lot of our athletes, we’re juggling many balls within the air on the identical time. Firstly, it’s essential to have a crew round you that’s supportive in you reaching your objectives, even when these objectives are troublesome and embrace making sacrifices. I stand up early within the morning. I typically come residence late at evening. I’m coaching earlier than or after work. All people has their very own model of coaching.
Completely. Can we dig into how you want to coach?
I take pleasure in operating lengthy distances and not using a route or a vacation spot in thoughts, and I particularly love operating within the mountains or alongside the water in Florida. I’ve actually got here to develop a love for biking that I didn’t know I had. I’d by no means actually cycled earlier than beginning to practice for my first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, so I received a motorcycle and like a lot of our first timers, simply began and figured it out alongside the way in which. You ultimately discover some buddies to coach with who offer you recommendation. Operating for me is my first ardour, however I actually got here to like biking — going out on a Saturday and using for a couple of hours across the islands of Florida.
The swimming portion was more durable for me however some of the useful issues was our partnership with TriDot, a digital coaching platform. I used it to personalize my teaching and training, so I didn’t have to consider my plan. It was personalised to me and even when I missed a day, it could replace robotically.
I often practice 4-5 instances per week. When I’m actually centered and when I’ve a selected purpose in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days per week. My periods in the course of the week will likely be about an hour a bit after which on the weekends I’ll practice for a couple of hours.
Has the IRONMAN neighborhood impressed you to push more durable after your first yr?
I’m fortunate to witness so many inspiring athletes and a few of the most inspiring moments come from these final hours on the IRONMAN end line. I bear in mind the primary triathlon I went to was the Anzco Meals IRONMAN New Zealand, again in March 2024. One of many final finishers was a extra senior athlete who, the earlier yr, had missed the end cut-off time by a few minutes however this time he crossed the road with simply seconds to spare. That’s a second I’ll always remember!
Watching Billy Monger set a document because the quickest double amputee at this previous yr’s IRONMAN World Championship in Kona was extremely inspiring too. With the ability to perceive his journey and getting to fulfill him and see simply how humble he’s and the way devoted he’s to inspiring others was unimaginable. We’ve got athletes who overcome all several types of obstacles in life.
UTMB World Sequence this previous yr, Vincent Bouillard, who received the lads’s race, will not be even an elite skilled athlete. He’s a HOKA worker. That may be the equal of an IRONMAN worker going and profitable the IRONMAN World Championship. Insane! Katie Schide additionally smashed the document for the ladies’s division, which was unimaginable to witness.
There are such a lot of athlete tales throughout triathlon and path operating. That’s one of many joys of being on this function and having the privilege to be a part of this crew. I really like attending to witness these tales first-hand and attending to know these athletes. Engaged on the bottom, you get to understand and perceive their journeys and the way arduous they’ve labored to get to that second with all of the those who have supported them.
Sports activities unites so many individuals! So, again to what you are promoting function, what do you suppose the way forward for endurance sports activities seems to be like?
I’m extremely optimistic. In some ways, we’re in an expertise financial system versus only a consumption financial system lately. In endurance sports activities, and specifically participation sports activities, we’re making a platform for experiences that individuals discover objective and that means in and need to be part of. I’m additionally very optimistic as a result of persons are investing in their very own well being and wellness to a larger diploma than ever earlier than. 5-to-ten years in the past, no person was speaking about longevity.
Now everyone’s speaking about it and we’re seeing athletes develop into in a position to carry out at a better stage for much longer and later of their careers. And that’s true not just for execs, however our newbie and age group athletes as properly. These are robust tailwinds for the way forward for endurance sports activities as a result of we’re a platform for individuals to higher themselves and to spend money on their very own well being, wellness and health on the identical time!
To get entangled in IRONMAN go to: https://www.ironman.com/ and to comply with Scott DeRue’s progress on Instagram click on right here https://www.instagram.com/scottderue/?hl=en
