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 how he got here to his present position, how he juggles coaching with enterprise targets, and what the long run holds for endurance sports activities normally.
By partaking with the athletes and even participating within the occasions, you will have positioned your self as the perfect man to foster IRONMAN’s popularity as a worldwide chief in endurance occasions. However what led you to your present position as CEO?
I had the privilege of serving because the Dean of the Enterprise College on the College of Michigan. It was an incredible honor and a privilege to have the ability to work with college students from all over the world. 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 group 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 known as and was serious about what my imaginative and prescient may be for a way we might remodel the athlete expertise and actually take it to the subsequent stage, I knew we’d be an important match – for not solely what The IRONMAN Group can do, but additionally the ability of endurance sports activities throughout all disciplines. As a runner, cycler, mountain biker, and total endurance athlete who’s adopted The IRONMAN Group for a few years, that they had me at hey!
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 perhaps you didn’t even suppose was attainable, competing in one in all our portfolio’s races is for you!
When did your individual 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 faculty that I acquired into lengthy distance working and endurance sports activities. Throughout faculty, I discovered some pals who had been runners and so I began working with them. As my profession began to unfold, I acquired serious about mountaineering, and for the final twenty years, I’ve had the chance to climb the tallest mountains on the earth. (In March, DeRue is hoping to finish his aim of climbing his seventh summit).
I began working lengthy distances and getting extra into endurance sports activities to coach for mountaineering. What I got here to study 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 after 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 your small business position?
In October, 2024, I accomplished my first occasion at our half-distance IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon in 5:45:08. Like lots of our athletes, we’re juggling many balls within the air on the similar time. Initially, it’s essential to have a group round you that’s supportive in you reaching your objectives, even when these objectives are troublesome and embrace making sacrifices. I rise up early within the morning. I generally come house late at night time. I’m coaching earlier than or after work. Everyone has their very own model of coaching.
Completely. Can we dig into how you want to coach?
I get pleasure from working lengthy distances and not using a route or a vacation spot in thoughts, and I particularly love working 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 prepare for my first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, so I acquired a motorcycle and like lots of our first timers, simply began and figured it out alongside the way in which. You finally discover some pals to coach with who provide you with recommendation. Working 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 tougher for me however one of the crucial useful issues was our partnership with TriDot, a digital coaching platform. I used it to personalize my teaching and schooling, so I didn’t have to consider my plan. It was customized to me and even when I missed a day, it will replace robotically.
I often prepare 4-5 instances every week. When I’m actually targeted and when I’ve a particular aim in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days every week. My periods through the week will probably be about an hour a bit after which on the weekends I’ll prepare for a couple of hours.
Has the IRONMAN neighborhood impressed you to push tougher after your first yr?
I’m fortunate to witness so many inspiring athletes and a number 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 report 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 unbelievable. We’ve got athletes who overcome all various kinds of obstacles in life.
Taking a look at UTMB World Collection this previous yr, Vincent Bouillard, who gained the lads’s race, just isn’t 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 report for the ladies’s division, which was unbelievable to witness.
There are such a lot of athlete tales throughout triathlon and path working. That’s one of many joys of being on this position and having the privilege to be a part of this group. 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 people who have supported them.
Sports activities unites so many individuals! So, again to your small business position, what do you suppose the way forward for endurance sports activities seems like?
I’m extremely optimistic. In some ways, we’re in an expertise economic system versus only a consumption economic system nowadays. In endurance sports activities, and specifically participation sports activities, we’re making a platform for experiences that folks discover function and which means in and wish 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 turn into in a position to carry out at the next stage for much longer and later of their careers. And that’s true not just for professionals, however our newbie and age group athletes as properly. These are sturdy tailwinds for the way forward for endurance sports activities as a result of we’re a platform for individuals to raised themselves and to put money into their very own well being, wellness and health on the similar time!
To become involved 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
