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 govt, however as a bodily participant too. Because of this, M&F had been excited to sit down 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 long run holds for endurance sports activities on the whole.
By participating with the athletes and even participating within the occasions, you will have positioned your self as the best man to foster IRONMAN’s repute as a worldwide 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 College on the College of Michigan. It was an amazing honor and a privilege to have the ability to work with college students from around the globe. 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 rare workforce that rebuilt following the pandemic. All my previous profession strikes have been centered on creating experiences for those who assist them dwell more healthy, happier, and extra joyful lives.
So, when The IRONMAN Group known as and was excited by what my imaginative and prescient could be for the way we might rework the athlete expertise and actually take it to the subsequent stage, I knew we might be a terrific match – for not solely what The IRONMAN Group can do, but additionally the facility 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, they’d me at hiya!
How would you greatest 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 assume was potential, competing in certainly one of 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 similar to basketball and soccer. It wasn’t till faculty that I received into lengthy distance working and endurance sports activities. Throughout faculty, I discovered some associates who had been runners and so I began working with them. As my profession began to unfold, I received excited by mountaineering, and for the final twenty years, I’ve had the chance to climb the tallest mountains on this planet. (In March, DeRue is hoping to finish his purpose 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 like the ‘pleasure of stuff’. I 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 severe 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 online business 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 workforce round you that’s supportive in you reaching your targets, even when these targets are tough and embrace making sacrifices. I stand up early within the morning. I typically come dwelling late at night time. 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 working lengthy distances with no 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 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 best way. You finally discover some associates 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 just a few hours across the islands of Florida.
The swimming portion was more durable for me however one of the vital 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 customized to me and even when I missed a day, it might replace mechanically.
I often practice 4-5 instances per week. When I’m actually centered and when I’ve a particular purpose in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days per week. My periods in the course of the week shall be about an hour a chunk after which on the weekends I’ll practice for just a few hours.
Has the IRONMAN group impressed you to push more durable after your first yr?
I’m fortunate to witness so many inspiring athletes and among 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. Having 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 now have athletes who overcome all various kinds of obstacles in life.
Taking a look at UTMB World Collection this previous yr, Vincent Bouillard, who received the lads’s race, 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 document for the ladies’s division, which was unimaginable 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 function and having the privilege to be a part of this workforce. I 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 exhausting they’ve labored to get to that second with all of the those that have supported them.
Sports activities unites so many individuals! So, again to your online business function, what do you assume the way forward for endurance sports activities appears like?
I’m extremely optimistic. In some ways, we’re in an expertise financial system versus only a consumption financial system nowadays. In endurance sports activities, and specifically participation sports activities, we’re making a platform for experiences that folks discover objective and that means in and wish to be part of. I’m additionally very optimistic as a result of individuals are investing in their very own well being and wellness to a higher diploma than ever earlier than. 5-to-ten years in the past, no one was speaking about longevity.
Now everyone’s speaking about it and we’re seeing athletes turn out to be 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 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 folks to higher themselves and to spend money on their very own well being, wellness and health on the identical 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