IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Leads the Board Room and Racecource

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 how he got here to his present function, how he juggles coaching with enterprise targets, and what the longer term holds for endurance sports activities generally.

By participating with the athletes and even participating within the occasions, you’ve gotten positioned your self as the best man to foster IRONMAN’s status 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 Faculty on the College of Michigan. It was an amazing 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 rare staff that rebuilt following the pandemic. All my previous profession strikes have been centered on creating experiences for those that assist them reside more healthy, happier, and extra joyful lives. 

So, when The IRONMAN Group referred to as and was enthusiastic about what my imaginative and prescient is perhaps for a way we might remodel the athlete expertise and actually take it to the subsequent degree, I knew we might be a terrific match – for not solely what The IRONMAN Group can do, but in addition the ability 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 hey!

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 attaining one thing that perhaps you didn’t even suppose was doable, competing in one among 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 akin to basketball and soccer. It wasn’t till school that I bought into lengthy distance working and endurance sports activities. Throughout school, I discovered some mates who had been runners and so I began working with them. As my profession began to unfold, I bought enthusiastic about 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 objective 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 corporation function?

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 staff round you that’s supportive in you attaining your targets, even when these targets are troublesome and embrace making sacrifices. I rise up early within the morning. I typically come dwelling late at evening. 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 take pleasure in working lengthy distances with out 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 practice for my first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, so I bought a motorcycle and like lots of our first timers, simply began and figured it out alongside the best way. You ultimately discover some mates to coach with who offer you recommendation. Working 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 tougher for me however one of the 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 might replace mechanically. 

I often practice 4-5 occasions per week. When I’m actually centered and when I’ve a particular objective in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days per week. My classes throughout the week might be about an hour a chunk after which on the weekends I’ll practice for just a few hours.

Has the IRONMAN neighborhood impressed you to push tougher 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. Now we have athletes who overcome all several types of obstacles in life. 

UTMB World Collection this previous yr, Vincent Bouillard, who gained the lads’s race, is just not even an elite skilled athlete. He’s a HOKA worker. That may be the equal of an IRONMAN worker going and successful 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 staff. 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 onerous 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 your corporation function, what do you suppose the way forward for endurance sports activities appears to be like 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 folks discover function and which means in and need 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 larger 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 develop into in a position to carry out at a better degree for much longer and later of their careers. And that’s true not just for professionals, however our novice and age group athletes as effectively. These are sturdy tailwinds for the way forward for endurance sports activities as a result of we’re a platform for folks to higher themselves and to put money into their very own well being, wellness and health on the similar time!

To get entangled in IRONMAN go to: https://www.ironman.com/ and to observe Scott DeRue’s progress on Instagram click on right here https://www.instagram.com/scottderue/?hl=en