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 absolutely into the world of IRONMAN endurance occasions, not simply as an government, 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 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 collaborating within the occasions, you’ve positioned your self as the best man to foster IRONMAN’s status as a world 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 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 luxurious health and well being membership firm) the place I used to be a part of a rare crew 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 known as and was taken with what my imaginative and prescient could be for a way we may rework the athlete expertise and actually take it to the following degree, I knew we’d be an ideal 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 general endurance athlete who’s adopted The IRONMAN Group for a few years, that they had me at hi there!
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 assume was doable, competing in one in every of 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 faculty that I bought into lengthy distance operating and endurance sports activities. Throughout faculty, I discovered some mates who had been runners and so I began operating with them. As my profession began to unfold, I bought taken with mountaineering, and for the final 20 years, I’ve had the chance to climb the tallest mountains on this planet. (In March, DeRue is hoping to finish his aim 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 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 12 months 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 a lot of our athletes, we’re juggling many balls within the air on the similar time. At first, it’s necessary to have a crew round you that’s supportive in you attaining your objectives, even when these objectives are tough and embody making sacrifices. I stand 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 operating lengthy distances with no 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 prepare for my first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, so I bought a motorcycle and like a lot of our first timers, simply began and figured it out alongside the way in which. You finally 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 a number of hours across the islands of Florida.
The swimming portion was tougher 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 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 normally prepare 4-5 instances per week. When I’m actually targeted and when I’ve a particular aim in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days per week. My classes in the course of the week can be about an hour a chunk after which on the weekends I’ll prepare for a number of hours.
Has the IRONMAN neighborhood impressed you to push tougher after your first 12 months?
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 12 months, 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 file because the quickest double amputee at this previous 12 months’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 have now athletes who overcome all various kinds of obstacles in life.
UTMB World Sequence this previous 12 months, Vincent Bouillard, who received the lads’s race, will not be even an elite skilled athlete. He’s a HOKA worker. That will be the equal of an IRONMAN worker going and successful the IRONMAN World Championship. Insane! Katie Schide additionally smashed the file 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 position 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 laborious 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 small business position, what do you assume the way forward for endurance sports activities seems to be like?
I’m extremely optimistic. In some ways, we’re in an expertise economic system versus only a consumption economic system today. In endurance sports activities, and particularly participation sports activities, we’re making a platform for experiences that individuals discover objective 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 better diploma than ever earlier than. 5-to-ten years in the past, no one was speaking about longevity.
Now all people’s speaking about it and we’re seeing athletes change into capable of carry out at a better degree for much longer and later of their careers. And that’s true not just for professionals, however our beginner 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 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
