By his own Appointment as Managing Director of the Ironman Group in early 2024Scott Derue has begun a transformative journey that transcends practical leadership. In recent months, Derue has been completely immersed in the world of Ironman endurance events, not only as executive but also as a physicist. For this reason, M & f He was excited to sit with the boss to find out how he came to his current role, how he weighs training with business goals, and what is the future for endurance sports in general.
By working with athletes and even by participating in the events, you have placed yourself as the ideal person to promote Ironman’s reputation as a world leader in endurance events. But what led you to your current role as CEO?
I had the privilege of serving as a dean of the Business School at the University of Michigan. It was a huge honor and a privilege to be able to work with students from all over the world. Then I had the opportunity to go to serve as president of Equinox (the luxurious Gymnastics and Health Company), where I was part of a great team that was rebuilt after the pandemic. All my previous career moves have focused on creating experiences for people who help them live healthier, happier and happier lives.
So when the Ironman Group called and interested in what could be my vision of how we could transform the athlete’s experience and really get it to the next level, I knew we would be very appropriate – why not only that Where can the Ironman team do, as well as the power of endurance sports in all sectors. As a runner, cyclist, mountain cyclist and total strength athlete who followed the Ironman team for many years, they had me in Hello!
How would you better summarize the Ironman brand to beginners?
The Ironman team creates inspirational experiences. If you want to question yourself, if you want to discover your real potential, if you want to experience the joy that comes from achieving something you might not think it was possible, competing in one of our portfolio races is for you!
When did your love for endurance sports begin?
I grew up in North Carolina and played traditional American sports such as basketball and football. It was not up to college that I took long distances and endurance sports. During the college, I found some friends who were runners so I started running with them. As my career began to unfold, I was interested in mountaineering and for the last two decades, I had the opportunity to climb the highest mountains in the world. (In March, Derue hopes to complete his goal of climbing his seventh summit).
I started running long distances and taking more in endurance sports to train for mountaineering. What I came to know about myself is that I like the “joy of materials”. I love the training process so, if not more, than the real destination or the race itself. It was when I began to take seriously the mountaineering I found a love for endurance sports and completed Gobi March’s Ultramarathon in 2023.
You also treated your first Ironman event during your first year as CEO in 2024. How do you manage training alongside your business role?
In October 2024, I completed my first event at Triathlon, North Carolina at 5:45:08. Like many of our athletes, we weigh a lot of balls in the air at the same time. First of all, it is important to have a team around you that supports you by achieving your goals, even if these goals are difficult and include sacrifices. I got up early in the morning. Sometimes I come home late at night. I train before or after work. Everyone has their own version of training.
Absolutely. Can we dig out how you want to train?
I like to run long distances without a route or destination in the mind, and I especially like to run in the mountains or along the water in Florida. I really came to develop a love for cycling I didn’t know I had. I had never really turned around before I started training for my first Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, so I got a bike and like many of our first timers, I just started understanding it. You finally find some friends to train with those who give you tips. Running for me is my first passion, but I really came to love cycling – to go out on a Saturday and ride for a few hours around the Florida islands.
Swimming section was harder for me, but one of the most useful things was our cooperation with Tricotya digital training platform. I used it to personalize my training and training, so I didn’t have to think about my plan. He was personalized to me and even if I was missing one day, he would be automatically updated.
I usually train 4-5 times a week. When I’m really focused and when I have a specific target on my mind, my training can reach up to six days a week. My sessions during the week will be about an hour a bit and then on weekends I will train for a few hours.
The Ironman community inspired you to push harder after your first year?
I am lucky to see so many inspiration athletes and some of the most inspirational moments come from these last hours on the Ironman finish line. I remember the first triathlon I went to was Anzco Foods Ironman New Zealand in March 2024. He times crossed the line with a few seconds to lose. This is a time I will never forget!
Billy Monger’s monitoring set a record as the fastest double amputation at this last year’s Ironman World Championship in Kona was incredibly inspired. Being able to understand his journey and meet him and see how humble he is and how dedicated it is to inspire others was incredible. We have athletes who transcend all different types of obstacles in life.
Looking at UTMB World Series this year, Vincent Bouillard, who won the men’s race, is not even a elite professional athlete. He is an employee of Hoka. This would be the equivalent of an Ironman employee who is going and won the Ironman World Championship. Insane! Katie Schide also broke the record for the women’s section, which was incredible to witness.
There are so many stories of athletes throughout the triathlon and the path they run. This is one of his joys to be in this role and to have the privilege of being a member of this team. I like to see these first -hand stories and know these athletes. By working on the ground, you can appreciate and understand their travels and how hard they have worked to get to that moment with all the people who supported them.
Sports unite so many people! So back to your business role, what do you think the future of endurance sports looks like?
I am incredibly optimistic. In many ways, we are in an economy of experience as opposed to a single consumption economy these days. In endurance sports, and especially the participation sports, we create a platform for experiences that people find purpose and meaning and want to participate. I am also very optimistic because people invest in their health and well -being to a greater extent than ever. Five to ten years ago, no one was talking about longevity.
Now everyone is talking about it and we see athletes being able to perform at a higher level much more and later in their career. And this applies not only to professionals, but also to amateurs and athletes of our age team. These are a strong tail for the future of endurance sports, because we are a platform for people to improve themselves and invest in their health, well -being and fitness at the same time!
To join the Ironman Visit: https://www.ironman.com/ And to follow Scott Derue’s progress on Instagram click here
