Without Compromise

It’s not every day you meet someone who has stood on the highest peak of every continent and now leads one of the world’s most iconic endurance brands. In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Scott DeRue, CEO of The IRONMAN Group, to talk about the journey that brought him from academia to the forefront of global endurance sport.

Now, as CEO, Scott is steering IRONMAN into the future while honoring its rich legacy. He shares what he’s learned from standing at finish lines around the world, how the IRONMAN ethos of “Anything is Possible” applies to both athletes and everyday people, and what excites him about the movement’s next chapter. Outside of his role, Scott is an avid mountaineer, having completed the Seven Summits earlier this year. 

Athletic Brewing and IRONMAN have partnered for years, built on a shared belief that balance, resilience, and community matter as much as performance. Together, they’re helping athletes celebrate their pursuits, without compromise.

This episode was originally published in 2022, but is now more relevant than ever.

When we first released this episode, Lynn Rogers was deep in the fight of navigating her new reality after the sudden onset of CIDP, a rare neurological condition that had left her unable to walk just weeks before she was supposed to compete in her first IRONMAN.

Her resilience, perspective, and determination struck a powerful chord with listeners. So much so, in fact, that her story became the inspiration for Athletic Brewing’s 2024 documentary, Inches to Miles.

Since the release of that film, there’s been a major development: Lynn recently completed an IRONMAN, officially finishing what she set out to do years ago. Her journey from paralysis to the finish line is a remarkable example of what it means to live Without Compromise.

We’re replaying this conversation to honor that achievement and give you a deeper look at the person behind the headlines.

After listening, be sure to:

• Watch Inches to Miles (2024). It’s free on YouTube
• Follow @AthleticBrewing for behind-the-scenes updates and Lynn’s latest finish line moment

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Crosby Colapinto, a rising star on the professional surfing circuit. Hailing from San Clemente, California, Crosby shares what it’s like growing up in the tight-nit surfing community, competing alongside his brother Griffin, and staying grounded while chasing the dream of becoming a world champion. We talk about mental resilience, his love of surfing and golf, and how staying true to your values, on and off the board, is the ultimate mark of success.

Crosby’s laid-back attitude and deep love for the ocean remind us that living without compromise means embracing the journey, not just the destination. Whether you’re a lifelong surfer or just someone chasing your own passion, this episode is full of heart, grit, and inspiration.

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Jazmine Lowther, a professional trail runner, plant biologist, and coach. Raised on a farm in Nelson, British Columbia, Jazmine found her footing early among forests and alpine trails. From barefoot childhood adventures to breaking course records in some of the toughest mountain ultras in the world, her story is one of instinct, curiosity, and bold pivots. We dive into her transition from climbing to ultra-running, her science-driven approach to training, and how she’s navigated injury, competition, and recovery.

Jazmine opens up about what it means to live “without compromise” as both an athlete and a scientist, sharing lessons from the mountains, the lab, and her coaching practice. She reflects on her breakout season, the power of self-coaching, and how her love of wild places fuels not only her athletic pursuits but her environmental ethos. Whether you’re chasing your next race or just looking to reconnect with what moves you, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded conversation on balance, grit, and doing things differently.

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with elite mountain runner and endurance athlete Tyler Andrews to unpack his bold attempt to set a speed record on Mount Everest. From hallucinations at 8,400 meters to boot failures and brutal weather windows, Tyler brings us deep into the mental and physical demands of chasing FKTs at the highest altitudes on Earth. He reflects on what went right, what went wrong, and why he’s still hungry for more. We also explore the mindset that drives him to live without compromise—whether he's racing up volcanoes, running hundreds of miles, or planning his next summit push.

Find out more about Athletic Brewing at athleticbrewing.com

Watch Athletic Brewing's FKT documentary, Journey to 100, here.

Brenden Blotnicky, Manager of Trail Development & Volunteers for Trans Canada Trail, joins us to explore how one of the world’s longest recreational networks comes to life, and thrives. From early-morning runs along the salt marshes of Nova Scotia to coordinating national trail expansions and volunteer programs, Brenden brings both heart and strategy to a job that connects communities across Canada. In this episode, we dig into his path to trail stewardship, how his background in environmental management shapes his work, and the real-world impact of support from Athletic Brewing’s Two for the Trails program. Brenden also shares the lessons he’s learned from volunteers, the biggest challenges of scaling a national trail system, and why he believes the future of sustainable recreation starts with community. While you're listening, dreaming of being out on a trail or your next adventure, crack open a cold Athletic brew!

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Omar Shaikh, Global Partnerships and Ventures Director at Arsenal Football Club. Omar shares his journey to the Premier League club and his work in strengthening the connection they have with their supporters in London around the world. He opens up about the history and values of the club, and the lessons he’s learned while navigating the intersection of sport, business, and brand strategy.

Omar also discusses what it takes to build meaningful partnerships in football, how Arsenal stays true to its values while innovating for the future, and why purpose-driven leadership is key to staying ahead. Whether you're passionate about sports, leadership, or charting your own path, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and inspiration. Plus, don’t miss Omar’s take on living Without Compromise on and off the pitch.

James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd made his name celebrating Houston’s diverse food culture but his impact hasn't stopped there. In this episode, Chris shares how his passion for cooking evolved into a deeper calling. After witnessing firsthand (and hearing countless stories about) the unique challenges faced by service industry professionals, he founded the Southern Smoke Foundation to support those needs. 

The impact was immediate and Chris hasn't looked back. Chris has stepped away from the restaurant world to focus full-time on the nonprofit, which has since distributed over $14 million to industry professionals in crisis.

We dive deep into stories of resilience, the state of mental health in the food world, and how a collab with Aftershift, brewed with Athletic Brewing, has become a symbol of resilience and recognition for service industry professionals everywhere.

In this episode of Without Compromise we sit down with Ryan Chao, President of Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), to explore the transformative power of trails, not just as places to recreate, but as vital community infrastructure. With a background in architecture and community development, Ryan shares how his personal journey led him to advocate for a nation connected by trails. From biking and skiing with his family to navigating policy and equity challenges, Ryan offers a compelling look at how trails support health, economic opportunity, and environmental resilience across urban, rural, and suburban communities alike.

We also dive into Celebrate Trails Day and RTC’s partnership with Athletic Brewing through the Two for the Trails program, Athletic’s cornerstone initiative that supports trails across the country and world. Whether you’re a lifelong trail user or just starting to explore the outdoors, this conversation will leave you inspired to get involved and advocate for accessible, connected open spaces for all.

In this episode, we sit down with the hilarious and multi-talented Danae Hays—former Division I softball player turned comedian, musician, and viral content creator. Danae opens up about growing up in small-town Morris, Alabama, the early influence of sports on her confidence and creativity, and whether she was, in fact, the funniest one in the dugout. We trace her path from post-college uncertainty to that moment when she realized comedy wasn’t just a side hustle—it was her next homerun.

Danae shares how she crafts her unique blend of Southern charm with unfiltered humor and outrageous characters, what it’s like building a massive online audience, and the highs and lows of life on her very first stand-up tour. Plus: rapid-fire favorites, Southern sayings, and her take on living Without Compromise.