Scott Zagarino: Life Lessons And Inspiration From The Triathlon Ironwar

Scott Zagarino is the mastermind behind the “1989TheStory.com” project, a historical account of the greatest triathlon race of all time. In the aftermath of the wonderful interview with protagonists Mark Allen and Dave Scott, I catch up with my old-time triathlon training partner, sponsor, and mentor to reflect not only on the significance of the Mark and Dave story, but how this athletic battle can translate into an assortment of life lessons and peak performance inspiration.

Scott was a prominent figure in the triathlon scene for many years in the 80s and 90s. His entrepreneurial spirit ushered the sport into the modern era in many ways. He was the point man for huge sponsorship deals for the Hawaii Ironman, he dreamed up spectator-friendly competition formats and brought unique new events to life, and he was the first person to form a team of professional athletes under one sponsor and connected directly with his charity, Triathletes For Kids. His long career in sports marketing has recently returned him to triathlon for this ambitious multimedia project centered around the 1989 Ironwar. Even if you aren’t a triathlete, I think you will appreciate our discussion of how we can take inspiration from athletes putting everything on the line, dusting themselves off and carrying on after failures, and the need for all of us to pursue our passions and test our limits in daily life.

TIMESTAMPS:

Brad and Scott talk about the life lessons, the metaphors, and the inspiration that you can draw from the Ironman race itself. [04:08]

The well known 1989 Iron War with Mark Allen and Dave Scott is historic. [07:23]

There was no legacy in triathlon until the late 80s. [10:57]

Did Mark’s marathon in 1989 set a record? [12:57]

Scott talks about how this even taught us about real human character. [14:59]

What was the level of Dave’s career at this point? [17:51]

The relationship between these two men evolved over the years. [19:48]

A demonstration of real human character is the way Dave Scott took his defeat. [27:56]

Some folks are happy with “one and done.” [31:57]

Is it mental toughness that carries the athlete above the pack? [35:25]

The ability to focus has changed drastically in 30 years. [39:44]

Peer pressure can discourage children. [43:14]

Zagarino’s message is about building character and helping others. [44:18]

Scott talks about becoming a monk. [49:17]

There’s no correlation at all between triathlon and health. [56:22]

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