Connect
To Top

Meet Michael Marckx of Monuments of Cycling, Creative Disruption, Eliel Cycling and Wattie Ink

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Marckx.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child, I grew up the oldest of four kids with very active parents. All of six of us were marathoners, bike riders and athletes in various sports. I ran my first marathon the same year I did my first bike race when I was 12 years old… That’s not saying much when my brothers ran their first marathons at age eight and nine.

From age 11 on, we spent our summer vacations in San Diego, in Leucadia, and we all fell in love with everything about the place. So much so, my brothers and I moved here and set up our various businesses. We loved the laidback lifestyle, the wide selection of surf breaks, running in the lagoons and along the beach, and the general vibe of being around people who cherished the same wonderful characteristics of this special place.

After college, where I was an athlete in several different sports, I focused on being a triathlete and made the US National Team after winning the World Duathlon Championships as an amateur and competing in the triathlon long course World Championship in Nice. This is when I moved to San Diego, which is the mecca of the endurance sports world and I got to train with the best of the best athletes here. I also got to enjoy surfing and playing music in between the bike riding and running. I did a TEDx Talk on this particular time in my life, as it has profoundly affected me ever since.

Along the way, I got to play music with renowned bands, compete all over the world, be a publisher with Surfing Magazine, and be an executive with myriad sports brands, like Op, Billabong, Nixon, Adidas, Globe International and 100%. I was also the president and CEO of Spy Inc in its heyday and I am most proud of being the Chairman of the Board of the global Surfrider Foundation.

Currently, I am the CEO of Monuments of Cycling, a company that puts on world-class cycling events around the US. I invented the San Diego event, the Belgian Waffle Ride, ten years ago and that race has become the largest of its kind in the US with the special moniker of ‘the most unique cycling event in the country.’ I also am the Chief Marketing Officer of the San Diego brands, Eliel Cycling and Wattie Ink. Lastly, as the CDO of Creative Disruption, I frequently lecture and teach at numerous Universities, do keynote presentations on branding and consult with other companies in the sports world, like Canyon bikes, 100% and Beachly.

I love living in Leucadia and so does my wife, Christine, and two kids, Jahan and Romi. Our experience here has been so enriching, with great sports clubs, excellent surfing, wonderful dining and a supportive network of warm and friendly neighbors…

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it wasn’t when I was younger. I has all the support from my parents and coaches as a young athlete and musician and enjoyed the freedom of knowing there was no such thing as failure. But, just at the height of my athletic career, after winning a world championship and turning pro, I was struck by a car, with the resulting injuries requiring 18 months of rehab and strength building. Some of the injuries still plaque me today.

In short, that accident and the ensuing pivot it forced me to make required a paradigm shift for me in terms of my point of view on success, happiness and fulfillment. Unfortunately, that accident wasn’t my last and I have had several more run ins with negligent drivers, the likes of which have required lots of hospital time, surgeries and readjustment to life without all the physical strengths I used to have.

Through it all, my life has been edified by inspiring people, teachers and bosses who have encouraged me to reach, grow and aspire for more. Now I spend my time doing the same for students, coworkers and teammates. I concept of giving back and being in service to others is perhaps the best thing we can absorb into our lives. The greatest joy I get now is from turning the lightbulbs on in people’s heads.

Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about you and your career so far?
I enjoy sharing ideas and coming up with concepts that are new and sometimes disruptive. Actually, I really enjoy shaking things up when they need it. I have a healthy disrespect for the usual and this is expressed in many areas of my life: Events, campaigns, solutions, music, writing and things I am attracted to; as well as my Tedx Talk.

Over many years, I’ve become a brand student, strategist and leader. I have a creative and results-proven track record in myriad arenas—brand leadership, innovative strategies, marketing disruption, storytelling, events, film, publishing, product development and culture building.

I’ve driven product branding through the full cycle—from concept generation and refinement to launch. I’m experienced within start-up, turnaround and mature brand scenarios. I’ve built and cultivated team-based environments that foster growth and positivity. I endeavor to inspire passion in coworkers and consumers alike. For consumers, I love conjuring up integrated marketing strategies that surprise and delight. As a result, I’ve created some unusual marketing concepts.

I frequently speak at Universities and Conferences. I play the drums, surf, race my bike and try to keep up with my kids. I continually seek out learning opportunities and this has me reading a lot.

Shaking things up a bit gets the previously inert into motion. Lots of good comes from this. I think this is what I have become known for if I’m known for anything… creative campaigns or products that capture people’s imaginations. I produced and crafted the greatest selling surf film DVD of all time, the Spy Happy Lens, the Belgian Waffle Ride, the Grand Roadie-Oh, and a host of award-winning campaigns, films and tv commercials.

What I think allows me to make things happen is that not only do I come up with the creative ideas, but I execute on them as a leader and practitioner. While I’ve always enjoyed working with great people on projects, I find my role is in setting a creative vision and creating the guard rails for really talented people to do what they do best.

At Eliel, our vision is happy butts sitting on bikes everywhere, and at Wattie Ink. It is all about creating conduits for athletes to make their statements. Everything we do with these brands is predicated on living up the unique ethos of these to powerful San Diego brands.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have gotten into being in service to others sooner. It just feels best. Embarrassingly, this means I would have learned much sooner not to be so selfish and ego-driven. There are always people faster, better, smarter, more talented, but there are those you can help to be all of those things if you take the time to share.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Jake Orness, Steve Driscoll, Colin Finlay

Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in