Jake Ruch Takes on IRONMAN Maine to Help Empower Adaptive Athletes

On July 26, 2026, Jake Ruch will stand at the starting line of the IRONMAN in Augusta, Maine—ready to take on one of the most demanding endurance races in the world.

But for Jake, this isn’t just a race.

It’s a mission.

Jake is training and competing with a purpose that goes far beyond personal achievement: to help expand opportunity in athletics and support the continued growth of Empower Sports Network—an organization committed to creating inclusive athletic opportunities for individuals of all abilities, including kids and adults with special needs.

In a message to Empower Sports Network, Jake shared what’s driving him:

“This Ironman is my way of advocating through action, not words.I know that without sport, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It gave me discipline, confidence, and community. As a coach, I see firsthand how powerful access to sport can be, which is why I’m racing to help adaptive athletes have the same opportunity.Every training mile I log is for more than just me.”

That message is exactly what Empower Sports Network stands for.

Sports have the power to change lives. They build confidence, create community, and give people a place to belong. Most importantly, they remind us of something simple but powerful: we all live in the same world—and we need to learn how to work and live together.

At Empower Sports Network, we believe athletics is one of the best vehicles to make that happen. It brings people together, builds connection, and creates meaningful opportunities for athletes who deserve the chance to grow, compete, and shine.

We’re incredibly grateful that Jake is using his platform to help raise money for Empower Sports Network and expand our reach, so we can continue building inclusive programs and creating more opportunities for our athletes.

Jake’s story is built on competition, leadership, and a lifelong passion for performance. He began coaching with Team RYPT in 2015 and quickly worked his way into a leadership role as an Assistant Sports Performance Coach. As a former high-level baseball athlete and an Exercise Science graduate, Jake has dedicated his career to helping athletes build confidence, strength, and discipline—values he now brings into his IRONMAN training and his support of Empower Sports Network.

Jake also serves as the weightlifting coach for Empower Sports Network CEO Sam Kiningham, and continues to lead by example through the way he trains, coaches, and shows up for others.

You can follow Jake’s training journey on Instagram at @empoweredacademynj.

Jake isn’t racing just to prove he can do something difficult—he’s racing to make a statement: access matters. Opportunity matters. And athletes of every ability deserve the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves.

On July 26th, as Jake takes on IRONMAN Maine, he’ll be carrying much more than his own goals—he’ll be carrying a message of inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment.

And we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

Support Jake’s IRONMAN Fundraiser

If you’d like to support Jake and help Empower Sports Network grow, you can donate here:https://givebutter.com/JakeForEmpower

Every donation helps us expand programs, create more opportunities, and support athletes who deserve access to sport, community, and belief.