Beyond the Finish Line: A Triathlete on Transformation
Magna data solutions engineer Luke Laidlaw has a pre-triathlon ritual that keeps him going the distance for 70.3 miles of swimming, biking and running. He dedicates the event to a special person and writes their initials in black marker on the back of his hand.
This small gesture gives Laidlaw motivation during the grueling event and “attaches more people and purpose to what I do,” he explains.
This year, he expects his forearms to be covered with the initials of his friends and Magna co-workers from the Norplas Industries division who are supporting him with hundreds of dollars as he gears up for the 2025 Grand Rapids Triathlon on June 8 as part of the Make-A-Wish Dream Team. He has raised over $2,000 USD and counting to help grant wishes for the kids at Make-A-Wish Michigan in the process.
“It’s amazing that Magna sets aside so many resources to make an impact.”
As an added bonus, the Magna Matching Fund doubles the impact of employee giving to eligible charities or causes.
“It’s amazing that Magna sets aside so many resources to make an impact,” said Laidlaw. “I plan to reach back out to those who donated once the race gets closer to ask if anyone wants me to run in memory of someone or dedicate a mile number to them. It’s a great way to show my appreciation for their support.”
Laidlaw describes himself as “just a dad who is being intentional and trying to be a good example” to his three children, Brooks, 4, Charlie Rose, 2 and baby Emma June. He uses #dadswhotri in all his social media posts.
In reality, he has adopted a continuous improvement mindset in his personal life and his work as part of the Magna IT team.
“I’m always looking at things from a process perspective and how we can use technology to improve it,” said Laidlaw, noting that many of his Magna projects at the Northwood, Ohio, division feed into Factory of the Future initiatives.
His time with Magna began as an operator at a Michigan mirrors plant during a summer break from college. His career path includes earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Kettering University.
Tracking his personal goals comes naturally. He has lost 30 pounds since Emma June’s birth in 2024 by giving up goodies like lemon cheesecake ice cream and embracing a 75-day transformation challenge that includes two 45-minute daily workouts and reading 10 pages of a book. The daily reading dovetails with his participation in the Norplas book club dubbed “How Leaders Learn.” Beating his best time of under 5½ hours is a goal for the upcoming race.
As a triathlete with eight half-Iron Man races under his belt (yes, eight!), Laidlaw aims to inspire his co-workers and his kids, who serve as his training buddies. The girls pile into a jogging cart and Brooks jumps on his bike as they accompany their dad on a winding trail near their home.
“The races help me reflect and be grateful that I have three healthy children,” he said. “This is my small way of giving back – and a really rewarding experience.”
Transformation can be challenging, but also an opportunity for growth. What’s one thing you can do—personally or professionally—to stay energized and resilient?
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