Beyond the Finish Line: A Community that Changes You

Makayla Neinas
9 minutes ago
4 min read

A myTEAM TRIUMPH Volunteer's WHY"

Some people find myTEAM TRIUMPH by accident. Some are drawn in by someone they love. Others discover, over time, that they were always meant to be here.

For Cori Soukup, becoming an Angel began behind the scenes. She did not start on the course. She started at the finish line, camera in hand, capturing moments that spoke straight to the heart.

“When my husband started running with the team, I tagged along to take photos and make finish line videos. I loved capturing those moments and did it for years while resisting every invitation to actually run.”

Eventually, those moments pulled her in.

From Behind the Camera to the Course

Cori credits her husband, Todd, as the reason she became involved with myTEAM TRIUMPH. Watching him run alongside Captains slowly changed something inside her.

“Then I watched Todd finish the Door County Triathlon with our cousin Doug, and something in me changed. I just wanted to be out there with him and the captains.”

That moment was the turning point. She stopped saying no. She joined the crew.

“Eventually, I caved and joined the crew, and I’m so incredibly thankful I did.”

Inclusion Beyond the Classroom

As a teacher for nearly twenty years, much of that time in special education, Cori has always cared deeply about inclusion. Before mTT, that care lived mostly in the classroom.

“Supporting and caring for students with special needs has always been close to my heart. But my efforts toward inclusion used to live mostly within the walls of education.”

myTEAM TRIUMPH expanded her understanding of what inclusion could look like in the wider world.

“Joining MTT has opened my eyes to a much broader understanding of what true inclusion means and how powerful it can be beyond the classroom.”

A First Race Filled With Meaning

Cori’s first race as an Angel was the Color Run, and it could not have been a more meaningful beginning.

She ran alongside her husband, but the true magic came from pushing Jude and Ella together. Their mom, Nieda, is one of Cori’s closest friends, someone she has known since birth.

“Distance makes it hard for us to see each other often, so when her family made the trip to join us, I was so touched. Getting to push Ella in my very first race meant the world to me.”

It was the perfect introduction to what myTEAM TRIUMPH is all about.

Moments That Stay With You Forever

When Cori reflects on her most powerful memories with Captains, two moments rise above the rest.

The first was watching Bea cross the finish line after completing their very first 5K independently, using forearm crutches.

“Their arms were shaking, sweat poured from the effort, but their smile stretched from ear to ear. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight.”

That moment continues to inspire her.

“I often remind myself to channel my inner Bea whenever I need to find a little extra strength.”

Another moment lives even deeper in her heart.

A Finish Line That Meant Everything

During Cori’s first half marathon, she and Todd pushed her mom, just weeks after their family made the difficult decision to move her into memory care due to Alzheimer’s.

“It had been a difficult and heavy time. We were only a couple of weeks into the transition when Todd suggested we sign her up and push her together.”

That day was filled with what Cori calls pocket moments. One of the biggest moments came when her mom asked her to hold her hand.

“Small enough to fit in your pocket, but precious enough to keep forever.”

“She was a little confused, and holding my hand comforted her. I ran beside the cart, hand in hand, while Todd pushed.”

Her mom looked up often and shared words Cori will never forget. Crossing the finish line together was unforgettable.

“She kept telling me how proud she was.” “Crossing the finish line with her and Todd was too big a moment to fit in any pocket, but it’s one I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life.”

Redefining Running

myTEAM TRIUMPH completely changed Cori’s relationship with running.

“MTT has kind of ruined running for me in the best way. I don’t quite get the point of running anymore if you’re not doing it with a Captain.”

For her, running now means connection, purpose, and shared joy. Through being an Angel, Cori has learned that strength and speed are not the point.

“I am not the strongest or the fastest runner. And it doesn’t matter at all.”

What matters are the moments.

“It’s about Brooklyn’s smile, Luci’s excitement over the turtle, Max booping my nose, a selfie with Delia, Doug’s finish line pose, Mason’s smile. It’s them. They are what matters.”

A Community that Changes You

Reflecting on her experience with myTEAM TRIUMPH brings emotion quickly.

“Since joining MTT, I’ve been supported and cheered on both on and off the course. I’ve been blessed and humbled, and I’ve been inspired and filled with pride.”

This community has reshaped how she views the world.

“This community, this family, has changed how I view compassion, how I define strength, and how I measure what really matters.”

For Anyone Thinking About Becoming an Angel

If Cori could offer one message to someone on the fence about joining, it would be this:

“Running with MTT is the best thing you can do for your heart, physically and emotionally.”