Since 2018, ECI has been a proud participant in the Corporate Challenge. Hear from ECI's Health and Wellness Coordinator, Matthew Dahle, on the value this program has brought over the past 8 years.
At ECI, wellness is more than an employee benefit because it’s part of the company’s DNA. Few people embody that commitment more than Matthew Dahle who serves as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. As Matthew explains, “life inevitably presents us with challenges, and maintaining our health is one of the most effective ways to meet them head-on.” He believes that fitness strengthens far more than the body. “When we take control of our fitness, we improve our resilience, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally,” he says.
This deep-rooted culture of wellness is part of why ECI joined the P3R Corporate Challenge in 2018, the same year they redesigned and expanded their employee fitness offerings. Matthew says the program aligned perfectly with their mission because “running is an inclusive activity—it requires no special equipment, no prior experience, and no minimum fitness level.” He explains that anyone can join simply by taking the first step. Over the years, P3R’s attention to detail has kept ECI coming back. Matt compliments P3R’s efforts by going on to say that, “Their team does an exceptional job organizing the event, supporting corporate teams, and creating a race weekend experience that employees remember long after the finish line.”
For ECI, the Corporate Challenge plays an especially important role during the winter. Matthew explains that it gives employees something meaningful to rally around during the winter months and goes on to mention that it is, “a shared goal to anticipate, an exciting marker that signals the heart of spring and better weather ahead.” One part of the Corporate Challenge the team looks forward to each year is P3R’s visit to ECI in November to help launch their training cycle. He says this visit “sets the tone and gives our employees the confidence to begin.” By race weekend, the energy around the office is electric, and the expo at the convention center feels like the true kickoff to a new season of activity and wellness.
After the race, employees gather at the company’s designated meetup spot to celebrate and share their experiences. While the Corporate Challenge culminates in a memorable race day, many employees cherish the months leading up to it just as much. Matt notes that the training process creates a level of teamwork and motivation that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
After eight years of P3R events, ECI has collected countless funny and inspiring moments. Those range from shoe mishaps, last-minute clothing failures, runners forgetting band-aids, and even bachelor parties the night before a relay. However, one story stands out more than any other for Matt. In 2024, the team encouraged a new employee to join the relay, even though they were reluctant. Not only did they complete their leg of the race, but something changed for them that day. They caught the “running bug” and committed themselves fully to improving their health. Over the next year, they lost more than 80 pounds, transformed their lifestyle, and ultimately completed the 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon in an extraordinary 3 hours and 43 minutes. Matthew says he sees their journey as a powerful example of why he does the work he does. “It’s a story that captures exactly why we continue to show up for P3R events year after year,” he says.
From the gym floor to the marathon course, ECI’s approach to wellness is fueled by the belief that fitness can unlock confidence, connection, and life-changing moments. The Corporate Challenge program has become more than an annual event. Instead, it’s a tradition that brings people together and inspires employees to step into each new season healthier, stronger, and more connected than before.
