Team Member Spotlight

For the Eckermann family of Bee Cave, Texas, Beef Team isn’t just about logging miles or earning race medals—it’s become a way to spend quality time together, stay active, and create lasting family memories.

This active family includes Katie and Ben Eckermann, their children Austin (14) and Sophie (11), and two feline companions, Marshmallow Fluff and Snowdrop. While Ben has been part of the Beef Team for more than a decade, the rest of the family recently joined in. 

“We get to run together and learn about beef as a family,” says Katie. “Having kids on the Beef Team makes it so much more fun.”

Neither Ben nor Katie is originally from Texas. Ben grew up in Adelaide, Australia, while Katie hails from Portland, Oregon. The two met nearly 20 years ago after both finding their way to the Lone Star State, where they eventually built a life, family, and shared passion for fitness.

Both work in the technology industry—Katie as Director of Southwest Strategy & Solution Planning at AMD and Ben as a Systems Architect at NXP. Yet despite busy schedules, fitness remains a family priority.

“We are early risers and enjoy doing our workouts early in the morning so that they get done before the day begins,” Katie says.

Of course, not everyone in the household appreciates those predawn workouts.

“Austin points out that he is often woken up early by the sounds of feet running on the treadmill and the loud Peloton,” Katie laughs.

Beef Team Inspires the Whole Family

While Ben has been cycling and running for some time, Katie reports that her running journey began during the COVID pandemic when she was looking for a way to get outdoors, improve her health, and clear her mind.

“Now I consider running my ‘me time’ and look forward to running with my tunes or pedaling it out on the Peloton,” Kaite explains.

The kids soon joined the Beef Team Kids program, and proudly sport their team shirts “just like mom and dad.”  

At the recent 2026 Texas Beef Team retreat, the family was honored with the ‘Ultimate Active Family’ award for accomplishing the most Beef Team Kids activities in the previous year.  The impact of the kids being on the time has extended beyond Beef Team Kids activities. Sophie recently joined her school’s cross-country team after being inspired by her family runs.

“It’s great that running can be both a school sport and something you can just do for fun with your family,” Katie says.

Favorite Beef Team Memories

One of the family’s most cherished Beef Team memories didn’t involve crossing a finish line at all. Instead, volunteering has become a family highlight – and helping out at Buda Healthy Kids Running series is one of their favorites.

“It was so special to see our kiddos out there encouraging the other children to run and participate,” Katie recalls. “They were very eager to help out again the next week.”

Another unforgettable experience came while visiting Ben’s homeland in Australia. The family participated in a Parkrun 5K in Nuriootpa, South Australia.

“Running under the gum trees and past vineyards, seeing and hearing the pink galahs, while proudly wearing our Beef Team T-shirts was such a cool moment.”

Katie also points to her first Beef Team Retreat as a standout experience.

“The coolest part was that you could talk about triathlons, running, cycling, and other sports with anyone there. Even if you didn’t know someone, all you had to do was mention running and you were bound to have a great conversation.”

New Challenges Uploading

While Ben has been cycling since childhood, Katie has recently discovered a passion for triathlon.

Her favorite Beef Team-sponsored event was the 2025 Spa Girl Triathlon in Bastrop, where she completed her first-ever triathlon.

“It was such an amazing experience with such supportive women, most doing something we’d never done before in our lives,” she says. “It was such a feeling of euphoria at the end when I crossed the finish line and proved to myself that I really could run, bike, and swim consecutively.”

The momentum has continued. Later that same year, Katie completed her first half marathon in Galveston, followed by another half marathon in Austin just two weeks later. She has also completed two sprint triathlons and recently joined a masters swim club as she prepares for her first open-water triathlon this September.

When it comes to motivation and inspiration, ‘never quit,” jumps to mind. One race memory stands out as a perfect example of perseverance. During the Santa Hustle 5K in Galveston, Sophie began feeling ill shortly after the race started. By the halfway point, she didn’t think she could continue.

Instead of stopping, Katie carried her daughter on her back for the final mile and a half.

“It was a bit of a challenge to run with a 50-pound Sophie backpack,” Katie says, “but we made it!”

Beef on the Family Menu

At home, the Eckermanns enjoy gathering around the table for beef-centered meals.

Ben and Austin are quick to name the Chateaubriand Roast (the holiday Prime Cuts reward) and Texas-style BBQ Brisket among their favorites. Katie and Sophie give grilled Sirloin Steaks and Flank or Skirt Steak fajitas as top picks. Other put-on-repeat family dinners include Ground Beef tacos and beef burgundy pasta.

And while they don’t make them at home, everyone agrees on one Texas favorite: “Brisket breakfast tacos—we love to eat them!”

Austin has even picked up some valuable beef knowledge through the Beef Team.

“My son is especially proud that he can pick a good cut of meat at the grocery store,” Katie says. “Mom, just look at that marbling in the beef!”

Motivation for the Miles

Whether it’s chasing personal records, earning Beef Team points, or sporting the Beef Team jerseys, the entire family finds motivation in different ways. Katie also credits the support of a small workplace running group that challenges and inspires her to keep improving.

The family’s advice: “Just do it. And don’t judge a run by your first mile.”

With Katie preparing for her first open-water triathlon, Ben continuing his lifelong love of cycling, Austin balancing baseball and soccer, and Sophie excelling in cross-country and softball, the Eckermann family embodies what the Beef Team is all about: fueling active lifestyles, encouraging one another, and making fitness a family affair.

And their message to fellow Beef Team members is simple: “Go beef!”