Our Story

How Tragedy and Devotion Led to The Creation of SoulCore

The SoulCore story is really a faith journey from suffering to joy and call to mission.

Devastating loss led Colleen to a deeper devotion to the Blessed Mother, and eventually to the conception of SoulCore. She grew up in a close Irish, Catholic family, the fifth of six children. Tragedy hit her young family when her oldest brother died at the age of 15 when he was struck by lightning.

The death of Colleen’s brother inflicted a deep wound in all of her family’s hearts and was the catalyst that eventually led her father to alcoholism and second-oldest brother to drug addiction.

Even amidst their trials, her family home was filled with love, laughter; and the cornerstone was her mom, Marian’s, devout faith.  She was a witness of self-giving love, perseverance in adversity and trusting in God’s plan. In no small part to her mom’s years of unwavering faith and prayers, Colleen’s father & brother would each make miraculous recoveries from their addictions.

Marian’s faith was the spiritual glue that bound Colleen’s family together in suffering and in joy.  So it was utter heartbreak when her mom died suddenly & unexpectedly.  Then two months later as they still navigated through grief another cross was laid upon her family when her father and brother died together in an accident.

In her devastation, the rosary became a source of peace and healing.  Colleen’s devotion to the Blessed Mother deepened in a palpable way.  She began praying the rosary while running and found the combination a beautiful time of prayer integrating body & soul.  A friend suggested adding core exercise to her regimen and the inspiration to incorporate the rosary with core strengthening, functional movement was conceived.

Colleen shared the inspiration with her friend Deanne Miller, who shared a devotion to the Blessed Mother, and had a background in fitness instruction. As a teenager, Deanne had also experienced her own healing of body & soul through the combination of prayer and movement after struggling with disordered eating and excessive exercise. Together they began developing the program and SoulCore was born.  Interest in classes grew and beautiful testimony of participant experience shared. Encouraged by Immaculee Ilibagiza, Colleen & Deanne formally launched the movement, released the Joyful Mysteries dvd and opened the SoulCore Marian House studio, named in honor of our Blessed Mother and my beautiful mom, Marian.

SoulCore is now offered as youth, college & adult programs. SoulCore Discovery Retreats are offered to those discerning to become SoulCore Leaders, with the mission of  launching classes across the country and around the globe. SoulCore is an invitation to integrate body & soul in prayer while discovering the beauty of the rosary; a gentle path to grow in virtue and interior peace.

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About The SoulCore Logo

The SoulCore logo, the A intertwined with the M, symbolizes the Latin term “Auspice Maria” which means “Under the Protection of Mary.” We deepen our devotion to Jesus and Mary by praying the Rosary, helping us to remain aware that we are constantly under their guidance and protection.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS OF SOULCORE

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COLLEEN

Colleen grew up in a lively Irish Catholic family where faith was the cornerstone. Personal tragedy led Colleen to a deeper conversion in faith and discovery of the beauty and healing power of the rosary. Athletics had been a part of her life since she was young, but as an adult struggled to commit to an exercise routine. Through integrating the rosary with physical movement she found a sustainable path to nourish her body, mind & soul. Now her desire is to share it with everyone. She is an inspirational speaker and leads retreats throughout the United States. Her favorite role though, is that of wife & mother! You can reach Colleen at Colleen@soulcore.com

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DEANNE

Deanne is happily married to her husband, Mike, and the mother of 4 enthusiastic and joy-filled young adult children. She comes from a lively, large Greek family and was raised Greek Orthodox. Mike is a cradle Catholic and after the birth of their second child, Deanne converted to Catholicism for unity of their family. She saw it not as abandoning her rich Orthodox upbringing, but rather enhancing her relationship with Christ and Our Blessed Mother through the Catholic faith. The integration of prayer and movement was a catalyst in Deanne’s own healing journey in body & soul as a teenager. Fast forward to 2012, when Colleen received the inspiration to combine core strengthening & functional movement with the prayers of the rosary and reached out to Deanne to collaborate with her, Deanne’s response was an immediate YES!  She has personally experienced the transforming power of the rosary and is incredibly grateful for God’s generosity allowing her to share SoulCore with others around the globe. You can reach Deanne at Deanne@soulcore.com

Our Team

LEIGH MOORMAN
LEADER LIAISON

Leigh is a wife and mother of 3 daughters. She grew up in the South, graduating from Texas A&M University and LSU for her...

JULIE SCHNEIDER
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT & OUTREACH

Julie and her husband Joe have been married for 30 years and are blessed with four beautiful children, two sons and two daughters. Julie...

SYDNEY MILLER
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

Sydney is the oldest daughter of SoulCore Co-Founder, Deanne Miller and remembers when SoulCore was just a group of Colleen and Deanne’s friends gathering...

ALEXA MAGUINESS
GRAPHIC DESIGN

Alexa is the wife to Kyle and the mother to Alia and Ava. As a graphic designer, she loves bringing ideas and dreams to...

JAMIE ARION
MENTORSHIP

Jamie has been married to her best friend Rod for 35 years. They have one son Max, a true miracle. Jamie is a cradle...

DANIELLA POTTER
BLOG LEAD CONTRIBUTOR & INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR

Daniella has loved movement and challenging herself physically for as long as she can remember. SoulCore has brought a lot of healing in her...

STACY LIEVENS
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR

Stacy and her husband Troy are the proud parents of four amazing children. Stacy has been in the fitness industry since she was a...

KAREN HOSTOFFER
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR

Karen Hostoffer has been a SoulCore leader in Cleveland, OH since August of 2014. She has been married to her husband, Bob for 35...

NICKY VERNA
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR

Nicky Verna is a Catholic wife to her husband, Deacon Tom, and mother to four young adult children.  Nicky is a daily communicant and...

MOLLY TITTLE
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR

Molly is a proud mom to Holyn & William and happily married to Scott, who serves as the Executive Director for the National Center...