With the clang of barbell plates and the whir of elliptical machines hanging in the air, a high school kid made his way over to D.J. Sutfin at a gym in central Iowa. He had a goal: he wanted to knock out The Murph Challenge, the grueling, CrossFit-style workout named in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL who died in combat operations in Afghanistan in 2005 before posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor — the first sailor awarded the medal since Vietnam.
“You could tell deep down inside of him he was motivated to do it; however, he was nervous at the same time because of breathing complications and anxiety,” said Sutfin, a Marine Corps veteran who co-founded Brother’s Keeper Outdoors apparel company with another Marine he had met downrange. Sutfin has hosted a local Murph Challenge for several years in Montezuma, Iowa, where he works in law enforcement. And he wasn’t about to let breathing complications keep this kid from proving to himself what he was capable of.
“Hosting an event that brings all walks of life together for a common goal is powerful,” Sutfin said.
The day of the event in 2023, the high schooler showed up, “extremely nervous” but having put in the work. As some of the CrossFit diehards began completing the event, Sutfin noticed the boy was only about halfway through. So, he jumped in alongside him to buoy his spirits.
“He pushed himself to his limit and had to walk his final lap,” Sutfin said. “(But) he had given it his absolute all and proved himself right that he could complete it.”
The Murph — movement
Usually held as a fundraising challenge around Memorial Day weekend, The Murph — as it’s affectionately known — starts with a 1-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats, and closes out with another 1-mile run, with participants sometimes donning a weighted vest.
What began as a way to honor the sacrifice and life of Murphy has grown into a movement. Today, The Murph Challenge is the official fundraiser for the LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, founded by Murphy’s parents in 2007.
“(The) Foundation now awards 43 scholarships each year amounting to one-quarter million dollars in awards, along with an additional contribution made to the LT Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum,” said Dan Murphy, Lt. Murphy’s father, in a letter to 2025 Murph Challenge participants. “The museum honors the legacies of SEALs and educates future generations,” which, according to the Murphys, is in keeping with their son’s love of learning. His favorite quote: “Education will set you free.”
Memorial Day weekend event
Sutfin and his fellow Iowans will join hundreds of other Murph Challenge events dotted across the States — and even overseas. Sutfin’s event starts with a reading about Murphy’s service, a moment of silence, and the National Anthem — driving home why they’re doing what they’re doing.
“Overall, this event is centered around Lt. Michael P. Murphy,” Sutfin said. “But it also sends participants and spectators home with a sense of pride, belonging, and camaraderie … which makes for stronger homes and communities.”
Learn more about The Murph Challenge at https://themurphchallenge.com and support the LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation at https://murphfoundation.org.
