Residents of San Quentin’s Enhanced Outpatient Program teamed up on Memorial Day to complete a “hero workout” as part of a national event to honor a fallen military service member.
CrossFit clubs and enthusiasts across the country complete the event, known as the Murph Challenge, every year on Memorial Day.
Bringing the Murph Challenge to The Q’s EOP was the inspiration of Supervising Psychologist Dr. Farrell and Recreational Therapist Thompson as part of their initiative to promote mental health through physical fitness.
“Mental health isn’t just about going to groups and seeing your clinician. It’s about sunlight and moving your body,” said Dr. Farrell, who is a CrossFit enthusiast. She added that suffering through the same workout helps to bring people together.
Thompson, who played football at Western Michigan University and has worked with military veterans, said physical activity increases blood flow to the brain. This helps to decrease health risks and mental health symptoms.
“Workouts like this help to build resilience,” he added
On the crisp May morning, a diverse group of over 20 participants gathered under broken clouds on H-Unit’s yard to begin the Challenge — all races, ages, and varying degrees of ability were present.
Thompson, dressed in all black workout clothes, led the group in warm ups. He played the role of a friendly drill sergeant, his physique indicating he could probably still suit up for a game of football.
Mats were set up for pushups with bands on the fence for pull downs, while tunes played on a portable speaker. The group divided into two teams: Team Avengers, led by Thompson, and Team Justice League, led by Dr. Farrell.
The Challenge consisted of a 1-mile run, 100 lat-pulls, 200 pushups, 300 squats, and a final 1-mile run to finish, all as a team CrossFit-style. It may have been a record for the most people running on the H-Unit yard at the same time.
After completing a round of squats, participant Markkis Sonier, said, “It feels empowering. [It] gives us motivation to do more workouts, helps out for people to get along [and] brings people together.”
Jimmy Ching, who ran his laps with a form and vigor of a track star, said he was really looking forward to the event, planned since March.
“It’s helping me to increase my stamina, gets my body moving again. It definitely helps with mental health too — mind, body, and soul,” he said.
Another participant, Gilbert Hignojoz, said he was glad to see people coming together and participating. “I felt good about myself physically and mentally for completing the Challenge. We should come together and do more things like this,” he said.
The Murph Challenge name honors Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, killed in 2005 in action in Afghanistan at 29 years old. He had turned down law school to enlist and instead became a Navy SEAL, nicknamed “The Protector.” He had earned the nickname as a kid when he established a reputation for sticking up to bullies and protecting the less fortunate.
Participant Jarvis “King Wuan” McMillan got emotional when contemplating the meaning of the event.
“I think that [Lieutenant] Murphy was a good Navy SEAL, and we did a good job honoring his workout and his name,” McMillan said. “I’d like to think I got what it takes to be a Navy SEAL, but honoring his name is what’s important at the end of the day. It’s been a good way to get our bodies back in shape and get our minds operating and focused.”
—Will Harris contributed to this article.
