BTP | Joshua Appel | Pararescue Veteran | The MURPH | Part 1

BECOMING THE PROTAGONIST. Dr. Joshua Appel recalls his journey to becoming an elite PJ in the Air Force, his path to becoming an ER doctor, his connection to the Murph Challenge, and the incredible rescue of Lone Survivor Marcus Lutrell. 

About Josh: Appel served active duty from 1994-99 as a pararescue specialist in emergency medical tactics, as well as combat and survival skills, continuing on with the United States Air Force Combat Search and Rescue Squadron as a reservist throughout medical school. The rescue team that recovered lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell, was led by Appel.

Josh and the MURPH (from the Fit at Midlife site) : Hero WOD’s are usually programmed and set up in gyms, and it is a great opportunity to commemorate these heroes to instill and retell the stories of heroism and sacrifice. Murph was first registered on CrossFit’s Main Site on August 18th, 2005. No one can tell when exactly it became a tradition for gyms to program Murph on Memorial Day. But in 2007, Josh Appel, an Air Force pararescue jumper who headed the team that jumped to save LT. Murphy’s team, took the concept to his gym, Albany CrossFit, and the rest of the CrossFit community did the same. Ten years later, it’s an honorable tradition for gyms to close on Memorial Day, working only Murph as their workout, often accompanied by a barbecue or other community bonding event. #lonesurvivor #murphchallenge #becomingtheprotagonist